Wedding Haters (Event to Remember Series-Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her
tonight. In addition to her last minute request for cookies, she
informed me that she took it upon herself to invite Grandmother to
dinner and she accepted. I considered calling in sick to dinner,
but I decided to just suck it up and take what comes.
    After nine hours straight on my feet, I
arrive at my soon-to-be in-laws’ home. I absolutely adore their
house. It’s something you would see out of a Pottery Barn catalog,
probably because almost everything in it is from a Pottery Barn
catalog. Everything is bright, cheerful, and perfectly decorated,
not even one throw pillow is out of place. When Cole’s parents
bought the house, it was in shambles. They completely gutted it and
remodeled from ceilings to floors.
    As I said, Susan is your typical matriarch
hosting parties, cooking fabulous dinners, and organizing family
gatherings. She threw us a beautiful engagement party a few months
back. Sienna and Craig nicknamed her June Cleaver and that’s not
far from the truth. Don’t get me wrong, I really love her and she’s
always been so nice to me. I, however, have never seen her without
makeup or in anything other than designer clothing. Before I go
inside, I check myself in the mirror. I always feel that I need to
look my best when I come over here, and with my grandmother
attending tonight, that need is magnified.
    Cole is already there when I arrive. He’s
sitting in his mother’s massive kitchen devouring some of her
delicious cooking. Have I mentioned that Susan is an amazing cook?
I feel like I gain at least five pounds every time I come here. Of
course, that’s an exaggeration, but it’s probably not too far off.
My grandmother has not arrived yet, so that gives me a few minutes
to gather my thoughts.
    “Madison, you look wonderful as always.”
Susan greets me with kisses on both cheeks and a warm hug. Cole
gets up from his chair, grabs me, and swings me around in the
air.
    “She always looks perfect!” he exclaims. “Way
too good for me.” He kisses me passionately and sets me back down
on the ground.
    “Oh, honey, these cookies are perfect!” Susan
says happily as she looks in the box. “You’re so talented.” I can
feel the relief wash over me because she is happy with them. Even
though I’ve made countless cookies for her, I still get a little
nervous every time. After all, no woman wants to disappoint her
soon-to-be mother-in-law. I thank her and sit down with Cole at the
table.
    “I’m so glad your grandmother was able to
make it tonight, and it will be so nice to finally meet your
cousins,” Susan says as she is stirring something on the stove. I’m
about to say something…um, what did she just say?
    “Wait! What do you mean meet my cousins?” I
yell louder than I intended.
    “Your grandmother is bringing your cousins
along. It’s so wonderful that we will get to meet more of your
family members, and I was so happy to hear that they’ve joined the
wedding party.”
    “They’re coming tonight? Here? I, um, I
didn’t know that.” I hesitate and try to lower my voice. I think I
might pass out. I’m just so tired that I don’t know if I’m mentally
prepared to deal with the three of them. I excuse myself and run to
the bathroom with Cole following me.
    “Mads, are you OK?” he asks worriedly.
    “I think so; I just wasn’t expecting to see
them tonight,” I reply. “You haven’t met them yet and they can be .
. . well, they can be completely evil,” I explain. “I promise I’m
not exaggerating. I just hope that they’re on their best behavior
and that they don’t make a scene at my expense.”
    “They better not; you know that I always have
your back,” he insists as he cradles my face in his hands. At that
moment, I feel my nerves calm a little.
    “Thank you.” I give him a warm kiss and wrap
my arms around his neck.
    “Although, I have to tell you that I’m really
excited to finally meet the wicked stepsisters. You aren’t wearing
any of their clothes are