My Sister's Wedding
著者
Kelsie Tate
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🔥12.9M
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36
Tatum is a ruthless billionaire who avoids his family...until his sister decides to get married. When he finds an escort to be his wedding date, he doesn’t expect to fall for her—or that meeting Piper will change his life forever.
Bad Ideas
TATE
“Yes, Mother, I’ll be there on time,” I assured her, rolling my eyes as I held the wedding invitation between my fingers. “No, I promise. My flight gets in at two.”
My mother’s voice was loud and insistent on the other end of the phone, and I couldn’t help but sigh. “Yes, yes. Goodbye, Mother.”
I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the desk, leaning back in my chair. I tried to focus on work, but my mind kept drifting back to the wedding. My relationship with my family was complicated, to say the least. I loved my sister, but the thought of attending her wedding and the two weeks of parties and events that followed was overwhelming.
To make matters worse, my sister had invited the entire family to join her on her honeymoon in the Maldives. Who did that? According to my mother, it was mandatory for all of us to attend.
I considered making up an excuse, telling them that a work emergency had come up and I would have to leave right after the wedding. But I knew my mother would never let it go. She would bring it up every chance she got, using it as ammunition to make me feel guilty or to get what she wanted.
And then there were the inevitable questions from family and acquaintances about when I would get married, when I would have children, and how my life was going. Not to mention the random people offering to set me up with their daughter or niece.
“If only I had a date,” I mumbled to myself. “No, a date would require actual attention…”
Suddenly, a crazy idea popped into my head. I opened my laptop and searched for agencies based out of Boston. After some research, I found what I was looking for and sent an email to the agency’s director, explaining my situation. Within minutes, I received a response telling me to expect a call within the hour to discuss specifics.
Deciding that this conversation was better had in the privacy of my own home, I left the office and headed to my penthouse apartment. As soon as I stepped inside and loosened my tie, my phone rang.
“Tate Young,” I answered curtly.
“Mr. Young, my name is Edna Smith. I’m calling from Advantage Incorporated. I must say, I was quite surprised to receive your email requesting our services. I can’t imagine you having any trouble finding a date for this event.”
I huffed in annoyance. Sure, I’d been voted most eligible bachelor a few times, but that wasn’t the point.
“Look, Ms. Smith,” I replied. “Finding a date isn’t the problem. I just don’t want to deal with a real date and her real expectations. I need someone to fill the role, to make my family back off so I can get through this wedding as painlessly as possible. Can you do that, or do I need to look elsewhere?”
“No, no, sir,” she responded quickly. “We would be more than happy to help you out. Now, can you give me an idea of what you’re looking for?”
I explained that I needed someone who didn’t look like an obvious escort, someone with class who could keep up with the high-end events and top-tier guests. “She needs to be able to make educated conversation and use the right damn fork at dinner,” I finished, pinching the bridge of my nose in irritation.
“Well, sir, all of my associates have class,” Edna replied bluntly. “I do have a few in mind for you. What about looks? You will want someone you are attracted to, yes?”
I sat down on the couch and closed my eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be sleeping with this woman. I don’t pay for sex. All I need is a date who can believably be my girlfriend. I don’t need some girl getting sloppy at the wedding.”
“I understand, but Mr. Young, if you don’t give me a general idea of looks, I can’t successfully match you with someone,” she said, her voice tinged with irritation.
I thought about Jamie, my ex, with her long blonde hair and slender frame. “Not a blonde,” I said firmly.
“I have the perfect girl in mind,” Edna said, her voice brightening. I could practically hear her grin through the phone. “I’ll send you the price breakdown and her information before tomorrow.”
“Fine. Thank you,” I replied before hanging up. I sank back onto the couch, wondering what I’d gotten myself into. “This is a stupid idea,” I muttered, pacing the apartment and talking myself into and out of the plan several times.
When I finally received the email with the bill, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” The price was astronomical, but I paid the first half as a deposit. I didn’t even pay my lawyer that much.
“Well, there’s no going back now,” I mumbled, resigned to my decision.
