No Strings Attached

Clara groggily crawled out of bed, her eyes barely open, muttering, "So early? I haven't had nearly enough sleep."

Casey stroked his daughter's hair affectionately and said with a chuckle, "Well, it's almost nine o'clock, darling. The wedding party will be here soon, and you've still got to have breakfast and get your makeup done. Time's gonna be tight."

Still half-asleep, Clara stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom. When she emerged, she spotted a fluffy little head peering in through the doorway.

Orin was all dressed up in a crisp little white suit with a black bow tie, his curly locks styled to perfection.

His eyes were wide with curiosity. He scampered around the room until he caught sight of Clara coming out of the bathroom. Immediately, he toddled over, craning his neck to look up at her. "Clara, aren't I looking sharp today?"

Clara crouched down to his level, eyeing him up and down, and nodded with a smile, "Orin, you're definitely the most handsome little man today."

lan?" Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

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should marry me, Clara. I'm more handsome than Uncle lan, and I'll

kiss on his forehead and giggled. "Sweetheart, you're just too cute. When you grow up, you're going to find a girl

"Pretty like Della? Clara, I've got a

in close to Clara's ear, his breath warm. In a hushed voice, he confided, "I like Della, and she likes me too. She always smiles at me. Do you think I could marry her when I'm grown up?" Clara's eyes widened in surprise.

his neck, and said, "I

slept a wink all night, partly from excitement and partly because his buddies had thrown him a bachelor party at his place, which went

heart thumping non-stop at the thought of spending the rest of his life with