Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

it.”
    A choking noise could be heard from the living room at the elopement idea. Evidently Jennifer was hoping for a big event, something right up her alley. Well, Erica thought , if she wants such a big event, I’m going to make her be in charge of getting it set up!
    So that is what the problem is, Kevin thought to himself. He had been a little worried she was having second thoughts about marrying him. Okay, now that it was out in the open, he could fix this one, or at least he thought he could.
    “First of all, we will be spending the day together. I have no problem driving my favorite two ladies around while they shop. Second, I like the sound of your elopement plan.” He stopped there and grinned, knowing his sister would be unable to keep quiet about her displeasure of this. Ten seconds later both he and Erica heard her coughing loudly. He chuckled. He knew his sister well!
    “But, as much as the idea of elopement sounds fun, my mother would never forgive us. And unfortunately, as prominent as our family is, she is probably going to want to throw something big. We’ll just make them do all the work since they are the ones wanting to throw such a big event, will that work for you?”
    Erica smiled up at him. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sure,” he replied honestly.
    “I am assuming you are planning to pay for our wedding. Before I let someone,” Erica paused and motioned with her head towards the door that led into the living room, “go hog wild, I need to know if it is going to put us in debt.”
    He gave her a grin until he realized he had never fully opened up to her about their finances. And yes, it was theirs, because she had agreed to be his wife. In his book, whatever was his now equally belonged to her, also.
    He leaned over the table a bit until his nose was practically touching hers. “No, we will not be in debt for this wedding.” He paused for a second, and then grinned before asking. “You don’t plan on getting married once a week for the next thirty years, do you?”
    “No. Once is enough for me. Where did that come from?” Erica asked, now clearly confused.
    “I’m just stating that you could have the wedding of your dreams once a week for the next thirty years, and I doubt you could bankrupt us,” he replied with a chuckle.
    “Oh,” she answered with a gulp. It was the only thing she could get out of her mouth. She had known all along he had money, but it really wasn’t her business to dig into his finances, so she never asked. “Like I said, there is nothing to fret about. And since we haven’t done it yet, how about when we get home I go over all of our finances with you so you know where we stand, okay? I never meant to leave you in the dark on it.” He paused and simply stared at Erica, as another thought went through his head.
    “Erica, is this something that was a problem with Shawn? Did he lose his temper over financials?”
    “No not really,” Erica answered honestly, but with a shudder going down her spine. “I just never knew where we stood, and I was always careful to never give him the chance to blow up over financials. I never spent money unless I absolutely had to.”
    “Okay, good. You have nothing to fear from me, baby. Spend as much as you need or want. If we ever run into a problem, I promise we will both sit down and discuss it like adults. Now, can I allow my sister back in here, so you two can get ready to go shopping with my famous limitless credit card she is dying to get her hands onto?” Kevin inquired with a wry grin on his face.
    “Sure, but what are you going to do all day while we shop? Isn’t it going to get boring for you waiting on us all day long?”
    “Kevin can find a seat and read while we shop,” Jennifer stated as she breezed in the door. “Well, I’m glad to hear the two of you worked things out.”
    Thirty minutes later the three were on the way to the dress shop. As they walked in, the lady standing behind the counter exclaimed, “Ms. Jennifer! I haven’t seen you in ages! How are you?”
    “I’m fine, Marge, and you?” Jennifer responded.
    “Oh, business as usual.” The other lady laughed, and then gave a pointed look at Erica and Kevin. “Have you brought me new customers?”
    “Marge, this is my brother, Kevin, and his fiancée, Erica. And yes, we are going to be shopping for Erica today,” Jennifer announced excitedly.
    “Okay, go ahead and start looking around. I need to finish up with this