I offered Jenna the bathroom first, and as she stepped inside, I beamed—thrilled all over again to know I had these two women in my life. We were closer than friends. They could have had their own rooms, but they felt the connection, too, and had opted to stay with me.
After a few minutes Jenna strolled out of the bathroom and collapsed on the bed, pulling one of the pillows over her head. I left her there, hoping she’d sleep a bit more. It was barely eight, so she had some time. We’d planned the ceremony for eleven in yet another attempt to beat the paparazzi.
I set myself up in the beautiful tub and soaked in warm water until I heard a knock on the door.
“Time to hop out, honey,” Kate said. “We have to get you all gussied up.”
I stepped out of the tub, laughing softly at Kate’s word choice. She typically did it with a smirk and a wink because her Texan vernacular drove Rye wild. Maybe I’d pick some up to see if it had the same impact on Nash.
I stepped out of the bathroom wearing my wedding undergarments and wrapped in a red silk robe—a gift from Nash. My dress was laid out on the bed, and a plate of food sat next to the small Victorian vanity tucked near one set of bay windows.
“Eat up,” Kate said around her last bite of pastry. “I’m hopping in the shower. Then we’ll wake Ms. Bedhead over there.”
I sipped the tea—an herbal Steve had brought for me—and ate the delicate raspberry and white chocolate muffin, letting the flavors linger.
After a while Kate strolled out in a thick, white bathrobe and prodded Jenna to her feet. Jenna stumbled down the hall to another bedroom where she planned to get ready.
“Have you seen Nash?” I asked.
Kate nodded. “He’s downstairs, pacing. Cam and Rye are out on the property with Maddox, Bridger, and Jax.”
“Oh? Did Bridger bring a date?”
Kate shook her head.
“Huh. I wonder what happened to the woman from Nepal. They were thicker than thieves.”
“Maybe Bridger didn’t think this was the time to introduce her to all his friends.”
I let it go for now. I’d get the full story later.
Kate had wrapped my thick hair in rags last night to give it more wave. She began the process of removing the strips of cloth, cooing over the fat curls falling around my shoulders. I devoured a second muffin and finished my cup of tea before she finished braiding the sides and twirling certain strands back.
“I should have been a hairdresser,” she crowed. “Now, let’s get you in the dress.”
10
Nash
“Buying an island is pretentious,” Bridger said from his seat next to me.
“It’s smart,” Jax offered without his usual smile. “Gives you the privacy you need to actually live your life.”
Bridger seemed gloomy, but I’d touch base on that later, after Ay wore my ring and had my name.
Cam settled next to me on the deep leather sofa. “You nervous?” he asked.
“Only that the day won’t be perfect.”
“No wedding’s perfect.” Rye stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankle. He wore argyle socks under his gray morning suit. I’d gotten the idea from that show the girls liked to watch on Netflix. The one with all pretty gowns and hot sex. I wished Aya’d wanted to watch it with me, but I’d get back at her by giving her even better orgasms on the stairs. Yeah, I’d watched that scene. It was hot. I smirked at the thought.
Cam nodded, jiggling his son when the baby fretted. “Jenna had a near meltdown because she forgot her vows. I got to say ’em twice.” He shrugged.
“And Kate’s train-thingy ripped,” Rye added. “She was so upset. Can’t tell in the photos.”
“And I cut the cake too soon,” Ike piped up. “But it was okay because my mama Kate gave me the first bite.”
“Sure did,” Rye said with a smile. “But today…” He raised his eyebrows.
“I wait for the bride and groom,” Ike said, shoulders sagging.
“Good man.” Cam rose from the couch and headed toward the windows. Cash settled down, enjoying something outside.
“I’m going to have one of those soon,” I murmured, grinning. I couldn’t wait.
“Get a nanny,” Ike said.
Rye looked over at him, eyebrows raised. “What?”
Ike shrugged. “Makes it easier to transition from no kids to kids. That’s what Cam said.”
“Sure did,” Cam said. “Best decision we made. Jenna gets to sleep more than none.”
Fuck, we need a nanny? Who was I going to trust with my kid?
“You boys ready?” Steve asked from the door. He tugged at his dove gray waistcoat and twisted his neck.
Cam chuckled as he strolled over. “Not the same as a dress uniform, is it?”
Steve nodded. “Those can be worse.”
Cam slapped him on the back. “It’s the little things.” He winked at me. “Rye’s got the rings for Ike, but I have the other thing.” He patted his breast pocket.
Ike was the ring bearer, but he’d told me in all seriousness that he didn’t feel comfortable carrying the pieces of jewelry that would bind Aya and me on a pillow. “That seems like an accident waiting to happen.” He’d blinked up at me from behind those thick glasses, and I’d fucking melted into goo.
So, he and Aya had designed a small, metal box in the shape of a guitar. It had a lid and a lock, ensuring Ike didn’t lose our rings. I liked that Aya still fashioned items she wanted to create without feeling pressure to take courses she had no interest in. We’d found a balance, not a perfect one, but a good one—one I hoped we’d maintain even after the baby.
I stepped outside and took my place at the wooden arch covered in the pink and red flowers Aya loved, flanked by Cam as my best man, Hugh, Jax, Bridger, and Maddox. I shook hands with the minister we’d flown out here this morning. Then I stood there, calm. More than ready.
My gaze swept over the rows of friends and family with us. Not many—we’d kept our wedding as small as possible. Mama Grace sat in the front row, beaming, before she had to disengage baby Cash’s fist from her corsage.
Aya’s father and stepmother sat with arms crossed, looking like they’d just smelled dogshit. The stepsisters seemed okay. They were wide-eyed and whispering behind their hands in excited voices when Asher Smith settled his wife, Dahlia, next to her daughter and our friend, Abbi Rippey. Aya and Asher still chatted about books.
Aya hadn’t invited many people, reminding me how alone she’d been these past few years. That was part of why she’d included her father and his wife in the end, but mostly I think she didn’t want to hurt her half-sisters’ feelings.
I’d do everything I could to make sure she was surrounded by friends from now on. Starting with me.
Jenna walked down the back porch steps first. She wore a rose-colored gown with a high waist, and no one would know she’d had a baby mere months before. Kate came next in a blush-colored dress—at least that’s what Aya had called it—that complemented her red hair. And then, the music changed. I glanced over, a small smile on my lips as Abbi’s husband, my buddy Clay, winked. He and his band played the instrumental I’d composed for Aya—a bit like Le Mer and “Canon in D” but softer, more intricate. More beautiful. Like my relationship with the woman who’d just stepped out the back door on Steve’s arm.