Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 135847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Duncan’s ridiculously good-looking sons, Sullivan and Gage, were acting as ushers, and Gage was at the top of the aisle when I arrived.
“I think I’m Chloe’s side,” I noted, taking hold of his arm.
“I know where you go,” he replied.
“I hope you don’t have allergies,” I quipped as we walked down the aisle that had a planter bursting with flowers at the end of each row, not to mention, the altar had eight plinths, four on each side, each topped with massive urns sporting huge bouquets.
And then there was the square arch that was so thick with flowers, it was a miracle of construction.
“Coco went loco. She also went local. The florist is one of my bud’s moms. She said she can retire now and buy the boat she always wanted,” Gage joked in return.
I was laughing as he walked me right up to the very front, and motioned to a chair four seats from the aisle.
I looked anxiously at him. “Gage, I don’t—”
“Coco’s decree, and hear me now, thank me later, you don’t go against Coco.”
I nodded dazedly at him and sat, my hands trembling a little bit because of what my placement said.
It wasn’t about the people sitting there watching me being seated in the family section.
It wasn’t that I didn’t know who I was to Hale (I totally did).
It was the indication of acceptance from Hale’s family.
It was nerve-wracking, but still, it felt great.
Not long later, Tom and Mika showed, and with a peck on her lips and a smile at me before he left her, Mika sat next to me.
“How are things in the inner sanctum?” I whispered.
“Chaotic.” She shrugged. “This is Chloe. Out here, smooth, tranquil and perfect, in there, drama.”
This confused me. “Is something going wrong?”
“She’s marrying the love of her life. It’s the happiest you’ll ever be, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t overwhelming.”
I bet that was the truth.
As if on cue, the men started lining up at the altar, and my gaze went there.
Rix was Judge’s best man, and he led the pack. After Rix came Matt, then Duncan, Hale, Sullivan, and finally, Gage.
Once Hale settled in his place, his eyes found me, and we exchanged looks, but of course, Hale being Hale, his included mouthing the word, “Beautiful.”
I blew him a kiss.
Jamie then came down the aisle with Nora, and they sat at the front on the other side.
Judge walked down next, and he escorted Genny.
And…wow, she looked gorgeous, but he looked amazing.
He looked like how I felt inside.
Happy and in love.
And hella nervous.
Judge gave Genny a hug, moved to Mika and bent to give Mika one. He smiled distractedly at me (I took no offense), and then he walked across the aisle.
Jamie stood, and father and son hugged for a long time before they let go. Judge then bent to kiss Nora’s cheek, and after that, he took his place at the altar.
The men were all wearing charcoal gray, three-piece tuxedos, except Judge, who was in a startlingly cool tux which was so deep green it was nearly black, the buttons on the jacket, vest and the lapels a coordinating satin.
Trust Chloe Pierce to pick an interesting, stylish tux for her man.
I made a mental note of how well this worked.
Finally, the wedding procession began, and with the accompaniment of two violinists at either end of the plinths of flowers playing a beautiful song I didn’t know, Chloe’s friend Tiffany started the parade of bridesmaids, she was followed by Cadence, then Dru (Judge’s sister), then Alex, then Mi-Young (Chloe’s best friend), and finally Sasha.
They were all in shades of mauve, starting dark, and in a human ombré effect, Sasha’s dress was the color of the flowers.
Suddenly, the two violinists were joined by a full orchestra that was sounding from behind us, and we all stood and turned as Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” began to play.
When I looked toward the house, I noticed that not only had the orchestra set up, a full choir was now there, and the minute they started singing, Chloe and Tom appeared at the far side of the house.
I nearly started laughing, because, drama, indeed.
No wonder it took forever for this wedding to happen.
It was drama, class and pure beauty.
All of a sudden, I wasn’t fighting laughter because I’d started fighting tears.
Tom was visibly doing the same, as was Chloe, who was so laser focused on Judge, I hoped Tom was in a state to guide both their way or this perfection was going to kick off with the bride taking a header off the decking.
She was wearing a startlingly magnificent gown made of tiny, appliquéd white flowers that were dense at bodice, upper arms and hips, but then they faded out with only a few dancing against layers of the nude tulle that made up her column skirt. There was an overskirt draping down the back and sides with the same appliqué. It flared out at the bottom in a modest train.