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)
But the dress was so exquisite, it didn’t need the drama of a long train. The lower sleeves were see-through tulle with more bits of appliqué. And the neckline was wide and plunging, daring yet somehow innocent, showcasing her elegant throat and collarbone and exposing the curves at the sides of her breasts and her skin down to her midriff.
Her hair was parted in the middle and arranged in an extravagant chignon at the base of her neck, a white veil tucked into the top of it floating down and trailing slightly beyond the train of her gown.
She wore only pearl studs at her ears, but she didn’t need any other jewelry. The dress and the effusive froth of her all-white bouquet did all the work.
I heard Genny’s quiet sob and tore my gaze from Chloe and Tom to see Mika had moved to her and they were holding hands.
They timed it perfectly (as they would, I was there the night before when they practiced repeatedly, but Chloe had used another song, obviously wanting to surprise Judge with the extravagance of this moment). So she and Tom arrived at the altar in time for the artists to still be performing when Tom gave her a tight hug and kiss on her cheek then took a step away.
The music faded to Genny rising and moving to the aisle to stand with Tom, and Jamie doing the same.
The pastor asked us all to sit, and after we did, she called, “Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?”
“I do,” Genny answered.
“I do,” Tom said after she spoke.
“And who gives this man to be wed to this woman?” the pastor asked.
“I do,” Jamie said.
Oh my God!
This was all so perfect, I was going to lose it.
“Thank you. You can be seated.”
Jamie moved back to his chair and Tom led Genny to hers, then sat between her and Mika.
I looked to Hale to see his eyes were on me, and I mouthed, “We are so totally doing that.”
I watched his chest shake with his laughter.
But he then had to turn away from me and pay attention to what was going on.
Chloe had handed her bouquet to Sasha, she’d taken hold of Judge.
And the ceremony that sealed their love was about to begin.
“So, does Tom have to go back to tennis to pay for this?” I asked.
“No, but Genny had to sign on for another season of The Next Life to swing it,” Hale answered.
I giggled, because that day was a day for giggling, for certain.
Night had fallen.
We were sitting in pretty mauve chairs at a round table under the ethereal overhang that twinkled with the fairy lights. The table had been cleared of dishes and the dinner tablecloth swept away, a clean one replacing it, the sumptuous floral centerpiece and tealights dancing in crystal holders returned to their rightful places.
Dinner was done, and Hale had his arm stretched along the back of my chair. I was leaning into his side, head on his shoulder, hand on his thigh.
“Warning, this is so magnificent, I’m hiring Chloe as my wedding planner,” I informed him.
Hale shifted in a way I lifted my head and turned to him.
He was looking down at me, and his expression was not lighthearted.
“I’ll build you a glass platform in the middle of the ocean if that’s where you want to marry me.”
He meant that, my amazing man.
I stopped leaning into Hale’s side so I could press my front to his, and I curled my fingers at the side of his neck. “I’d be happy, just you and me and Cheddar and Frosty in front of the view from the windows in your living room.”
“Our living room.”
Yes, our.
I slid my hand up to his cheek and he dipped down to kiss me.
He lifted and turned his head when he sensed something going on, and we both watched as Judge led Chloe to the dance floor.
The overskirt was gone, Chloe’s dress was now a stunning column. Her veil had also been removed, and a few white, sweetheart roses had been tucked in at one side of her chignon.
Judge pulled her into his arms, she rested her hands on his chest, and he’d already started them swaying before we heard the strings that introduced Peter Gabriel’s “The Book of Love.”
When Chloe recognized it, her face turned pink and scrunched a little to fight back the tears, but she lost the fight and shoved her face in Judge’s neck.
I had to grab Hale’s hand and hold it tight as we watched the couple do nothing but sway, her face in his neck, his lips to her ear, and I saw his mouth move as he sang the words along with Peter to his new wife.
It was on a sway I noticed her right hand slide up closer to Judge’s shoulder, and she was wearing a beautiful, sparkling set of wedding rings there.