Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“Great. It’ll be easier with the two of us. We can grab flowers and all the other important things we’ll need. How does that sound?” She directs the question at Callie and Fee.
“Do I get to wear a fancy princess dress?” Callie is all enthusiasm.
“You sure do,” Dred replies.
“Sounds good to me.” Fee nods, eyes wide.
“Perfect. We’ll have a great time.” Aurora taps away on her phone. “Dad, when we get home, we’ll take your tux down to get steamed and your shoes polished.” She adds that to her list. “Lexi, after practice the five of us will get you a dress off the rack, and I’ll make hair appointments. While we’re doing that, Dad, you can take Hollis with you to pick out an engagement ring and wedding bands.”
Hollis returns, phone still in hand. “How is four o’clock at city hall tomorrow?”
I look to Roman.
“Does that give you enough time to do everything?” he asks.
“I have to defer to Aurora on this, because I have no idea.”
“We’ll make it work,” she promises.
Hollis squeezes her shoulder. “Four works. Thanks. We’ll see you then.” He ends the call. “You’ll be married tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 35
LEXI
“Lexi! You should see our dresses! They’re so pretty. And we went for lunch, and I had sushi, but not the raw fish. Did you know not all sushi is raw fish? They have a roll with sweet potato in it, and it’s really yummy. And I had green tea ice cream and red bean ice cream, and I like them both! Ice cream with beans in it! Isn’t that funny?”
“Sorry. She maybe had some of Fee’s cola while I wasn’t looking.” Aurora gives me an apologetic smile.
“I was also not paying attention. We were very dress focused this morning,” Dred adds.
“No apologies necessary. Thank you both for doing this. I know we’re throwing a lot at you, and I sincerely appreciate all your help.” Marrying Roman today feels like it’s the best roller coaster I’ve ever been on. In a matter of hours, he’ll be my husband. We’ll be starting our future together. Even under these less than ideal circumstances, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I need to use the bathroom,” Callie announces.
Fee glances at me. “I’ll take her.”
“I’ll come too,” Dred offers.
Aurora waits until they’re out of earshot before she asks, “How are you doing? How was practice?”
“Practice was okay. The anxiety was something else. But now I’m excited and a little nervous. I’m also so grateful for your support today.”
“You’re making a big decision under a lot of pressure.” Aurora’s smile is empathetic, with a hint of worry.
“I know. I’m in love with your dad, though.” He’s the only person who’s ever made me feel like I truly belonged. “He sees me in a way no one else ever has. And it’s not just that we have the same passion for hockey. It’s so much more. Until he came into my life, I didn’t know what it felt like to be so completely loved, or to love so deeply. I feel like I finally understand the concept of a soulmate and that I’ve found mine in him.”
“I believe you.” She pulls me in for a hug. “And I know he feels the same way about you. I can see it on his face every time he says your name. He wouldn’t do this if he wasn’t sure. I have faith in his decisions. Even his accidents tend to have positive results.”
She winks and we both chuckle.
“How are you and Hollis?” I’ve been worried about it all day. “I’m sorry I put Roman in this position where he couldn’t be honest with you. I know how important you are to him.”
Aurora gives me another squeeze and waves it away. “Oh, we’re fine. I was…shocked, and a little hurt at first, but mostly my reaction came from a place of deep understanding. Because I did that to my dad last year—kept things from him out of what felt like necessity at the time but was mostly based on fear. Your situation is different, but it hits the same emotions. I expressed my feelings about it, and Hollis listened, and we talked it through. I know this is a precarious position for you. It has the power to be divisive. But I won’t let hurt feelings interfere with my dad’s happiness or my relationship with him.”
“How are you only twenty-one?”
She smiles softly. “Almost twenty-two, actually. But I grew up in this world, and my dad is a huge believer in the benefit of therapy, so I’ve spent a lot of time talking about and understanding my feelings. That’s not to say I haven’t had my struggles. Falling for my dad’s best friend was a challenge. I worried about the impact it would have on our relationship, but also on his relationship with his teammates, and with Hollis. We’re mostly okay now, but it’s taken some time.” There’s so much compassion in her eyes. “My dad wouldn’t promise you forever if he didn’t mean it, and he wouldn’t choose someone who didn’t love him back with the same ferocity. He loves hard and so do you, I see it with your sisters, with your dedication to the team. I know the circumstances are a challenge, and that this is a solution, but I also know it’s about much more than that. You’re protecting each other because that’s what partners do.”