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)
“That I’m getting married and I haven’t even told my dad. And you haven’t told your mom.” I put the phone on speaker and set it on the bed as I run my hands over my dress.
“My mom is on a two-month cruise, and she’ll be ecstatic that I’m not single anymore. But we will have a proper wedding in the summer, with all our friends and your dad in attendance. And if he needs to have words with me for marrying you without asking his blessing first, I’ll gladly accept his wrath,” he says as I loosen the corset. “How does that sound?”
“Like you know exactly what to say to calm me,” I whisper.
“Good. Later I’ll wind you right up. Sound like a plan?”
I laugh. “Sounds like a wonderful plan.”
“I think so, too. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Okay. I love you.”
“With all my heart. Deep breaths, angel. We’re almost there.”
There’s a pause before I say something scarier than even those three little words. “Marrying you feels like a dream I was too afraid to hope for. You make me feel like I’m the most precious thing in the world. I never worry you’ll disregard me or prioritize something else above me. I’ve never had that before, Roman. I’ve never had someone love me the way you do. You are the most caring, wonderful man I’ve ever met, and that I get to give you my heart is the best gift in the world.”
His breath comes heavy through the line. “You were always meant to be mine. I was always meant to be yours. I love every part of you, and I’ve never felt so wholly loved in return. I can’t wait to be your partner in this life.”
“Same. See you soon?” My eyes burn as I think about the man I’m about to call husband.
“I’ll be there.”
We end the call, and I step into my dress, then call Dred in to help me lace it up.
“You are absolutely radiant.” Dred ties a bow at the base of my spine for a second time today, then helps me with my shoes before she opens the door.
Callie comes bounding in, her poofy dress swishing and curls bobbing. “Oh wow! You look like a princess, Lexi!”
Aurora gives me a soft smile. “You are beautiful.”
“You really are.” Fee’s chin wobbles. “I wish Mom were here to see you.”
That’s one thought I’ve been shoving down all day. I miss her, and I wish she was here to fuss over my hair or my lipstick. “Me, too, honey.” I open my arms, and my sisters fall into them.
Dred pulls a tissue from her purse and dabs under my eyes. I laugh, and the girls laugh, and Aurora dabs under her eyes, too. “We need some pictures, and then we need to get you to City Hall.”
Aurora snaps a bunch of photos of me with the girls, then sets her camera on a tripod in the living room so she and Dred can be part of it, too.
They make sure we have everything we need, and the five of us take the elevator to the lobby and climb into the waiting limo.
It’s really happening. I’m getting married. To the man who’s starred in my dreams for the past three years and become the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.
CHAPTER 36
ROMAN
“You gotta stop pacing, man,” Hollis says. “You’re making me dizzy.”
“She said they were on their way fifteen minutes ago. Shouldn’t they be here by now?” I’ve read over Lexi’s contract four times, and Hollis had a lawyer friend check it over, too. Marrying her is the best way to keep her job safe. I love her, and I would do anything to protect her.
“I’ll check the family circle.” Hollis had Peggy add him as soon as I mentioned it last time. He consults his phone, which I could have done if I wasn’t stressing so hard. “Based on Aurora’s phone location, they’re two minutes out.”
“Okay. Good. That’s good.” I check my breast pocket for the engagement ring and wedding ring. I went shopping for both after practice this morning. It was a challenge not to show Donnie what happens to people who cross me when I saw him talking to Vander Zee before I left. But we’re so close to having what we want, and with that comes a weight lifted.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous in my life.” Hollis is infuriatingly calm.
“I’ve never been married before.” My anxiety is at an all-time high, but I’m not afraid. I just want this to be perfect. I want her. I want her to be mine. No reservations.
My phone buzzes, and I almost drop it. What if she changes her mind?
It’s not a message from Lexi or Aurora, though. It’s from Vander Zee and Fielding. “Fuck.”