Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
I have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about. I know when you get married, someone usually walks you down the aisle, but I never dreamed of being married in the first place, so I never even thought about that part of it. By the time my hair and makeup are done, I’m starting to feel the jittery nerves again.
I look in the mirror as Rya zips my dress up in the back. It’s a simple but elegant gown with a slit up the side. A tiny smile pulls at my lips as I consider what happened to the first wedding dress we had to buy because we absolutely destroyed it in the bridal shop.
“He really outdid himself when he picked you,” she says as she admires me. I turn to her then and hug her. She seems caught off guard as I embrace her.
“Thank you for accepting me into your family,” I say, and I feel the gentle caress of her hand on the back of my head.
“We will always be home for you now,” she replies, and I can sense her smile.
I’m stuck in the car, frozen in place. My breathing comes in shallow pants as I reconsider this wedding. I know I want to be with Eli, but it makes this no less terrifying.
Rya left the car ten minutes ago. I’m certain she knew I wouldn’t be able to get out without some sort of encouragement.
I consider running away, as cowardly as it is.
I’m scared.
I’m scared mostly of the unknown, even though Eli is one of the things I’ve been surest about.
The car door suddenly opens, and I let out a shaky breath as Eli’s beautiful face comes into view. I try to turn away from him as if that will keep the dress hidden. We are far from traditional, but I feel like I’ve wasted the surprise moment.
He gently pushes me across the seat and sits down beside me, closing the door. He pulls my hand from my mouth as I bite the skin around my nails and brings it to his lips. I watch as he does, those silver eyes staring at me expectantly. “You’re beautiful. And late.”
“I’m not late. I’m just thinking…”
“About running away?” he says knowingly. Rya most likely went inside to get him. I hate how well he understands me. How did he so quickly learn my ins and outs?
“Aren’t you supposed to be inside?” I ask. His gaze greedily takes me in.
“I’m wherever you are. Everyone else can wait.” He gets comfy in the seat. I nervously laugh as I rest my head on his shoulder.
“What’s bothering you?” he asks as we both look out the front windshield.
“I don’t know. I’m just scared.”
“I’m not. I know without a doubt that you are meant to be my wife, and we will have a permanent truce,” he says, cupping my cheek.
“Well, maybe not permanent,” I tease. “We want to keep it spicey, don’t we?”
He looks at me with a smile. “I have a surprise for you when you’re ready.”
“I think it’s redundant when you say that because I will always be surprised by you, Eli Monti,” I tell him, feeling the tension leave my body.
“I take that as a compliment, Jewel Diamond.”
I stare at our linked fingers, thinking that, after today, I’ll have his has last name. This is real. Me moving forward into a world I thought never existed for me. And maybe that’s why it feels so terrifying.
A tap on the window startles me, and Eli opens the door. When he does, Craig peers into the car. He’s wearing a suit, which is strange considering his usual casual attire.
“Craig?” I straighten.
“Hey, kiddo. This little shit asked me if I’d do the honors of walking you down the aisle since, apparently, this is legit. You’re really marrying him, right?” He hooks an accusing thumb in Eli’s direction.
Eli turns to me then. “I’m going to wait for you at the end of the aisle. I came here to make sure you aren’t overwhelmed. So let’s go get married, get drunk, and fuck all night.”
Craig looks away, and I can feel a blush spread across my face in embarrassment. Eli presses a kiss to my cheek with a smirk as he slowly but surely pulls my hand farther out of the car and into Craig’s waiting hand.
“Come on, kiddo, you’ve done worse than this,” Craig jokes as he leans in. “Unless, of course, you do want to run, and we can fuck off and stick to the previous plan.”
I laugh, my nerves feeling as if they’re subsiding. It’s like the final missing piece has arrived. I would have never been brave enough to ask Craig. He barely leaves the house, and I didn’t want to be disappointed if he said no.
Craig idly speaks about the latest episode of his TV show as he walks me to the chapel. It’s massive and, apparently, the same chapel where Eli’s parents tried to marry before Rya shot Crue in the leg and ran away.