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TWELVE
Monroe
I’m standing in front of the mirror in a room designated for the bride and staring at my reflection when there’s a knock at the door. We opted for a small venue on the outside of town for our wedding. I considered getting married at my parents’ place but eventually decided against it.
I’m glad I did. The venue is beautiful. Everyone pitched in, and I love the outcome.
“I’ll get it,” Emerson says, moving toward the door. She opens it just a crack. “Nope. You can’t see the bride before the wedding.”
“But—”
“Not happening on my watch, Raines.”
I laugh when I turn to see Emerson blocking the door with her foot and crossing her arms. Her hand is resting on her baby bump. She’s over halfway to her due date, and I can’t wait to meet their little one. She had an ultrasound last week, and they found out the gender of the baby, but they’re keeping it a secret until the wedding. Waiting just might kill me.
“I need to see my wife.”
A shiver races down my spine at hearing him referring to me as his wife. Not quite yet, but in the next thirty minutes, he’s supposed to be waiting for me at the altar, which is really an arch of beautiful, fresh flowers my mom and Legend’s put together. Those two hit it off instantly, and the wedding took shape just three short weeks after our engagement. Of course, Legend and I knew it was coming, so we’d already been planning. Our parents questioned why so fast, and we simply told them we were ready, and they accepted our answer.
“She’s not your wife yet,” Emerson sasses.
“Baby girl.” Roman’s deep voice joins the conversation.
“Rome, they’re not married, and it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.”
“I’ll wear a blindfold,” Legend offers.
“Fine. Stay where you are.” Emerson closes the door on them and turns to face me with a huff of annoyance. “That husband of yours is a nuisance.”
“He’s not my husband yet.” I toss her words back at her.
Emerson rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean, and now mine is joining forces with him. He wants to see you. Well, I guess he wants to talk to you, because he said he’d wear a blindfold.”
I shrug. “That’s fine. Send him in.”
“I have to find something to blindfold him with first.” She rummages around until she ends up pulling the sash from the robe I was wearing before sliding into my dress. “This will do.” She slips out the door, and a few seconds later, Legend is stepping into the room. He’s got the sash tied around his eyes. He closes the door and rests his back against it.
“Legend?”
“Come here, baby.”
I do as he asks and walk toward him. When I’m close enough, I take both his outstretched hands in mine. His shoulders relax, and he exhales once we’re holding hands.
“Are you all right? Having second thoughts?”
“No. No second thoughts, and I’m fine now. You?” His voice is soft and a little hesitant. Almost as if he’s afraid of what my answer might be.
“I’m dressed and ready to go.” I look down at my dress. I admit that I had Legend in mind when I bought it. I can’t wait for his reaction.
At that, he smiles. “I can’t wait to see you in your dress.” He rubs his thumbs over my knuckles before lifting both hands one at a time to press a kiss to the back.
“What’s going on, Legend?”
He sighs. “It’s been two days since I’ve seen you.”
“I know. It’s been crazy getting all the last-minute details ironed out.” I stayed at Emerson’s place last night. She was insistent that Legend and I be apart the night before. I can’t complain too much. I did the same when she married Roman over the summer.
“I missed you. I guess I just needed to make sure you’re still okay with all of this.”
