AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pulled the binoculars down and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek, careful not to mess up my lipstick. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Here is an actual compliment: you’ve never been more beautiful,” Andrew said. “And that is a high bar, since you’re gorgeous all the time.”
“I must agree with my friend here. Your beauty could start a war, like Helen of Troy.”
“Hopefully nothing that dramatic, but thank you anyways.”
I hugged both of them and said goodbye. It was strange having three men in my life who I cared so deeply about, and who cared about me. We were in that weird place where they weren’t my boyfriends, but they were something. There just wasn’t a word for it. And it wasn’t only physical. I had grown fond of both of them, almost as much as I had grown fond of Pierce.
I can’t worry about that now, I thought. My sister is getting married today!
Linda and three bodyguards joined us in the helicopter. “There’s been some chatter about Pierce’s location here. I want to make sure we aren’t caught unprepared. Don’t worry—we’ll stay out of sight. You won’t know we’re there.”
I turned to Pierce. “I have a question. About how to present this relationship to my family.” It was awkward having this conversation while Linda and three guards were in the helicopter with us, but I couldn’t avoid it any longer. “What should we tell them?”
“I don’t think we can pretend that you are only my surrogate,” he admitted. “We have been photographed together in other contexts. People will put it together, if they haven’t already.”
“I can assure you my parents have not put it together. They don’t pay attention to European tabloids.”
Pierce cocked his head thoughtfully. “Do you want them to know you and I are… together?”
Together. That was one way to put it. I still had concerns about how long this relationship would last, and what would happen when I eventually did bear his child. But for now, I was with Pierce Benning. All of him.
“Yes,” I said. “I do want them to know.”
Pierce smiled. “Then let’s tell them. We don’t need to give specifics—especially not regarding the natural conception. We can just say that we’ve grown fond of each other since you became my surrogate, and that we’re dating. That’s more-or-less the truth.”
I smiled back at him. “I like that.” I looked out the window. We were about to cross over from water to land. “Are we driving to the wedding after landing?”
“We found a spot to land closer. We’ll be able to walk.”
“Not too far, I hope. I’m already wearing my heels.”
“If it’s too far for you to walk, I’ll carry you. Or have Linda carry you.”
“Whatever you need, sir,” Linda said loyally.
“He’s joking. But thanks, Linda.”
Linda, as serious as a heart attack, nodded.
We circled once over the wedding venue, seeing the five buildings of the resort. All of it was reserved for Carly and the wedding today. Then we landed in a field about a hundred yards from the outdoor venue. I was grinning from ear to ear as we stepped out; it was a fun entrance to make, yet it wouldn’t cause too much commotion since the guests weren’t arriving for another two hours.
Pierce didn’t need to carry me, fortunately. A woman in a pink dress and a clipboard frowned at us as we approached, her eyes scanning the two of us, and Linda and the bodyguards.
“I’m Melinda, the bride’s sister,” I said.
She made a check on her clipboard. “Right on time. The bridal party is waiting in the Spring Building. It’s just over that way.” Her eyes flicked at Pierce. “No men are allowed in there during hair and makeup.”
“I see some groomsmen over there. I’ll go mingle.” Pierce kissed me lightly on the cheek. “See you in a little while.”
“You’re the wedding planner?” Linda asked. “I have some questions about the perimeter…”
My mother squealed happily when I walked into the atrium of the Spring Building and gave me a big hug. There were four other women along with Carly, all still wearing cotton robes. I said hi to the two other bridesmaids I knew, then hugged my sister.
“It’s your big day!” I said, tears welling in my eyes again. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today!”
“Me neither!” My sister had a similar build as me, except her hair was curly where mine was straight. She also had darker eyes, which scanned me up and down. “You’ve already had your hair done?”
