CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Gideon
Mila was stunning.Her arm tucked close to her father, she walked down the aisle toward Alex. Her dress, as Rita had explained to me, was a fit and flare with lace and sequins covering her arms. She looked like a beautiful winter day and when I glanced at Alex, there were tears in his eyes. He was enamored.
Olivia and Owen had done their duty and were now sitting between Penn and me. I saw Livy moving her fingers, likely thinking about her song she’d be playing in a couple of hours.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and utterly romantic. Dean did a wonderful job as the officiant, too. Once they were told they could kiss, Alex dipped Mila and kissed her like no one was watching. We cheered and threw petals, then spent the next hour in photography hell.
“I can’t see,” Penn whispered in my ear after we took what had to be our one hundredth picture. “All I see are flashes everywhere.”
I laughed. “Just don’t move—it’ll wear off eventually.”
“That’s good, everyone,” the photographer announced, and there was a collective hum of happiness.
It was a gorgeous venue, and I understood why Mila wanted it here. The inside was decorated like a winter wonderland. Crystal and pearl trees, fairy lights, white and silver linens, ice sculptures, even the flowers gave off the illusion of being frozen in their state of blues, whites, and silver. It was breathtaking.
Dancing, music, drinks, and laughter were in abundance.
“Daddy.”
I turned to Olivia. “Yes, sweetheart?”
“Jennifer said I need to go with her to get ready. Can I?”
I peered up at where Jennifer was standing. She wore a dark-blue dress, her hair was styled in an updo, and her makeup made her seem softer today.
“You look lovely, Jennifer.”
“Oh.” She giggled. “Thank you, same, you look very uh, handsome.”
I smiled. “Okay, baby, go with Jennifer. We’ll be here waiting. I’m excited.”
She squealed excitedly, and I watched as she and Jennifer moved toward the orchestra.
“Dance with me,” Rita ordered me…Let’s call it what it was.She held out her hand.
I chuckled but took it. Her silver floor-length dress glittered under the lights and she looked like a magical creature with diamond flecks in her hair, her makeup giving her a glowing effect.
“How could I say no to such a goddess?”
She cackled and smacked my chest as we reached the dance floor. I pulled her to me and beamed.
“You clean up nice, too.”
I snorted. “I’m always handsome.”
She rolled her eyes but rested her head against my chest. We swayed and enjoyed the moment.
My eyes scanned the room, taking in the festivities. Mila and Alex were going table to table thanking everyone, hugging them. Alex didn’t remove his hand from hers once.
Penn was at the bar talking to Dean, nodding at whatever my brother was telling him as he sipped what I’d bet was an iced tea.
Owen and Matteo were sitting at a table eating what I believed were mini hot dogs. I wasn’t sure, but they clearly were trying to see how many they could shove into their mouth.
Mila’s parents were dancing, as were mine, and I smiled as my dad caught my eye.
I spotted my men circling the venue. I was sure there were more, but this was a huge place, and they were likely spread out. My eyes roamed the large space trying to find three distinct people.
