Chuckling, I know it’s taking everything in her not to bust my balls. “NoI told you so?”
Someone calls her name and she stands from the table. Leaning down to kiss my head, like any mother would do, she shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I promised that when you found the person who would make you realize how deserving of love you are, I would only wish you the best, and this is me doing that.”
Exhaling in relief, I sit back in my chair. “Thanks, Emma.”
“Anytime, Kash, and besides, I just love when I’m right.”
My eyes flash to her and narrow. “I thought you said you wouldn’t say I told you so.”
As she walks away, Emma hollers over her shoulder, “I didn’t. I only said I love being right. Pay attention.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mila
“Are you sure you want to do this? I’m sure this place has a back exit somewhere that we can escape from. Just say the word,” Mara offers Cora, and if I’m not mistaken, I think she’s one hundred percent serious.
Cora’s eyes widen, then she laughs. “Please, you act like Atlas isn’t about ten minutes away from coming to get me himself.”
Fixing the train of her dress, I smirk. She’s not wrong. The way he loves her is something I don’t think any of us fully understand.
“Okay, but don’t say I never offered you the chance.” Mara shrugs.
“Remind me not to let you give me a pep talk when I get married,” I quip, looking at Mara.
“Oh, come on, Little Elf, we all know that you’re too nice to leave someone hanging at the altar.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Before I can say anything, a knock sounds at the door, and I hear my dad’s voice. “Is everyone decent?”
Opening the door, I give him and my mom a wide smile. “We’re all set, right, Cora?”
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, I admire my best friend’s appearance. She looks so happy, and it makes me a bit jealous. I want that. I have that in Kash—a little bit, but she’s taking this huge step, and I sort of envy her for it. There’s no doubt for her or Atlas about whether or not they’re making the right choice, or if they’re going to work out. Their relationship is absolute.
I don’t even know how to tell everyone that I’m dating the resident ladies' man ofExiled Ink—well, reformed ladies’ man.
Dad looks at us, then at Cora. “You girls are so grown. You’re beautiful, Cora.”
He’s not wrong. Cora’s hair is pinned back in a low bun with a few pieces framing her face. Her makeup is just light enough that she looks like her natural self—and her blue eyes pop. She didn’t have much time to find a dress, but when she went shopping with Emma, she fell in love with the first one she tried on. She didn’t even look at any others.
The lacy, mermaid-style dress molds to her petite frame perfectly. It’s almost strapless, with strips of lace resting at the side of her shoulders, and the lower half flares at the knee with a train just long enough. She’s stunning.
Taking a deep breath, she turns toward us. “Thank you, Daniel.” She leans in and kisses his cheek. My mom dabs a tissue under her eye, and I feel tears well in mine too. This is a big moment for Cora, for our family, but I never imagined it would come so soon. My best friend is about to be someone’swife.
Kash calls meWifeya lot, but that’s in fun. I don’t think he’s really serious about marriage or anything. I care about him—a lot, probably more than I should at this point, but I don’t know if he actuallyreallywants marriage. I know I do. I want marriage, babies, and the whole picket-fence dream.
I want someone who’s going to love me in the good times and be ready to battle during the hard days. I want someone who’s going to look at me at two AM, when I’m covered in baby spit up, and tell me that I’m the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen. In my mind, I see Kash doing those things, and even though he’s said he’s in love with me, that I’m all he wants, I’m still afraid to believe it. It feels too good to be true.One day at a time, Mila.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this.” Picking up the train of her dress, Cora loops her arm through my dad’s and heads out the door.
“Let me make sure the coast is clear first,” I offer. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding after all.
“Don’t bother. Atlas has been standing at that altar with Noah forthe last fifteen minutes. He’s only leaving his spot if it’s to drag her out there.” Mom laughs.
Once the music starts, I go first, then Mara. We didn’t pair up with any of the guys, knowing the numbers would be off, so we opted to just walk in on our own. Atlas is standing at the altar, his back to us, Kash, Rhett and Seth at his side behind Noah.
Noah and the guys are all turned around as we approach, but Atlas never looks. When my gaze finds Kash, I nearly trip over my feet. I was not prepared for Kash in a suit.
