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Sadie extends her arm to me. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Rivers?”
Smiling like an idiot, I hook my arm through hers, and Sadie escorts me out of the dressing room. With all nine of my bridesmaids, I shuffle into the hallway, led by several event coordinators with earpieces they’re talking into. My stomach churns the closer we get to the patio doors. The backyard overlooks the ocean, the view so incredible it’s like something from a movie. I feel like a princess in this dress, and combined with all of the excess wealth around me, this feels like a dream.
Men in suits open the French doors for us. I stare out into the yard that reminds me more of a hotel site than someone’s private residence. Waves break on the shore from a distance. The sounds are so calming I instantly begin to relax. Julian and all nine of his former roommates—Preston, Jamie, Tucker, Trent, Knox, Harker, Nash, Killian, and Drake—stand at his side. All of their girlfriends, who I have become friends with over the past year, are also part of our bridal party. It’s a big group of people to manage. That’s why Sadie hired an event team to coordinate everything.
My side of the aisle is almost empty. It’s pathetic. I have no family, save for a few of my friend’s parents who drove to Southampton for the occasion. Jonathan Rivers is in the front row on the groom’s side along with Julian’s grandmother and a few of his relatives. I had insisted Julian at least hear his dad out. He’s an asshole but still his father. Growing up without one, I didn’t want that for Julian. And after Jonathan apologized to me, Julian agreed to speak to his father. They talk on the last Sunday of every month and nothing more. But it’s a start. His dad no longer tries to intervene in our lives. And we still want nothing to do with his money.
Julian wasn’t as lucky as some of his friends when it came to the NHL Draft. Several of his groomsmen were picked by NHL teams and now play in the league. But Julian h
as to work his way up. He earned a place in the AHL on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms roster. With some time and hard work, Julian hopes to work his way up to the Flyers. I’m so proud of him. For most of his life, he was handed everything. He never had to earn it. I love that he’s no longer at the mercy of his father and now makes his own decisions. And I honestly believe that one day his grit and determination will take him where he wants to go.
White chairs are lined up on both sides of the makeshift aisle, decorated in a mixture of red and white rose petals. Our guests turn their heads to look at us, all eyes on me. My cheeks flush from all the attention. I smile and then block them out, so the only person I see is Julian.
My bridesmaids take their turns walking down the aisle. One by one, they disappear, until only Sadie and I are left. And then, the panic sets in. I hate being the center of attention. In my experience, attention is never good. But this time, I have to get my shit together. It’s my big day.
“This is it,” Sadie squeals.
I take a deep breath and let it out. “Holy shit. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It’s okay, babe.” Sadie stands in front of me and lowers the lace veil in front of my face. “Don’t panic. I can see the wheels turning but don’t let them. I’m right here. You look amazing. Everything is going to be—”
“Amazing,” I finish for her.
“Exactly,” she says with a smile. “Now, are you ready to take your sexy ass down that aisle and marry your hot hockey player?”
I laugh at her words and grab her hand. Sadie tips her head to the main event organizer, and seconds later the song switches. We begin to walk, and at first, all I can think about is not tripping on this gown. I would die from embarrassment if that were to happen. Damn you, Bex. My skin heats from the energy shooting through me, my body shaking like a leaf. Sadie does her best to steady my nerves, clutching my arm tighter.
I nod when I see Dr. Saxon in the crowd. She’s been one of the few constants in my life for a long time. I’m happy she could make the trip to New York. Seeing her helps sooth some of my concern. At least if I have a major meltdown in the middle of the wedding, she’s here to talk me through it. Okay, so I’m still a bit of a nut. But I’m working on it. I’m taking each day one at a time.
I stop obsessing over the guests in the crowd and quit worrying about falling when I see Julian as cool as a cucumber. My God, he’s handsome, the picture of perfection. The sun hits his tanned skin just right, and when the dimple in his cheek pops from his smile, I want to dig my finger into it. His black tuxedo fits every inch of his muscular body, outlining every delicious feature. He looks good in anything. But this… Damn, he looks good. And he’s all mine.
Once we reach the end of the aisle, we stop in front of Julian, who’s grinning so wide it reaches up to his emerald irises. His eyes look like they’re sparkling in this light, his face glowing. Sadie pushes the veil back. We hug one last time, and then she takes her place next to me as my maid-of-honor.
Julian slips his fingers between mine, holding on so tight it’s as if he’s afraid to let go. “Hot damn, woman,” he says against the shell of my ear. “You look gorgeous, Bri.” His eyes roam over my body for a second. “I don’t know if we’re gonna make it to Hawaii before I…”
He doesn’t finish his thought, because the minister clears his throat.
Oops, I guess he was talking too loudly. We both laugh and take our places in front of the minister. After we say our vows and slip the rings onto each other’s fingers, Julian takes me in his strong arms, wrapping me in his warmth. He kisses me so hard and long I forget everyone around us. I lose myself in him, allowing the passion between us to consume me.
Epilogue
Julian: One year later
When I come home from another road trip, I find Briana sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table with her brown hair covering her face. She peeks up at me when she hears the front door shut behind me.
“You’re home early,” she says, her smile so wide she’s glowing. “I was just finishing up with a few orders. And… you won’t believe this. I have big news. Java Joe’s agreed to work with me on a specialty blend box.”
“I knew they’d say yes.” I can’t stop smiling, my expression mirroring hers. “Pretty soon, you’ll be running a coffee shop.”
“I love coffee,” she says, standing up from the floor, cupping the side of her growing belly. “But I don’t miss smelling like it every day. Now that I figured out this dropshipping stuff, we don’t have to deal with the smell of it anymore. I kind of like that.”
“Me, too,” I admit.
She meets me in the center of the living room, and I lift her, hugging her tight against my chest. I have to be careful now. Briana found out she was pregnant four months ago. I’m scared to death, after having the worst father on earth, but I can’t wait to meet our child. I know I’ll do better than my dad. I would never want my child to feel the way I do about my dad. I would never want them to feel like a possession. I’ve managed to repair my relationship with my father, but I still keep him at a distance. I can only allow him to get too close.
“I also can’t drink coffee anymore,” she says, hooking her arms around my neck. “Not until after the baby comes.”
I lower her to the floor and rub my hand over her belly. “I have news of my own.”
