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“I did get that impression,” Imani allowed.
“I mean, if you’re keeping track of who, here, this weekend, has a Wikipedia page,” Zann said, grinning mischievously, “I want to say Alder’s husband has one.”
“Do I want to know why?” Imani groaned.
“He was a professional golfer.”
“Y’know, he looks it,” Imani said. “But, damn, their kids are adorable.”
“They are,” Eve agreed, smiling like the proud aunt she was.
“Anyway…” Imani looked around the room and pointed at Eve. “Are you ready to take some pictures? Zee’s gonna lead the charge, but I’m here as backup in case she needs to run back to Aspen since the clock’s ticking and everything.”
“Where are you thinking?” Eve asked.
Zann smiled. “I have a few places in mind.” She tipped her head toward the door. “Trust me, Mrs. Collier-West. I won’t let you down.”
Lydia’s heart squeezed at the way Eve nodded and murmured, “I know you won’t. I’m sorry I wigged out yesterday.”
“Eh…” Zann smiled at her. “A major change the day before your wedding deserves a little bit of a freak out.”
Lydia pressed a hand to her chest as she watched the two of them smile at each other.
“Are you going to change your name?” Shannon asked, shattering the moment before it could become too heavy.
Eve lifted a shoulder in a small, lopsided shrug. “Professionally, I’ll keep Morrison, because that’s what I’ve built my portfolio and business around, but otherwise… Yeah,” she said as Michael helped her to her feet and gave her a twirl that made the skirt of her chiffon, halter-style dress float prettily around her ankles. The dress was more casual than a traditional wedding gown, but it fit the mood of a laid-back, romantic beach wedding perfectly, and Michael’s dark teal suit, which matched the color of the rest of their dresses, was a striking contrast to Eve’s white dress.
The pictures were going to be fantastic.
Zann’s smile quirked in a way that suggested she thought so too. “You look beautiful, Eve. Aspen’s a lucky woman.”
“Thank you.” Eve smiled. “But I’m the lucky one.”
“I dunno, I think you should stick with just Collier. It’s definitely the superior surname in that hyphenated mouthful,” Michael joked as Eve’s dress settled back around her feet and he began leading her toward the door. “Now, let’s get this show on the road so we can get this girl hitched!”
“We’ll start on the patio,” Zann said as she stepped aside for them to pass. “And then we’ll head down to the beach for a bit. Imani will show you guys where we’re thinking.”
Lydia hung back, letting the rest of the party go ahead so she could steal a moment with Zann before rejoining the group. Her breath caught as Zann’s fingers brushed against her waist, drawing her gently closer, and she whimpered when soft lips pressed a tender kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“I know,” Zann murmured. “But I don’t want to mess up your lipstick before pictures and everything.” She kissed her cheek and then dragged that kiss to her ear to whisper, “You are absolutely stunning, Lyds.”
Lydia exhaled shakily and pressed a hand to Zann’s chest to steady herself as her knees turned to water at the affection in Zann’s voice. Her stomach fluttered and swooped at the feeling of Zann’s arm wrapping more snugly around her waist, and she licked her lips as she dragged a finger along the length of skin exposed by Zann’s open collar before hooking her finger in the flared collar of her shirt. “You are devastatingly sexy in this getup.”
“Mm?” Zann hummed, her smile evident in her tone. “You think so?”
“God yes, I do,” Lydia groaned. “And I’d love to show you just how much.” She huffed a wry little laugh. “But that will have to wait for later. Because—”
“Goddamn it, Zee! I told you that you could only go and get her if you kept your fucking pants on!” Imani bellowed from somewhere down the hall.
“My pants are on!” Zann shouted back.
“Unfortunately,” Lydia muttered. They both laughed when their eyes met, and she unhooked her finger from Zann’s shirt to tap it against her sternum. “Come on, you. Let’s go get these pictures done so we can get our friends married, and then I can get that kiss.”
“Okay, I just want to get one more.” Zann dropped her camera to her waist and considered how to phrase what she wanted as she looked at Eve and her bridal party.
She didn’t know who had decided to dress “the girls” in dark teal, but the color stood out fucking perfectly against the dusky, dark blue sea and the white sand of the beach. And it made Eve, who was nestled in the center of them all, smiling radiantly, her blue eyes alight with the laughter that had been a constant soundtrack to the shoot and her strawberry blonde locks positively shining in the warm California sun, look like an angel.
She smiled and turned to Imani, who stood dutifully beside her. “Make sure you have a camera on Aspen when Eve appears. She’s going to fucking lose it when she sees her. It’s going to be glorious.”
