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“Yes?” the doctor asked.
“Next time lead with the good news!”
Fifty-Six
SAMMARA
The last of the brilliant violet still hadn’t gone out of the sky. It painted the whole countryside a deep purple, from the rolling hills and sprawling fields to the grey stone walls that glimmered like amethyst.
I was getting married in a castle. An actual castle!
And I felt like the most amazing princess in the entire world.
Eight more months had passed. Eight long, incredible months of love, adoration, and sweet, sweet accomplishment. The nasty business with Goddard was over. Di Spatia was expanding, business was thriving, and I’d completed two of my first five Modern Vintage homes.
Best of all, my lovers had all been home. Kyle and Ryan had finished their enlistments, and Dakota’s assignments hadn’t extended beyond base duties. Jason traveled from time to time, but never for more than a week or two, and never without keeping in touch.
I felt more at home than ever before — more loved and cherished and grounded than anywhere I’d been in my life. It felt like family. The family I’d never had — the one I’d been cruelly and abruptly denied since childhood, through no fault of anyone’s but fate.
“You look gorgeous!”
Melissa beamed at me from the other side of the ancient antechamber turned makeshift bridal suite. She looked stunning herself, with her hair down and her makeup done up, and her maid-of-honor dress a flawless, chiffon blue.
I choked back another round of tears. It just wouldn’t do. The ceremony was minutes away, and I wasn’t about to face it red-eyed and mopping at the corners of my eyes.
“You’re the best,” I told her, forcing the words out past the lump in my throat. “You know that?”
“Oh I know,” she grinned. “I’ve always known.”
I turned away from my mirror and stood up, taking her by both hands. The train of my dress flowed downward in thick waterfalls of white silk.
“I’m serious. You… You’re…”
We hugged hard, and the tears flowed anyway. There was nothing I could do. I let them go, not caring about dresses or makeup or anything else. Not caring about anything other than my best friend in the whole world… and the four incredible men waiting for me just a hallway away.
“Come on, you beautiful little vixen,” Melissa finally said. “Your time is up.”
I followed her out into the centuries-old hall, unable to stop marveling at the Gothic-style architecture. The 17th-century castle was absolutely amazing. Almost as breathtaking as the rest of Wales, and the countryside surrounding it.
“Leave it to you, Sammara,” Melissa hissed over her shoulder, “to get married in a castle.” She chuckled merrily. “And not just that, but renting out the whole fucking castle…”
That part had astounded me even more. When the guys told me the entire castle was ours — staff, grounds, gardens and everything — for an entire two weeks? I’d nearly lost my mind.
“You deserve it of course,” Melissa went on, “but it doesn’t make me any less jealous. I want you to know that now, so when I’m—”
I shushed her with my finger. We were standing before a pair of banded wooden doors — doors that had been opened a thousand times, into hundreds of wonderful events.
Oh my God…
Just on the other side, the slightest hint of music played through.
“You sure you’re ready?” Melissa smiled, one slender hand resting on a big iron ring.
I bit my lip and nodded.
“It’s not too late you know,” she said. “Four husbands… that’s going to be a challenge.”
My stomach was all butterflies. My heart felt like it would explode.
