AllFreeNovel
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I pull the dress out of the closet and fix the collar. The material’s a sheer sky blue with a border of flowers in shades of pink, red, and yellow. Long billowy sleeves end in tight cuffs fastened by tiny pearl buttons. The pleated skirt falls past my knees. I drape the dress over the end of the bed and set my yellow heels next to it. Too bold for church? No, Serena saw it last night and loved it.
Why am I so damn nervous?
Public speaking.
Seeing Dex.
Pick any of the above.
It takes forever to tame my hair into sleek, glossy waves and dab on some makeup, but finally I’m ready. I carry the shoes downstairs and meet everyone in the kitchen.
“Morning, Emily,” Grayson greets me, setting a mug of steaming water and a box of teabags on the counter.
“Thanks.” I busy myself with the tea and try to sip carefully without spilling any on my dress.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Too nervous to eat.”
Serena joins us next, looking like she stepped out of some mommy-and-me catalog for wealthy suburban moms. Her coral dress compliments her complexion and mane of straight, shiny blonde hair perfectly. She hands Lincoln to Gray and rests her hand on my shoulder.
“How are you?”
“Ready when you are.” I take another sip of tea and set my cup on the counter.
Libby and I follow Serena’s SUV through the back roads of Union County.
“I expected this to be in downtown Union somewhere,” Libby says. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to this part of New York before,” I agree.
We finally arrive at a plain white building that Serena assured me is some sort of church—a white stone square with stained glass windows. A large parking lot surrounds the place. A few motorcycles and black SUVs already fill up spaces close to the front steps.
“It looks like some kind of warehouse.” Libby gives the location a skeptical squint. “Are you sure we’re not going to be abducted and probed by aliens?” She smothers a giggle. “Or seduced into some freaky cult?”
“Honestly, no. I’m not.” I grab my purse and tuck my keys inside. “Are you warm enough?”
She shrugs. “This was the only dress that worked with the cast. I’ll be fine.”
“I have a sweatshirt in here somewhere.” I gesture toward the back seat.
“I’ll be fine.” She shoves the car door open and steps out.
I follow her to the front of the church and try not to twist an ankle on the cracked asphalt. At the top of the stairs, I recognize Rock, Hope, and their daughter Grace. Hope waves to me.
“Will Shelby be here too?” Libby whispers.
“She’s supposed to be at the party later.”
Hope meets us at the top of the stairs and gives me a warm, welcoming hug. “Good to see you again.” She turns her smile on Libby. “How are you feeling? You look much better.”
“Thanks.” Libby holds up her cast. “A few more weeks of this and then maybe my warden will let me out of my prison cell again.” She tilts her head toward me to make sure Hope knows I’m the prison guard.
I roll my eyes.
Hope’s shoulders shake and she squeezes my arm as if she doesn’t envy me the task of raising a smart-ass teenager.
Just wait. Libby was cute and sweet like little Grace once upon a time.
Rock nods at me. “Emily. Libby.”
They make a striking pair. Hope’s dark green sheath dress with elbow-length sleeves and just below the knee length skirt looks like something a senator’s wife might wear on the campaign trail. Or a president’s wife. Rock seems as comfortable in his tailored black suit as he did when I saw him in his MC vest and jeans.
Lilly and her husband join us next.
“Hi, Emily.” Lilly leans in and kisses my cheek. Her deep blue dress is similar to Hope’s.
Do the presidents’ wives coordinate their outfits?
Z’s suit is navy blue, so at least the presidents don’t have matching formal wear.
“Emily!” Serena calls from inside the church.
I lean to the side to peer through the wide-open doors and find her waving at me.
“Go ahead.” Lilly steps aside and reaches for Libby. “You can sit with us, Libby.”
“Okay.” Libby presses her hands into my side, giving me a gentle shove. “I’ll be fine. Go do your godmotherly thing.” She grins at me.
“Wish me luck,” I whisper.
I step over the threshold, my heels clicking over the slate floor until I reach the interior of the church where mustard-yellow carpet mutes my steps.
Serena’s standing in the middle of the aisle, waiting for me. But my gaze strays to the area in front of the altar where Gray’s standing.
With Dex.
Dex is here.
Of course, he’s here. He’s the godfather.
His broad shoulders fill out his gray suit to mouth-watering perfection. Sexier than ever.
