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Mason was uncharacteristically silent, and Brad couldn’t bring himself to look at him. Was he making any sense? He couldn’t even admit to Mason he’d done much more than kiss Annabelle.
“This all happened right as my mum passed,” he said. “After my mum’s funeral, I had nobody left except Arianna, and I knew I wasn’t worthy of her, so I just … ran.”
He finally stopped talking and forced himself to look at Mason.
His friend’s mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide. “Curses, my friend! You are messed up, aren’t you now?”
Brad laughed. Mason was like the brother he’d never had. “I am,” he admitted. “Any advice?”
“Always. Loads.” Mason grinned, but then he looked Brad in the eye and said solemnly, “Forgive yourself. Turn it over to Jesus. Work things out with Levi. Most importantly … tell Arianna why you left and give her a chance to forgive you and to show you how incredible she is.” He tilted his head to the door. “That is one special lady. I’ve tried repeatedly to tease and flirt with her. She’s friendly with me, but I see it in her eyes and in yours. And I may have heard it last night—you know, I had to make certain everything was secure.” He smiled. “You love each other. Don’t waste love with an amazing woman like her because of your past mistakes.”
Brad studied Mason. It was all solid advice. He thought hehadturned it over to Jesus, many times. It had become almost a daily occurrence as he fought through his days. He could always put more trust and faith in the redeeming power of the Savior. Now that he was back where he’d begun, it all felt overwhelming and he didn’t know how to make things right.
Telling Arianna … everything. Would she forgive him? It was tough to envision, as he hadn’t forgiven himself. He’d simply worked, served, prayed, and pushed all his ‘feelings’ into a box he never opened. He didn’t know how to forgive himself, and he really didn’t want to work things out with Levi and ask for that stoic man’s forgiveness.
Before he could respond, Arianna’s door swung open and she strutted out like she was on her own personal runway. She was more gorgeous than any model he’d ever seen, that was for certain.
Her long blonde hair fell in soft waves, her blue eyes were outlined with smoky makeup and long lashes, her skin was creamy and perfect, and her lips were irresistibly full and red and just waiting for him to take possession of them. Her dress was the most feminine business suit he’d ever seen, a deep forest green made of a soft-looking fabric that outlined her curves perfectly. Her sky-high spike heels were silver and sparkly and made her legs look perfect.
“Angel Ari,” he murmured. “You are a vision.”
Her teal eyes softened. “Thank you.”
The moment stretched, and he envisioned himself crossing the room with determined strides, sweeping her into his arms, and ruining her carefully applied lipstick with kiss after kiss after kiss. Those all-encompassing kisses from last night were begging to be repeated.
She broke the moment with a soft smile and the question, “Even the heels?”
“You and those heels of yours.” It was what she was looking for, but he wanted to gush that he loved her sassy, too-high heels. He loved every bit of her. If only he’d told her everything last night, especially how much he loved her. Now was definitely not the moment for spilling his guts.
“They make my legs look fabulous.” She gave him an impertinent and too-alluring look.
“I cannot argue with such truthful logic.” He grinned. “Every bit of you is fabulous.”
She blushed. He loved it. Then she looked at Mason and blushed deeper.
“Well then, since Brad and I both knowwelook fabulous,” Mason quipped. “Shall we get going?”
“You do both look fabulous. I chose your suits.” Arianna smiled, but then her jaw tightened and resolve filled her gaze. She slid her large purse over her shoulder. “It’s going to be an insane day.”
“We’ll be by your side, no matter what,” Brad told her.
“Like stink on a skunk,” Mason said, and then he pulled a face. “That wasn’t great. Like floral perfume on the most beautiful woman on earth.”
“Better.” Arianna smiled. “Thank you. It will ease my mind to know you’re both there for me.”
She walked past them, and Brad inhaled her intoxicating floral scent. She was the most beautiful woman on earth. If only he could tell her so.
Mason arched his brows at him and then murmured for only Brad to hear, “I’ve got your back, friend. We’ll make something happen.”
Brad wanted to make many things happen with Arianna, but he didn’t know if Mason’s interference would help or hurt. At least he wasn’t competing with him any longer.
The day went by too fast for Brad. Arianna was the consummate professional, in charge of every detail, large and small, and doing it all with a flair that was all his Angel Ari.
He had observed her in the dress and tux fittings with the royal family the past ten days, but it was mesmerizing to see her going nonstop and in her element. Nothing escaped her notice. Though she was kind and shared her beautiful smile generously, she was also no nonsense and didn’t waste a moment.
Brad thought he was a bit of swiss army knife, fixing things, building things, protecting people, even telling stories and helping settle some simple village disputes, but he was in awe of Ari. She had done the work of ten people, and with one hand tied behind her back, for the last ten days, working from that bedroom. No wonder the too-serious general had complimented her and told her how grateful the family was for her. The queen and princesses were involved in the wedding plans, Ari had told him that, but everyone looked to Arianna for instructions.
The wedding finally arrived. Brad had been blown away by the spacious and extravagant ballroom before, with its two-story windows overlooking the picturesque valley, a winter wonderland all on its own. Today, Arianna and the decorating crews had taken the room to a different level. He swore she had an army of house elves working behind the scenes.
