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Stopping in the doorway, I cross my arms over my chest. “Don’t make me lock you inside the house.”
Kate gives me a pointed look. “You can lock me in all you want, but there are still windows from which I can see.”
Her words make me pause for a moment, but I try to keep a neutral expression. “There is nothing to see.”
“Mhmm…” Kate looks pointedly over my shoulder. “Nothing at all.”
With that, she closes the door behind herself.
Did she see the kiss?
Dammit, I knew we shouldn’t have done it.
No matter how good it felt.
I don’t get a chance to obsess over it because a truck pulls by the side of the house, and soon enough, the sound of various doors opening and closing fills the yard before Emmett and his friends join us.
“How do you want the chairs, Becs?” Emmett asks.
Letting out a breath, I start directing the group, pointing out where each thing needs to go before I return to the arch.
Miguel’s eyes take me in from head to toe as I close the distance between us, but I shoot him a warning glare before switching to all-business mode.
It takes us three long hours, but it’s totally worth it because the whole place looks like it’s out of a fairytale.
The guys go to the porch to grab a drink while I walkthrough the setup, ensuring everything is in place. Content with how it all looks, I approach the house, checking my phone.
No messages or calls. How surprising.
“So, Miguel, did you end up writing the speech or not?” Nixon asks.
My head snaps up just as Miguel shrugs. “I’ll just wing it.”
“You will what?” I cross my arms over my chest as all the guys turn toward me.
Miguel lifts his arms in defense. “Hey, don’t look at me. Emmett said my speech isn’t important.”
I glance from one man to the other, my teeth grinding together. “You better be joking. And you,” I jab my finger into Miguel’s chest, “better have that speech ready because if you mess it up, I might just strangle you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to get ready for. And y’all should go to Emmett’s and start getting dressed.” My nose furrows as I pass by them. “And maybe take a shower.”
The makeup artist is just putting final touches on Kate’s face when there is a soft knock on the door, and Kate’s aunt peeks inside, a tentative smile on her lips. “You all about ready?”
Kate waves her inside. “Come on in. I’m just about to put on the dress.”
Mabel looks over her shoulder. “Oh, I’ll go and get your mo—”
Before she can even finish, Kate shakes her head. “I want you, Aunt Mabel.”
Kate didn’t have the best relationship with her mother, so much that when she was a junior in high school, shedecided to move to Bluebonnet with her sister, so it wasn’t surprising that she preferred her aunt to help her get ready instead.
Mabel enters the room almost tentatively, closing the door behind her. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Kate takes her hand and pulls her inside. “You’ve been more of a mother to Penny and me in the last few years than Mom ever was.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I monitor their interaction from the side, not wanting to interrupt their special moment. Emotions swirl inside of me as I watch Kate take her aunt’s hands in hers. I feel grateful for this woman who opened her door and gave me one of my best friends. I was also happy that Kate had somebody like Mabel Adams in her corner. But, if I was being truly honest, there was also jealousy because I knew if the day came that I would get married, I’d never have this moment. Mom won’t get a chance to help me put on my wedding dress. Dad won’t walk me down the aisle or dance with me.
Feeling like an intruder, I turn around, blinking the tears that have gathered in my eyes as I go toward the wardrobe, pulling out the bag with the wedding dress.
Kate must hear me because she turns around, and I force out a smile, “You ready?”
