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“I love you, too.”
We smile at each other before Jordin gets that menacing look in her eye. “Wanna help me tell Ian to go fuck himself without actually saying the words?”
My eyebrows hike so high in surprise they practically touch my hairline. “Oh, pray tell,” I giggle.
“I might have had a change of heart for my walk down the aisle song choice.”
A hearty laugh bursts through my heavy chest, instantly making it lighter. “Yaaassss, girl. What do you have in mind?”
Chapter Fifty-Five
“You’rethemoststunningbride we’ve had the pleasure of working with,” Jody, Jordin’s hair and makeup artist, beams approvingly, securing Jordin’s updo with another mist of hairspray that the wind outside had tousled loose on our way to the church.
Jordin’s fingers trace an unconscious pattern on her knees as she thanks her, a telltale sign of her nervous energy.
“It’s true. You really are. Thank you for letting us share in your special day,” Jody’s assistant Helena adds, neatly organizing the hair and makeup products into the expansive trolley they’d brought from Jordin’s home, just in case any of the girls needed a touch-up. God forbid they’d shed a tear that might ruin their makeup. Jordin’s eyebrows furrow with worry as the wedding planner, Lucy, enters the room, ordering everyone to leave aside from the two of us. The ladies begin to exit while wishing her luck.
I glance at the clock as Jordin throws back another glass of champagne. “What time is it?”
“You might want to take it easy on that, babe, If you want to walk down the aisle with Ian in less than fifteen minutes.”
Jordin’s hand trembles slightly as she places the glass down, her nerves beginning to get the better of her, and her face pales. “Fifteen minutes?”
The anxiety etched on Jordin’s face is palpable, and her hands seek solace in the fabric of her wedding dress. “Where is he? He should have been here by now.”
“Who should have been here?”
A light knock taps at the door, and I rise to answer. “Who is it?”
“It’s Caleb. Open up.”
“Oh, thank God.” Jordin rushes over to the door and pulls it open for him, her body language a mix of relief and apprehension, and a pang of sadness coils in the pit of my stomach as they embrace each other.
“I’m so scared, Caleb. I know what you said, but...” Jordin’s voice wavers as Caleb pulls back and glances at me. Not wanting to intrude on their private moment together, I excused myself.
“I’ll wait outside and knock twice if anyone comes.”
Caleb pulls Jordin back into his arms, thanking me over her shoulder, my heart breaking for them.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Theatmospherecrackleswithreverence in the vast embrace of the sacred church. The pews, worn by years of devoted worshipers, cradles the seated congregation. As I look around, I see the guests, including Kelly and Mrs. Watson, attired in an array of formal wear. Owl and Chains sit alongside them while the rest of our men sit further back in case the shit hits the fan. They were warned to be eagle-eyed and ready for anything.
The distant echo of the organist playing their instrument reverberates through the chamber. I need to take my mind off what will happen in the next few minutes and the fact that my girl is still choosing to ignore me. I open my suit jacket to take another swig from the flask of whisky I keep in my pocket, then hit play again on the camera app in Lexy’s room as I wait for the ceremony to begin. I’ve been meaning to watch it for some time but never got the chance. I figured now was as good as any.
The video begins with Lexy sitting at the desk in her room. I can tell her shoulders are tense by how she’s seated, and I squint my eyes to try to make out who she’s speaking with on her laptop. From what I could see, it was an older woman with brown eyes and ebony skin that I’d never seen before.
I clench my fist, wishing I could tell everyone to shut the fuck up and curse myself that I didn’t bring my earphones.
I’m about to explode with rage when I lift the speaker to my ear, my face squinting again as I strain to hear the conversation. Lexy lost something, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
Not giving a shit, I turn up the volume as the lady, who I now know is Doctor Sharvin asks Lexy, “And how far along…”
The violinist begins to play, and everyone in the church stands, pulling me away from the screen.
“It’s showtime,” Colton says, pulling me from the pew by the arm to stand and fixing my tux that suddenly feels too tight.
“Still nothing from Marcus?”
