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“Nice meeting you, Nolan. Bye Sterls,” I holler behind me as Hollis rushes me away.
“What’s the hurry, Little Moon?” I quip as I try to playfully pull away from her.
“We need to get back to the hotel. Fast.” She keeps her strength about her, refusing to let me go.
“Why’s that?” I laugh at her urgency, not knowing what’s gotten into her.
“Don’t think I’ve already forgotten what you said to me back there Jaxon Monroe. You deserve a happy ending to your night for those words.” She stops, twirls me into her by my hand and yanks me in by my shirt. “I’m going to make you feel so fucking good tonight.”
“Yes ma’am.” I chuckle as she rushes us out to our car and boy does she make good on her promise.
Ten
Sterling
It has been so weird not seeing Callan today. I woke up without him. I got coffee and ate breakfast without him. I drove to the venue without him and here I am, five hours later, still without Callan. But it'll all be worth it, I have to remind myself. Because in just two short hours I will be Mrs. Callan David. His wife.
"Thank you for doing this with me," I turn slightly, having been facing the mirror but look for Dakota who is getting her makeup done in the mirror next to mine.
The makeup artist finishes up swatting the mascara brush at her eyelashes before she responds to me.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Sterls. Remember when I hooked you up with Two-Second-Tom?" She grins stupidly at me before pulling her champaign glass to her lips and I can't help but laugh and roll my eyes at the same time.
"You thought he had better bed-manners, Kota. I don't blame you for that." I wink at her.
"Remember when I came home crying one night because I thought Callan was playing me? I acted like such a child back then. I'm thankful you knocked some sense into me," I tell her with an appreciative tone. I was really immature back then. I can’t believe that was just a year ago, give or take. I just recall being so lost in my own head that I didn't know how to handle my situation. But I laugh at myself considering how everything worked out. Who would have thought?
"We all get a little senseless every once in a while," she teases before we both turn back to our mirrors as the makeup artists continue their jobs.
Running down memory lane with her is always fun, though I'm often reminded that Dakota is pretty much the only person that I can run down memory lane with. I've done a really good job this far not to think about it, but it doesn't go unnoticed that I hardly have any family or friends here. Most of the guest list comes from Callan's side of the family. But I hide my frown if only to remember that I am grateful for those that I do have in my life.
And at that thought, a knock comes at the door.
“Hey. Jaxon said you wanted me?” Hollis announces as she welcomes herself into the room.
I wanted a chance for Dakota and me to get to know her better if only because Jaxon is Callan’s Best Man. But mainly because I could always use more girlfriends and from what I know about Hollis so far, I think she’d fit right in.
“Yes!” I practically jump out of my chair in excitement. “I hope you don’t mind, I made time for you to get your hair done with us for the wedding if you wanted to.” I wave her over, accidentally sloshing some champaign out of my glass. “Oops,” I whisper and Hollis just giggles.
“Oh my god, your dress is stunning!” Dakota exclaims from her chair peeking into the mirror to see her reflection.
“Thank you. I thought it was a little much at first, but I wanted to match Jaxon’s tie.” Hollis glides her hands down her navy-blue dress, a slit up her thigh on one side and a loosely hung neckline hugs the curve of her cleavage.
“Nolan’s tie matches my dress too!” Dakota adds, noting that her dress is a dark green.
I thought that green was a good contrast to the reds and golds I themed for our wedding but in the end, I realized the colors kind of looked like Christmas. So, I added the navy-blue hints and wood accents to give the theme a more rustic appeal.
“Well, what do you say?” I ask, waving my hand over to the empty chair.
“Just in time too. I’m all done!” Dakota jumps up from her chair, her golden-red hair bouncy with curls and braids. “Gotta go get my dress on though. Mind helping me with that first?” she asks Hollis, as my hair stylist pins backs some of my waves.
“Not at all. Show me the way.”
I can’t believe it’s time. I hear murmurs just on the other side of the wall as I stand hidden, waiting for my cue to start my walk down the aisle. My wedding planner—a customer of mine at the cafe and now a good friend of mine—sneak peeks behind the curtain every couple of seconds to make sure everyone is in position.
I haven’t seen Callan yet, and he hasn’t seen me. It’s the way we wanted it. No first looks, just the look we get when I walk down the aisle any moment now.
“Everyone is in position, Callan looks really handsome, Sterling. I’m going to cue the DJ to start the music that signals the wedding party down the aisle. Are you ready?” Raechel looks at me with a encouragement and excitement. Her smile is reassuring as I have butterflies currently attacking my stomach.
