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Corey turned his attention to Dane. They made brief eye contact before his eyes shifted. They never stayed on one person, constantly looking around, his hands folded together, then loosening, then tightening into balls.
“Sweetheart, he’s nervous. He’s about to tie the knot. It has nothing to do with you.”
She twitched, frowning. Because he called her sweetheart? Or her nerves were too ramped up and no matter what he said she wouldn’t believe him?
Before she could respond, the music started. They all stood up and turned toward the back of the church. When Gabby flowed past them in her white dress looking like a princess, Genevieve gasped.
“I am in love with her dress. She’s gorgeous.”
Corey agreed.
The top half of the dress was heart-shaped with intricate beadwork layered all over. Corey felt sorry for whoever had to sew all the beads on because he figured it had to have been done by hand. No machine created the elegance that sparkled out of each bead. The bottom half was a shimmery white. Not quite glittery, per se, but every time the sun filtered through the stained glass windows, it sparkled like diamonds. It fit her hips and down her legs snugly and tapered out on the bottom. Shit. What had Mia called it? A mermaid design or something like that. He’d only been half-listening when they had been talking wedding talk because his mind had been on Genevieve. Like it usually was these days.
He pulled an arm around her, lowering his mouth near her ear. “Mia designed it. The maid of honor. She’s working on opening her own fashion company.”
“She has a talent. The dress is perfect for her.”
Genevieve rested her head against his chest as the ceremony proceeded. Not that he’d been to many weddings in his life, but if he had to rate this one, he’d give it a ten. Their wedding vows had even touched a part in his heart. Making him wish he’d have what they had one day.
Undeniable love and respect for each other. Two halves to make a whole.
His arm tightened around Genevieve. Maybe he had found that.
The ceremony was over in a blink of an eye and the priest was announcing Mr. and Mrs. Holloway to the crowd. Jezebelle had held Amelie the entire time and passed her off when it was their turn to exit the pew. The drive to the reception hall didn’t take long. They chose to have it at Central Park. A tent was set up in case of rain and to shield the sun. Although it was a beautiful day, the sun shining, the wind calm, the weather perfect. Not too hot and not too cold.
Dinner went well. The speeches were spectacular. Mia choked up a few times, but overall her words were beautiful to her best friend. It made Corey ache inside that he didn’t have a best friend. Sure, he had friends, but not a true best friend that he could go to for anything. Hell, he hadn’t even had that in his brother for a few years. He felt like he couldn’t count on anyone but himself.
Considering Jaxson was Dane’s best man made Corey realize Dane didn’t have a best friend either. He’d only known Jaxson as long as he’d known Gabby. It was nice to know he wasn’t alone in the best friend predicament.
Dancing started and the drinks began flowing. He managed to snag a few dances with Genevieve while his brother watched Amelie. They clung close together as they swayed back and forth to the love songs.
This day would go down as one of the best days of his life. A wonderful wedding for two of his good friends. A beautiful day with Amelie being such a good girl through it all. Holding the woman he loved in his arms as the magic of the day swirled around them.
“My feet are going to be killing me when the night is over.” Genevieve sat down, chuckling, stretching her legs and rotating her ankles.
The high heels she wore had a thin pointy heel and he’d say about two inches high. He had no doubt her feet would be killing her. She normally wore tennis shoes or her favorite worn brown boots. Her feet weren’t used to that kind of footwear. He’d give her a foot massage and make her feel better. All over.
He kissed her lips and winked. “Rest. I’ll go get us another drink.”
But not too many more. When they went home tonight, he wanted her levelheaded. He didn’t want either of them to be under the influence when they made love for the first time.
Because it was time.
Time to truly make her his.
14
Genevieve scrambled to her feet when she saw Dane and Gabby coming her way. As much as she died to look around to see where Corey was—hating to do this alone—she kept eye contact. She would not cower in fear.
Yet, she wanted to groan from the pain in her feet. Ugh. They were killing her, reminding her why she hated wearing heels.
“Congratulations. Your dress is spectacular. Mia did such a wonderful job.”
Starting with a compliment would hopefully soften them enough not to slice and dice her emotions to shreds. Because she saw the hatred behind the fake smiles they wore.
“Thank you. She has a talent and I’m so proud of her,” Gabby said.
“Corey should be right back. He’s getting a drink for us.”
