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Turning back to look me up and down, her eyes meet mine, and then she gives me the most beautiful smile. “Pick me up at seven.”
“I’ll be the one in the tux.”
She turns to leave, giving me one last glance over her shoulder, and I think I’m quite possibly the luckiest man in existence to have a woman like her look at me like that.
***
I roll up to the curb of Talia’s apartment at exactly 7:00. It’s a beautiful Saturday night in Malibu. I already know what Nyla’s bridesmaid dresses look like because she avidly showed me when she forced me into a dinner at her and Kieran’s place—whichwasn’tas awful as I’d thought it would be. He’s really a changed man around Nyla. It makes me wonder how much I’ve changed since meeting Talia. Would a me from five years ago even recognize myself now?
When the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen walks out in the gold dress I was prepared for, but notreadyfor, I decide it doesn’t matter.
Talia is an angel amongst men, and I am nothing but a devil in a three-piece suit dragging her down with me. She smiles at me as I get out of the car to open the door for her, her dress sparkling like a thousand stars under the fading sunlight.
“Nyla really outdid herself with these dresses,” she comments lightheartedly as she takes the hand I offer her, helping her into my car.
“Well, you’re not fair to the dress. It doesn’t stand a chance to outdo you no matter who wears it.”
“Ohgod, that was corny,” she scoffs.
I lean down, pulling her hand toward me to brush a kiss over her knuckles. “You liked it,” I murmur across her skin, and send her a wink. Her cheeks redden as she drops her hand to her lap.
We arrive at the wedding. Walking into the building, Talia loops her arm through mine as if it’s second nature. I pull her tighter to me.
“Wow,” Talia breathes. “Everything turned out beautiful, Kay.”
Looking around at the wedding venue that was once Midnights feels like an impressive feat all on its own. It’s already an elevated space, but with the added lights and dangling strands of flowers, it’s become a romantic setting unlike anything I’ve ever been in.
“It was mostly Nyla’s vision.” I lead Talia toward the patio, where guests mill about waiting for the ceremony to start, which is set up in the sand, chairs aimed at the horizon for the sunset service Nyla wanted.
She squeezes my arm and electricity shoots through me. “Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Talia! Kay! There you are!” Heels clack rapidly across the floor as Gia ambushes us, ripping Talia’s arm from mine. “You’relate. The bridesmaids need to gather.”
Before I can protest, Talia’s being dragged away. She gives me an apologetic look as she disappears with Gia to wherever they have Nyla hiding out from Kieran.
And speak of the devil…I think as Kieran approaches me on the patio. Though I would argue I’m more the devilish brother, he’s looking devilishly handsome in his tux.
He smiles, a broad, beaming thing; the happiness of a man in love. “The club looks amazing, Kay. Thank you for planning this with Nyla. It meant a lot to her.”
“Of course. Anything for Nyla.”
“But not for me.” His face turns stoic, but there’s a hint of amusement to his words.
I shrug, as if that’s an obvious answer, because it is.
“Well, shall we head up? We’re about to start. Do I look okay?” He gestures to his tux, smoothing his hands over it. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I want to make sure everything’s perfect for her.” He blows out a stressed breath.
I place a hand on his shoulder. “You look great. It’s going to be great. I’m happy for you both.”
Kieran nods, nerves still in his eyes as we head out onto the sand.
People begin to take their seats. The sun is entering its low crest, filling the cloudless sky with a beautiful golden hour, setting the waves aflame with its glow. Nyla’s vision was impeccably romantic.
The guitarist starts strumming the tune to Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, another one of Nyla’s ideas which I was skeptical about, but with the beach and the setting sun, I have to admit, her vision for these things is far better than mine. Maybe Gia should think about hiring her on.
Kieran fidgets nervously at his spot beneath the arch as I take my place next to Leo. The tune proceeds more gently, and then Gia appears in the double doors of the club. Immediately, her eyes find Leo’s, who beams beside me.
I start feeling myself getting nervous, too, fidgeting from foot to foot because I know who’s coming next, and part of me feels like I’m not ready for her.
