Ireland crossed her arms. “What do you recommend?”
“Don’t you worry about it.” He patted her head annoyingly. “I’ll take care of everything. You work on keeping Cali calm.”
“Wait,” she said, as he turned to walk away. “How’s Jaeg doing?”
“Cool as a cucumber,” Gabe said.
“Really?”
Gabe chuckled. “No. He’s performing lunges to keep his anxiety level down while Adam frets over the big guy splitting a seam.”
That could happen, Ireland thought. Who knew weddings were so stressful?
Several minutes later, a knock sounded at the bridal suite. Ireland ran over and opened the door.
“Your shots have arrived.” Gabe tried to peek his head into the room.
Ireland grabbed the tray and shoved him out. “No seeing the bride before the wedding.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “That’s for the groom. Cousins don’t count.” He seemed to be eyeing Jaeg’s sister, who was just Gabe’s type and in danger now that Gabe was single.
Ireland stared at the tray of glasses. “What are these?”
“Lemon drops. They go down smooth. Just don’t give Cali too many.”
“Thanks,” Ireland said, and blocked his view once more by shutting the door in his nosy face.
Ireland handed out the shots and held up her own. “To a beautiful day.”
“To my best friend finding her match,” Gen said.
“To my daughter and Jaeg,” Cali’s mom, Maddie, said. She’d snuck in after Gen had sent an SOS text to help calm Cali’s nerves.
“To my brother finding the perfect woman for him,” Kerstin said.
“To not passing out,” Cali said, and threw back her glass. She cringed then grinned. “Better give me another.”
Ireland had limitedCali’s alcohol consumption to two shots, which worked out perfectly. Cali’s nerves simmered down and color returned to her face. She beamed as they made their way to Jaeg’s parents’ backyard, where the ceremony was to be held.
And that was when Ireland glimpsed Bran.
He sat with three of his strapping brothers and their significant others near the front of the groom’s side of the wedding aisle. The wedding was black tie, and she could only glimpse his dark blond hair and that his broad shoulders fit in a tux to perfection, but that was all she needed to see. She’d recognize him anywhere.
Hello, nerves. Good thing Ireland had taken two shots as well.
She, Gen, and Kerstin made their way slowly down the aisle to the pastor at the front. Hundreds of white chairs had been placed on the family’s large lawn overlooking the lake.
Purple flower arrangements decorated chairs at the end of each row, and there was an arch of more purple flowers where Jaeg and Cali would say their vows. The sky was blue, and the air smelled of pine trees and roses. In short, the view and the setting were breathtaking.
Cali had made the right decision to have her wedding at Jaeg’s parents’ house. The home was massive and the grounds were spectacular—large enough for them to set up a huge tent for the two-hundred-plus guests who’d made it.
Ireland passed the back row of guests, and Bran looked up and immediately caught her eye. She shook and plastered on a forced smile.
This was Cali’s wedding, not about her and Bran.
Kerstin, Gen, and Ireland took their places on the left side of the pastor, while Jaeg, Adam, Gen’s boyfriend Lewis, and Cali’s brother Tyler stood on the right.
Jaeg looked across the lawn, seemingly eager to catch sight of his bride. Ireland knew the moment he did, because an incredible smile spread across his face.
