Itwasstrange, but Aaron was nice enough. He was an investment banker from a prominent family like the Morans. In their few meetings, they’d talked about a shared love of travel, how they were both close with their families, and how they dreamed of settling down with kids in a beautiful house in the countryside. They were a perfect match — on paper, at least.
And Aaron was handsome enough, too, with his sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. Sure, he didn’t make her heart flutter, but that would come in time.
Kendra’s mother, Ruth, who’d stayed quiet until now, looked between Kendra and her friends. Then she cleared her throat and stood.
“All right, ladies. I think it’s time for me to have a quick pre-wedding word with my daughter.”
Annalise, Jenny, and Eva filed out, blowing kisses to Kendra and taking their champagne with them. They all looked lovely in their dresses with matching hairstyles and matching big smiles. At leastthatpart of her dream wedding — being surrounded by happy friends and family — was coming true.
A little nervously, Kendra glanced at her mother, who got up and came to sit beside her on the sofa.
“How are you doing, honey?” Ruth asked. Her green eyes, mirrors of Kendra’s own, smiled kindly at her.
“I’m okay,” Kendra said, folding and unfolding her hands in her lap. Even with her mother, she didn’t want to admit how nervous she was about the upcoming ceremony.
“Everything’s going to go great,” Ruth reassured her. “Your wedding is an absolute fairy tale, and we’ve worked on every last detail.”
Kendra smiled. “I just hope the cake tastes as good as it did at that little bakery.”
“It definitely will.” Ruth squeezed Kendra’s hands, stopping her from her nervous fiddling. “But I know the cake isn’t what you’re really worried about.”
“Is it that obvious?” Kendra blushed, looking down.
“No, honey, only to me. Both because you’re my daughter, and because I stood in your exact shoes thirty years ago. I was so nervous about marrying your father. We’d only met a few times, after all, just like you and Aaron. But when I stepped out onto that aisle, your grandfather by my side, and saw Thomas waiting for me at the altar, I somehow knew that everything was going to be okay. The wedding was beautiful. And on our honeymoon, we finally got the chance to get to know each other better and, over time, we fell very much in love. I’m certain the same thing will happen for you, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Kendra said. She met her mother’s eyes. “It feels like a lot. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl, but I feel like Aaron isn’t quite the prince charming I imagined.”
Ruth chuckled. “In fairy tales and rom-coms, love comes at first sight with a parade of butterflies and fireworks. But in real life, love takes time to grow. I’m sure Aaron will feel like your prince charming soon enough.”
“I hope so,” Kendra agreed.
“And it’ll really help our family to be linked with the Louis family,” Ruth added. Kendra looked away, her stomach sinking at the reminder of why she was really going through with a wedding to a man she barely knew. “They’re a wonderful family. We’ve known them for years, and now that our families will become one, it'll be so much easier to work with them. You’ve come this far, honey. There are only a few more steps left.”
The Morans were a very influential family in southern California, as were the Louis family. For many years, they’d been rivals, but this marriage was a way to bring them together. Kendra knew that. It was the main reason she’d agreed to an arranged marriage, despite years of daydreaming about falling in love.
Love comes in all kinds of ways,she reminded herself.It’ll happen for me and Aaron, too.
“I know,” she said to her mother. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“It won’t just befine.” Ruth squeezed her hand. “It’ll be wonderful. And I promise, by the time you come back from your honeymoon in two weeks, all your nerves will be gone.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Now, let me call your friends back in, and we can have a final toast to my single daughter before she gets married.”
Kendra managed a smile as Ruth got up to call her bridesmaids back, but her nerves were somehow stronger after her conversation with her mother. It was like she was about to go on a honeymoon with a stranger, for all that she really knew about Aaron. Somewhere else in the gorgeous beachside villa they’d chosen as a wedding venue, he was probably having similar fears.
Taking a deep breath, Kendra stood, arranged her skirts, and walked to the window. The view outside was gorgeous. The ocean sparkled beneath the bright blue September sky. Far below, she could make out the wedding party. Guests were already finding their seats. The aisle was lined with candles, and the archway over the altar was decorated with flowers. In a few minutes, Kendra would step out onto the aisle, escorted by her father. It would be the fairy-tale wedding she’d always dreamed of.
“Kendra!” Annalise’s hand landed on her shoulder, and Kendra turned. “So, the event coordinator just told me it’s time for us to head downstairs and get ready for the procession.”
Kendra’s heart skipped a beat, and her stomach clenched with nerves. She forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. This was really happening. She could do this.
“Okay.” She turned to her best friend, managing a small smile. “I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?” Annalise’s brown eyes crinkled. “You look a little pale.”
“That’s just the makeup.” Kendra widened her smile. “Iamready. Let’s get me married.”
