And up and down.
And the smile dropped off.He pursed his lips together and closed his eyes briefly.
Was he upset about something?Didn't he like what I was wearing?
My stomach sank for a moment, thinking I’d disappointed him somehow.
When he opened his eyes, he blinked.And I saw them glistening in the white, sparkly lights around him.Someone had formed an archway by the pool where he stood with a man who looked like a—priest?
What the heck?
Carlo stood beside him.Dani stood with her mom, and Eve on the other side.
“May I?”A deep voice startled me.I snapped my head to the side.There stood Nick, looking handsome as heck in a tuxedo.He offered his arm to me.
I hesitated for a beat, but then I took it.“Thanks,” I said, and I meant it.This was all intimidating as heck.It would be nice to lean on someone.Especially someone as good looking and sturdy as Nick.
“Anytime, my dear.”He gave me a devilish smirk and then started walking.“You look absolutely stunning.”He turned his head toward me.“But you'd look good in anything.”His eyes dropped to my cleavage.“Or nothing at all.”His eyes bounced back to mine, and he smiled wider.
I shook my head and laughed quietly at his remark.“I guess that depends on who you ask,” I countered back.
Nick chuckled but didn't look at me.“Oh, I don't have to ask anyone, Francesca.I have eyes.”
I wasn't sure how to respond to that.
So, I didn't.
He led me around the pool, up to the archway of lights.Where my groom was standing.
“Treat her well.Or you'll answer to me,” Nick said in a strict, bossy way.And the way he said it—made my lower belly all soft and mushy.
Stefan's eyes moved from me to his friend.His mouth opened, and at first, he looked like he was going to give Nick a piece of his mind.But then he closed his lips and nodded.“I will,” was all he said before Nick handed me over.Stefan took my free hand in his and whispered, “You look beautiful.”
I felt my cheeks heat.I bit my bottom lip and looked him up and down.He wore a tux.It wasn't the same as Nick's or Carlo's.But it fit him perfectly.Maybe a little too perfectly.I wondered if it was even his.Had he borrowed it from Nick?Probably.He and Nick were close in size.But Stefan's arms seemed bigger.Wider.More muscular.
No longer the weak, sick man in pain I'd met all those months ago.
Nope.
Stefan looked strong.And powerful.
Such a stark contrast to the man I'd cared for after his shooting.
After he'd been left for dead in the emergency room.
After I lied to the surgeon and tricked him into operating on Stefan.
I wondered if Stefan ever thought about that night.I wondered if he realized how dire those times really were.I'd heard stories about patients completely forgetting about their time in the ICU.When they were critical and so close to death—one bleed—one infection—one breath from dying.
I guess that was good, though.That they forgot.
It was probably their brain's way of protecting them.
Stefan stared at me.His eyes floating all over my body.And I swear I could feel his gaze—that was how powerful it was.
“Thanks,” I said in answer to his comment.My heart was beating so quickly, I could hardly catch my breath.“You look nice, too.”Oh, my gosh.Why did I say something so stupid?Stefan looked a heck of a lot better than—nice.
The smirk on his face told me he didn't mind, though.“Thanks,” was all he said before the priest began speaking.Not that I was listening.How on earth could I concentrate on anything anyone said when I was standing under a sparkly archway with Stefan?Getting ready to marry him?
