And there go my tears.
“God, you lunatic. Why do you have to make us cry right now?” Piper sniffles, pressing a kiss to my sister’s temple. “You’re going to ruin our makeup!”
I squeeze Sarina’s shoulders. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I was blessed to have been born with my bestfriend, my other half in so many ways. And to see you get married today to the man of your dreams, a man who has brought you and Rome so much happiness and love, after everything you’ve been through? There’s no other joy like it.”
“I love you, Neesh,” she says again, a tear threatening to escape. “I can’t wait to see you here, in a spot very much like this again one day, waiting to walk up that aisle to reunite with the man of your dreams.”
I lift a brow, not missing the sparkle in her eyes with the word “reunite,” but before I can say anything, Dad cuts in.
“Oh, she will. I have no doubt about that. With the way that gorgeous Hollywood hunk looks at her, I have a feeling we’ll be planning another wedding very soon. And honey, I am so ready for another excuse to wear my good jewelry.” Dad waggles his fingers, each adorned with rubies and diamonds, just to make his point.
Piper giggles. “I just want it to be known that I predicted this last year after you and Troy got engaged. After we all saw through Patton’s scheme to film his next movie in San Jose, only a few miles from your house and our salon. I predicted that we’d be attending two weddings for the Arora sisters.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no denying the smile that’s crept up my face, making me feel warm and tingly inside.
While I don’t want to dampen their hopes of attending another huge wedding—especially since I have no inclination toward something as fancy—the idea of marrying Patton again . . .
God, it would be like getting back a piece of my heart that I thought was gone forever. And just seeing how different we are now, I know it wouldn’t be like the first time. We’re older, wiser, and definitely more careful with each other’s hearts . . .
So marrying him again, though I’m terrified to dream it too early, would be like returning home after a very long and arduous journey.
“And I know you don’t want to jinx anything, but I can’t hold myself back any more.” Sarina places her hand on her lips before touching my stomach. “I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew one day soon. But you’ve got time, little bean. Come out when you’re ready and healthy.”
“We’re ready, Mom!” Rome’s voice has us all turning to look toward him and Pearl, walking in with one of the coordinators. Pearl is wearing a soft pink dress, while Rome looks handsome in his dark suit and pink tie.
Sarina leans down to give them hugs, signing and speaking. “You both look so cute. Are you ready to get on with this wedding? Remember, you’ll both go out first. Aunt Nisha and Aunt Piper will be right behind you.”
Right on cue, the music starts, and Sarina’s wedding coordinator comes inside to tell us it’s time and that Troy is waiting at the altar.
Dad tucks Sarina’s hand inside his elbow. “Ready for me to walk you down the aisle, darling?”
Sarina smiles, eyes shimmering. “I’m so ready, Daddy.”
I blink away my tears as Piper and I follow Pearl and Rome out to the beach. I worked too hard on getting my winged liner just right to mess it up this early in the day. The kids wave at the guests, big smiles spread across their faces, before they wave at Troy.
Holding our bouquets of red roses and pink peonies, which match Sarina’s outfit, Piper and I step out carefully onto the red carpet that’s been rolled over the sand.
The late afternoon sun casts a golden light over everything, making the ocean sparkle behind the altar, and I can see Troyin his embroidered goldsherwaniwith pink accents, beaming as he watches Pearl and Rome make their way toward him.
Dev meets Piper at the end of the aisle, placing a kiss on her lips before murmuring something in her ear that makes her blush almost as bright as the bouquet she’s holding. She elbows him in the side before threading her arm through his.
My gaze locks with Patton next.
With his hands tucked inside the pockets of his dark suit pants, his hair slightly gelled, and his stubble a perfect shadow on his sharp jaw, my ex-husband looks every bit the movie star he is. But it’s the way he’s looking at me that makes my knees wobble. His dark eyes rake down my body, taking in the gold saree with pink flowers wrapped around me before they settle on my face, looking at me like I’m the only person on this entire beach.
Originally, Troy had decided against having groomsmen at all. With as many close friends from both his playing days and the Seven Schlongs, he said it was impossible for him to choose. Dean had been the most devastated by this decision, saying he’d been dreaming about standing next to his “best friend and idol”. Apparently, he’d gotten “special underwear” for the occasion.
But Troy and Patton have gotten close over the past few months, so when Sarina decided it would be nice to have Patton and Dev escort her two bridesmaids, I’m almost positive Dean shed actual tears.
Patton steps forward, his trademark grin in place, but there’s something softer in his expression. I’d say it’s new, but I can’t be sure anymore. Maybe he’s always had that same tenderness in his eyes when it comes to me. Maybe it’s I who’s taken this long to acknowledge it.
Instead of offering me his arm when he reaches me, he pulls me in, one hand settling on my waist, while the other curves around my neck.
I should remind him we’re in public, or that people are recording us, but before I can say anything, his mouth captures mine in a firm, unyielding kiss. It’s claiming and possessive. And though it’s over in seconds, it steals my breath, along with any coherent thought.
When he pulls back, his thumb brushes over my jawline, and he murmurs low enough so only I can hear. “We’re a forever kind of thing, baby.”
With my heart still beating out of rhythm, Patton pulls my hand to the crook of his elbow, and we fall into step beside each other. But I barely remember how I got to the other end of the aisle.
