Totally different than the one for my stupid wedding to stupid
Brandon. Of course, knowing my groom is Roman made all the difference. That’s the main thing. But it was also a pure joy to have Ava, Nicola, and Luca’s beloved, Chelsea, my honorary mother and two sisters, joining me for the festivities this time, along with my besties, Harper, Kaylee, and Tatiana. Plus, having an unlimited budget was awfully fun. Not gonna lie.
The main reason today felt so different and so much better than the first time, however, aside from Roman being my groom, is the wayIfelt.When picking out a dress last time, I now realize I selected a dress to pleaseBrandon. Something conservative that didn’t show much skin. It was pretty, granted, but not what I truly wanted, in retrospect. Although, come to think of it, I never even stopped to wonder what I truly wanted, so I didn’t understand the difference.
This time, by contrast, I picked out a dress formyself. A modern gown with sleek, sultry lines that made me feel beautiful and sexy and like the best version of myself. Of course, I want Roman to think I’m gorgeous when he sees me in my wedding dress. But this time around, I know my future husband will think I’m beautiful and sexy, no matter what I’m wearing, as long as it’s me who’s wearing the dress.
“So, hey,” I say, leaning my cheek against Roman’s broad shoulder. “There’s a wedding detail I’d like to run past you.”
“Whatever you want, the answer is yes.” He’s been saying that all along. Not because he’s not excited about our wedding, but because he genuinely doesn’t care about the details, only the end result.
“I think you might want to have a say about this one.”
Roman shrugs. “I’ve already weighed in on the things I care about. Truly, the rest is up to you.”
I twist my mouth. “I want Luca to officiate.”
Roman’s chuckle rumbles against my cheek. “My brother’s a veritable cult leader at this point.”
“Can it really be called a cult when there are only three members, though?” I shoot back, referring to myself, Nicola, and Luca’s beloved, Chelsea. I snicker. “Come on. You have to admit Luca did a fantastic job for Marco and Nicola.”
“How do you know that?”
“Nicola showed me some videos today. Luca killed it.”
Roman snorts. “So, you’re saying I’ve gotNicolato blame for this?”
“No, you’ve got Nicola tothank.She told me Luca was one of her favorite parts of the whole wedding. She said he made everything feel fun and relaxed, and that’s exactly what I want.”Unlike last time.That’s the subtext here. The thing I’m not saying out loud.
Roman knows one of the most traumatizing parts of my prior wedding was the way the pastor—a man of God who’s known me my whole life—bellowed at the top of his lungs to my father to “Get her out of here!” Since then, Harper told me he’s been shockingly unkind about me. Apparently, he’s called my behavior “deplorable” and “disgraceful” to anyone who’ll listen in Orchard Blossom.
Roman kisses the top of my hand and meets my anxious gaze. “Let’s do it. Luca did a great job for Marco and Nicola.”
“Really?”
Roman nods and smiles. “But only if you promise not to tell Luca I complimented the job he did for Marco and Nicola, or I’ll never hear the end of it from him.”
“My lips are sealed.” With a laugh, I straddle Roman on the couch and kiss him. “Thank you, my love. You’re so good to me.”
Roman slides a palm to my cheek and kisses me passionately. And a few seconds later, after a bulge has noticeably hardened beneath his jeans, Roman rises from the couch, taking me with him in his arms, and takes me straight to our bedroom.
Chapter 41
Roman
It’s my weddingday.
Finally.
Late afternoon on a beach in Santa Barbara.
Thankfully, the wedding gods have graced us with a perfect, temperate day.
Luca, aka our cult leader for the day, is standing next to me with his iPad in hand. My groomsmen, all dressed in tan suits, like me, are lined up alongside me: Marco, Cameron, Levi, and Iris’s brother, Atlas. Mirroring my groomsmen in a line, Iris’s bridesmaids, all dressed in soft, flowing blue, are Harper, Kaylee, Tatiana, Chelsea, and Nicola. And, of course, Maverick, my co-best man and ring bearer for the occasion, stands at my feet in a tan suit that matches mine, visibly aching to be of service.
When I told Maverick he’d be my co-best man at today’s ceremony, along with Marco, I thought he’d be pumped to finally get a promotion from lowly ring bearer. Man, was I wrong about that. On the contrary, poor Mav broke down and sobbed at the shocking news. Apparently, my boy’s watched himself performing his ring bearer’s duties in videos so many times, both for his mom’s and Marco’s weddings, he was excited to “three-peat” at his daddy’s upcoming nuptials, too. Like father, like son. I’m looking forward to three-peating as a Super Bowl champ this upcoming season myself.
The music stops and then changes, and every guest rises to their feet in anticipation.
