I couldn’t wait to find out.
Legend Sweeney was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and I was so glad I’d had the courage to go out all dressed upone last timebecause now I could do it—and him—whenever I wanted.
EPILOGUE – PART 1
FINN
Mom cameup to me in her light gray suit, and she looked so happy as she glanced down and smiled at the white rose pinned to her lapel. I’d encouraged her to cut her hair short, which she’d always wanted to do but never had, since she didn’t think it was “appropriate”—whatever the hell that meant. I’d promised her I would love her hair short for my wedding, and she had a cute style that flattered her face. She kept touching the fabric of her suit and smiling, and every time she did, it made me want to cry. I could tell how much she enjoyed the new clothing.
Why had she never taken the plunge into wearing whatever she wanted? Why had she spent most of her life hating the clothing she was “supposed” to wear, instead of just grabbing what she wanted and tossing it on? Who knew, but I was more than happy to help her figure out what she truly wanted from the rest of her life.
I turned and stared at myself in the vanity someone had brought in. The huge white piece of furniture with a backlit mirror was a Victorian fantasy with carved flowers everywhere, and I’d been told Danger had made it for me as a wedding present. I slid my hand along the top and stopped, touching my favorite perfume—Lost Cherry. The obscenely huge pink diamond of my engagement ring glittered and matched the color of the bottle. The scent of flowers wafted through the open flap of the enclosed white silk wedding tent, which I was using as a spot to get ready. I inhaled deeply before I picked up my perfume and spritzed. This was the scent that would be burned into my mind forever as my wedding—sensual and natural all rolled into one.
“You look beautiful,” Mom said, smiling at me.
With everything else going on today—my silk white dress with all the extra lace I’d wanted had turned out perfectly—her comment was too wonderful. It was everything I’d always dreamed about and knew I could never have.
But now I did.
I burst into tears.
I was getting married in this dress, something I never thought I could do, and I was so fucking happy. I had no idea why the tears kept coming because I wasn’t sad, exactly the opposite.
“Oh my God, what’s wrong, darl?” Diedre called, walking in. I could see her bright yellow outline as she strode closer, but the tears were making her a watery Monet painting rather than a real person.
“Is he okay? What’s going on?” Cyclone asked, her alarm clear, but I could only hear her. I was crying too hard to see anything.
The women in my life talked to each other, sounding more worried, but I couldn’t say anything to them, only waved my hand. The tears wouldn’t stop. I just started laughing as I tried to speak one more time.
“Are you okay?” Stormy asked.
This time I tried really hard to rein in the tears because I had to get my makeup on and I was going to be a splotchy mess. I chuckled and nodded, but the drops kept rolling down my cheeks.
Someone shoved a handkerchief into my palm, and I dabbed my face.
Minutes passed and Mom patted my back, but she kept touching her tie and looking gobsmacked by it when she glanced in the mirror, and then I would start all over again.
“Love, what is wrong?”
I groaned as Legend’s booming voice filled the tent. I blinked away enough tears to see Stormy tugging him inside, her yellow poofy dress making her look like an adorable dandelion. The next thing I knew he was down on one knee, probably getting grass stains on his tan suit.
Sucking in a deep breath, I hugged Legend hard and buried my face against his neck, inhaling the delicious cologne he was wearing. Okay, maybe he was the scent I would always remember from my wedding day. I rubbed my face against him.
“Look, I know that the flowers aren’t quite at their peak. I know some of your family didn’t make the trip. We can have a party in the States later. I promise.” He took the handkerchief from me and wiped my cheeks. “Please, love. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it or kill it or put a stop to it.” He frowned.
Shaking my head, I was still crying when I started laughing again. “I’m so happy I can’t stop.” I tossed my hands up in the air. “I just can’t.”
“Are you certain?” He stared into my eyes, and as he watched me, I was finally able to get myself together, sniffing and taking shallow breaths.
“Yeah.”
“You look good enough to eat, love, but we gotta get through the wedding first.” He winked.
“You weren’t supposed to see the dress!” I gasped, all at once realizing he was in the tent when he wasn’t supposed to see me for about fifteen more minutes.
“All I see is your pretty face.” He gave me another hug.
“Go. I’m fine now.” I shoved his chest.
