Barbie slapped her arm. “Stop it. Behave.”
The concierge stopped at one of the closed doors, gave them a little bow, and returned to the lobby.
Barbie turned to Wren. “You’re hilarious when you’re anxious.”
“I know. I swear, you put me in anxiety-inducing situations just to get new material.”
“I won’t deny that. After everything you’ve just been through, I can’t believethisis freaking you out.”
The door opened and a very repentant-looking Serge invited them in.
An hour later, Wren practically floated out into the hallway. Her body felt incredible.
“Did I not tell you?” Barbie said. “Little darts of love.”
“You did.”
“It was very sweet of you to invite him to the wedding tomorrow.”
“Are you kidding? He’s coming with us on the honeymoon.”
The next morning,the morning of her wedding, Wren stood in Ellie’s bedroom and listened to the murmur of people gathered outside while Ellie flitted around her, smoothing out her dress here and securing her updo with another bobby pin there.
“Beautiful,” Ellie declared when she finally stepped back and looked her up and down. “Are you ready?”
Wren looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Yes, the dress was gorgeous, her hair looked great, makeup was perfect.But it was her eyes that drew her attention. They looked calm. Not the least bit anxious.
No joke.
She watched herself nod. “I’m ready.” She turned and looked at Ellie, so pretty in her bridesmaid dress. “Let’s go.”
The other bridesmaids—Rochelle, April, Wren’s college roommate Mary, and Barbie—were waiting in the front room with Wren’s mom and stepmom, who both burst into happy tears the second they saw her.
Someone knocked on the door and Barbie opened it. Ben stepped inside.
“Excuse me. It’s almost time. May I escort you to your seats?” he asked the moms, who were more than happy to each take one of his massive, muscular arms and let him lead them out the door.
Music drifted in through the window a few minutes later.
“That’sourcue,” Ellie said. “Everybody line up.” Wren stepped back out of the way of her bridesmaids. Ellie opened the door, and one by one, they paired off with one of Elias’ groomsmen waiting on the front porch, until Wren was left alone inside. The music changed to the Bridal March. Her dad and stepdad smiled at her, both ready to walk her down the aisle.
All the guests stood and turned to watch Wren. She only had eyes for one man standing up front, smiling at her and waiting patiently.
And that’s when she knew.
This good thing was going to last a lifetime.
TWENTY-FIVE
Waylon “Ram” Ramsey
“Waylon!”Stephanie waved him over to her desk the minute he stepped inside the rec center. Gabe stood beside the desk, giving Waylon a look that saidGood luck and beware, brother.
Oh boy. With Stephanie, that look could mean anything.
“Yes, Steph?” Waylon asked when he got to the desk. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve started a club,” Stephanie told him, beaming.
