I’m having a pity party for my wild dreams of looking hot tonight and the idea of seeing Luke’s jaw dropping when he sees me. My hair goes up in a messy bun that I hope is cute enough to pass for an updo. Mel showed me a quick and easy way to do it and hide the flyaways. I curl the pieces hanging out.
“Not horrible, I guess . . .”
A crimson lipstick does wonders for making my simple hair and makeup look slightly fancy.
I hear a tap on the door.
“Can I jump in the shower when you’re done?”
“Oh! Sorry.” I open the door. “Go ahead. I’m finished.”
I walk out, wrapped in a towel, and he goes in, closing the door. After I pull the dress I found on sale at Dillard’s out of the closet, I notice a new garment bag laying on the bed along with a shoebox.
Curious, I walk up to it and unzip the white fabric. Inside is a shimmering aqua gown. As I remove it, it begins to resemble something a movie star would wear on the red carpet.
I’m stunned.Did Luke actually go out and buy me a dress?
The label saysHaute Couture, which I’ve never heard of. Fashion designers aren’t something I follow. I squeeze into it. The cut is a little too tight around the hips, but the shape does wonders for me. I look like a sexy mermaid princess. The neckline is high, wrapping around my throat, while the back is completely open down to the top of my butt. The panels down the side of the hips and legs are completely sheer.
It shows a hint of side boob but not too much. It has tiny little sparkles woven throughout it, just enough so that it shimmers in the light.
The shoes are understated nude pumps with an open toe.
How did he do this?
My throat feels tight. I will not cry about a dress and shoes.
But it’s not just any dress and shoes. It’s a beautiful—no doubt expensive—dress with matching shoes.
I turn to look in the full-length mirror on the back wall of the bungalow as the door to the bathroom opens. The only sound is the waves as my body slowly pivots to face him.
He’s a dream in his fancy black tuxedo with his perfect hair and bright green eyes. The bruise on the top of his cheek under his eye is still noticeable, but it’s also kind of hot.
I’m under inspection, holding my breath as he places his hands in his pockets and takes me in.
“You know, I always heard the bride was supposed to be the most beautiful one in the room.”
I laugh as a tear slides out of my eye. “I...I don’t understand how you?—”
“Fallon helped. I knew you needed a dress.” He shrugs like it was no big deal.
I’m about to start actually crying because the gifts were incredibly thoughtful for a guy who’s literally my boss, bringing me along towork.
My throat dries up when he steps closer and drops down to his knees in front of me. His eyes stay locked on mine as he grabs one of the shoes and holds out a hand.
I lift my foot up, holding my breath. His hand is warm as he gently wraps it around my ankle and slips the shoe on. It’s a perfect fit. After he gets the second one on, we both turn to look at my reflection in the mirror.
His gaze licks over me, making my skin heat.
“We need to go, or we’ll miss the whole thing,” he says, rising to stand before tugging me along through the door.
We make it just in time, sliding into the back row as the music begins to play. One bridesmaid goes down the aisle while Henrik stands next to Garrison. The groom’s face is in the same beat-up state as Luke’s, except Garrison’s looks nervous instead of furious.
The ceremony is gorgeous, right on the beach as the sun sets, the sky filled with a peach-pink hue. Fallon looks like an actual angel descended from heaven in a pure white gown thatfloats around her feet as she walks toward her future husband. Happiness radiates from her, and we can all feel it.
Luke’s fists are clenched tight as they exchange vows, knuckles cracking open and bleeding again from his previous wounds.
His body is stone as they kiss. I can feel the tension radiating off of him. I know he loves Fallon, and I don’t have any details of what happened. The situation feels impossible. She truly looks elated to be up there.
