Now, she was on a private island, sitting in a hotel room. Irish opted to wear her hair pinned back to showcase her unique features. Her face had just been beat by the makeup artist and the wedding coordinator had delivered her dress. She wasn’t sure how Noble was able to pull this off. Irish didn’t have to make a single decision. She was only summoned to get pampered before she married the man who’d saved her from a lifetime of gloom.
A knock at the door ceased her thoughts. The door opened and Cali stepped inside carrying a box. She wore a backless coral dress that complemented her cacao skin tone toperfection. Her pixie was slicked down with soft waves framing her face.
“You look so beautiful,” she gushed. “Noble is going to lose his shit.”
“Thank you,” Irish bashfully replied. “I really can’t believe I’m about to get married. It feels like the first time.”
Her previous marriage was a literal contract. Yes, there was love within her and Jovanis. They had a bond that was unbreakable but there were so many cracks in their foundation. It wasn’t built with cement butt with undercover lifestyles, secrets, and lies that didn’t have sturdy groundwork. With Noble, their bond was constructed with love. Their marriage was a result of the adoration between them. She had never experienced anything that felt so right. The life he breathed into her made Irish feel like she could conquer anything. He was her forever.
“I know right.” Cali took a seat on the vanity. “Now that I know your first marriage wasn’t real.” She did air quotes with her fingers. “I’m sure this one feels like a fairytale.”
“Yeah.” Irish wiped a smudge from her lipstick. “I’m waiting on somebody to wake me up. Like this has to be too good to be true, right?”
“Wrong. You went through the trenches with Jovanis. Noble is the one for you. Embrace it and know that you're deserving of this.”
Irish smiled at her. “If you weren’t here, I swear I would’ve canceled all this shit.”
Cali chuckled. “No, you wouldn’t have to do all that ‘cause as soon as Noble said y’all were going to Nirvana Sky, I went to pack my bags before he could extend the invitation.”
“I bet your thirsty ass did.” She snickered then suspired softly. “You wanna help me out with my dress?”
“Of course.” Cali hopped down from the vanity.
Irish grabbed the garment bag and pulled the cream-toned dress out. She loved the simplicity of the mermaid style with a sweep train. Earlier, she’d put her shapewear on before her hair and makeup were done. Irish slipped into the dress and Cali zipped it for her. The visual provoked her to beamed at her baby bump and cup it. She was relieved that she didn’t have to hide it anymore.
“Hold on, you're missing something.” Cali walked over to the box and pulled out her bouquet. “Now you're flawless.”
Irish grabbed it, grinning so hard her cheeks ached. “Ugh, I’m trying not to cry.”
“No tears until we get there. Then, we can fuck up our makeup.” Cali snickered. “Me and Ivory got a bet on who’s going to cry the hardest. I think it’s going to be her.”
“I agree.”
“Alright.” Cali adjusted the strap to her dress. “You ready?”
Irish nodded. “I am.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
The two exited the suite then boarded the elevator. Irish blew out a deep breath, hoping her nerves settled. A car awaited them and they got inside. The short ride lasted about five minutes when they arrived at the beach. Irish stepped out the car, feeling so anxious that her limbs vibrated a bit. The nighttime sky was the perfect backdrop for her nuptials.
“Oh, my God,” she uttered when she saw Noble talking to the officiant.
He looked delectable in a linen suit with a black lapel. His haircut was always fresh, and the opening of his collar shirt provided her with a beautiful preview of his chest. His gaze found her, making his words vanish immediately. The awe in his eyes made her grin even harder. Ivory looked back and gasped at Irish. Even Kenji and Amare gushed from her appearance.
“Ooh, Irish, you look pretty,” Kenji complimented her.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him.
“Girl, that man so hooked on you,” Cali whispered to her.
Irish chuckled as Noble walked toward her. Cali went to take a seat next to Ivory. Noble’s scent was filled with bergamot and cedarwood as he approached her. Irish felt like she had been created just for his enjoyment. When Noble peered at her with his dark velvet eyes, she felt like the only woman in his world.
“I can’t even describe how gorgeous you look to me, Pumpkin. I’m speechless, baby.”
She grinned, rubbing her glossy pink lips together. “Thank you.”
“You ready?”
