“Colecion,” a gentle voice said nearby.
I turned to find a woman I didn’t recognize holding the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen—flowing white chiffon that caught the ocean breeze.
“I’m Monica, Eric’s wife. Your husband asked me to coordinate everything.” She smiled warmly. “We have about an hour before sunset. Shall we get you ready for your real wedding?”
The tears came harder then, and I couldn’t stop them. He’d listened. Really listened when I’d mentioned not having family, when I’d said our courthouse ceremony felt hollow. He’d taken that pain and turned it into this—into everything I’d never known I wanted.
“Come on, Mrs. Grimson,” Rebecca said, linking her arm through mine. “Let’s get you married. For real this time.”
As they led me toward the villa, I looked back at Lesley one more time. He was standing there in the candlelight, hands in his pockets, watching me with so much love in his eyes it took my breath away.
This man had given me everything I’d never had—family, celebration, a moment that was entirely mine. And tonight,under the stars with the people who loved me most, I was going to marry him all over again.
This time, for love.
The villa’s master suite had been transformed into a bridal suite. Soft music played from hidden speakers—D’Angelo’s “Lady” floating through the air like honey. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, and champagne sat chilling in a crystal bucket.
“Girl, sit down before you pass out,” Yaslynn said, guiding me to the vanity chair. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I can’t believe he did this,” I whispered, staring at my reflection. My eyes were bright with unshed tears, cheeks flushed with shock and joy.
Rebecca was already hanging the dress Monica had brought, her hands reverent as she smoothed the fabric. “This man really loves you, Co. Like,lovesyou loves you.”
Monica appeared with a makeup artist and hairstylist, both smiling warmly. “We’re going to keep everything natural,” she explained. “Flowing hair, glowing skin. You’re already beautiful.”
As they worked, my girls filled me in on the conspiracy.
“He called us a week ago,” Rebecca said, perched on the bed. “He said he wanted to give you a wedding. Something intimate and small. He asked about your favorite flowers, your style, everything.”
“Even asked what songs you’d want for your first dance,” Yaslynn added. “I told him you’d cry if he played anything by Maxwell.”
“Y’all been plotting behind my back this whole time?”
“Honey, when a man offers to fly your best friends to an island just to see you smile? You don’t ask questions or be loyal. You say yes and pack cute outfits.”
The makeup artist stepped back, and I looked at myself in the mirror. She’d kept everything soft and natural—just enough to make my features pop without looking overdone. My braids fell in loose waves over one shoulder, and she’d woven tiny white flowers through the strands.
“Now for the dress,” Monica said.
When they slipped it over my head, I understood why Lesley had chosen it. The chiffon moved like water, the bodice fitted perfectly to my curves before flowing into a romantic A-line skirt. It was elegant but not fussy, classic but not stuffy. It was exactly what I would have chosen for myself if I’d ever allowed myself to dream that big.
“Oh my God,” Rebecca breathed. “Co, you look like a princess.”
“A sexy princess,” Yaslynn corrected, making us all laugh.
Monica handed me a bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath, tied with a ribbon that matched the ocean outside. “There’s one more thing,” she said, producing a small velvet box. “Your husband wanted you to have these.”
Inside were pearl earrings—simple, elegant, perfect. The note tucked beneath them was in Lesley’s handwriting:
For my wife. -L
I was crying again, and the makeup artist had to dab away the tears with a tissue.
“Okay, enough tears,” Yaslynn said, fanning my face. “You’re about to get married to the man of your dreams. Save the waterworks for the vows.”
A soft knock interrupted us. “Ladies? It’s time.”
Monica cracked the door, and I could see Legend waiting in the hallway, looking handsome in his black tuxedo.
