Music played and people danced in the main garden under the lights to the band Wes had wanted. We’d finished dinner in the ballroom, but there was still a candy bar, a grazing table, a whiskey fountain, a chocolate fountain, and a full bar, complete with custom cocktails out in the garden.
Hope was running around in circles as if chasing sunbeams. Someone had let her eat way too much candy.
“What are you doing, Hope?” I asked.
She giggled. “Just playing with the cat.”
“Have fun.” I didn’t see a cat, but she was at the right age for imaginary friends.
“You look so beautiful. Thank you for inviting us,” Marcos’ dad, Antonio, stood there with his mate, the police sergeant.
“Thank you so much for coming.” I noticed a lot of people watching Antonio throughout the night, probably wondering how we knew such a famous actor.
“Thank you for making sure my son does his homework,” Antonio added with a laugh. I’d been doing a lot of math tutoring this year.
Marcos, Hiro, Kilroy, Riley, Rose, and Mercy had an entire tray of cupcakes and were sitting in a garden alcove.
“I’m glad everything ended well,” Sergeant Hawthorne told me.
“Me, too.” If he hadn’t called Lexi, I may never have found Wes.
We talked a little longer, then I went to find Evan and Wes. They were on the dance floor. But Verity stood in the corner with a glass of champagne, looking wistful.
“How’s my sister?” I put my arm around her waist. “I think Hope has an imaginary friend.”
“Oh, she’s at that age. Hale’s imaginary friend was a pink vampire giraffe named Bobo.” Verity laughed. “I’m so happy to be here. Just tired, with finals coming up.”
It was more than that. With Adriana in jail, Verity had taken on far too much responsibility. Pippa had also become insufferable, micromanaging Verity’s time and being generally unpleasant. Not only had Verity pretty much stopped modeling, but Pippa had made her reschedule her much-needed visit to see Creed and metwicebecause they needed her to take care of the little ones. Verity had even dropped a class at Pippa’s demand so she could do school pickup.
The only reason she’d even made it to my bachelorette party was because I’d involved all my girl siblings so that Pippa couldn’t find a reason to keep Verity away. I’d just hired a babysitter for Tru and Hope for parts of it so we could have some ‘big girl’ fun.
“Hey, as soon as classes end for the semester, you’ll get to come out here. If Pippa tries anything, I’ll punch her in the tits. Creed and I have this.” I grinned at her.
“I’m looking forward to it.” She smiled at me, but fatigue shone in her blue-green eyes.
Verity watched Evan and Wes dance by. Evan waved at me, and I waved back.
“You’ll find someone, Verity,” I said softly. “You are amazing, and you’ll meet someone who will sweep you off your feet and treat you how you deserve.”
My sister was incredible and absolutely wasted on her parents, who never thought she was good enough. Which was stupid. One day, Verity was going to tell them tofuck off,but even then, I’m not sure anyone other than Nate and Harry would truly realize what they lost.
“You think?” Her look went wistful. “I’m not the traditional alpha.”
I don’t know why she thought that. Sure, she liked pastels, manicures, and romance novels. But why was that even an issue?
“There’s someone waiting for you, Verity,” I assured. Of course, it would help if she could date. But her parents were against that, too.
Even Creed, who was flourishing at Compass BioTek, and had made some great friends he’d moved in with, hadn’t dated. His ‘date’ tonight was his friend Inara.
“Sister, this wedding is amazing.” Hale came over, in his suit, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat, and rested his arm on my head. “I mean, that other party was great, but this one is better.”
“It’s like you were looking at my pin boards,” Verity laughed. “I’ll just hire your wedding planner because this is pretty much my dream wedding. I’d like to get married in a garden. Though I might like a champagne fountain instead of whiskey.”
“That was Wes’ idea,” I told her. It had been quite popular.
Hale shook his head. “I love it.”
“When you meet your giant omega and get married, I’ll help you have the wedding of your dreams, Verity,” I promised.
