Caspian (Carolina Reapers 8)

Mom pushed the catalogue toward me again. “Just think about it. I know you have to go meet Caspian soon,” she said. “And I still have to get ready.” She rose from the table, stopping just before she left the kitchen. “How are things going with Caspian?” she asked, not at all subtle with her waggling eyebrows.

“Mom!” I groaned again, but flashed her a playful look. “This is why you asked him to take me to the wedding, isn’t it?” I laid my hand on the college stuff.

“I have no earthly idea what you’re referring to,” she said. “It’s not my fault that boy is handsome and charming and fun. If he happens to shake you out of your rut and make you look at the world laying at your feet?” She shrugged. “Then no one can say I’m to blame for that. That’s all him.”

“Uh huh,” I said as she rounded the corner out of sight. When I heard her footsteps up the wooden stairs, I flipped open the course catalogue. I quickly shut it after my heart did a little jump at the welding classes.

I didn’t have time to think about a master’s program right now. Sure, I may be letting go of the future I once planned, and yes that likely had a whole hell of a lot to do with Caspian shaking up my world, but I couldn’t think straight enough to make any major decisions about my life right now. I’d barely come to terms with the breakup, and now that Caspian and I had crossed that line? Maybe I did want more than I ever thought I did.

But, I also wasn’t naïve enough to think Caspian was my happily ever after. He was leaving after the wedding, for fuck’s sake. Which was in—

Shit!

I pushed away from the table, calling a quick goodbye to my mom before heading out the door. I’d only come over earlier to help her sort out a jewelry emergency, and now I had to get to my house, grab my dress, and then head to the chapel for some pre-wedding setup with Caspian.

I tried not to think about how excited and nervous I was to see him before the ceremony, and how tangled up I already was with the knowledge that he was leaving tomorrow. But, if I only had one more night with him, I sure as hell was going to make it count.

Everything else? Sorting out my life and priorities? That could all wait until Caspian was free from my presence, enough to give me a clear mind. Because when he was around? I couldn’t think straight to save my life.

“Yeah, sis, I got it.” Caspian said as I put the finishing touches on the garland around the chairs in the chapel venue room. He widened his gaze at me as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Trust me, when have I ever done you wrong?” He rolled his eyes. “That was one time, and mainly your fault.” He laughed. “Aren’t you supposed to be turning into a princess or some shit right about now?” He glanced down at his watch. “You only have two hours before we don’t share the same last name anymore.” A serious look replaced his playful one, and damn me if it didn’t melt my cold heart. “Yes, I promise. Savannah and Hendrix just left for the hotel to get ready. Me and Ryleigh have everything else covered. Focus on yourself. This is your big day.” He shook his head, grinning at the phone. “I love you too,” he said, then hung up the phone.

Catching the brother and sister sesh was so not good for my whole he’s leaving and this doesn’t matter agenda. Good God, could he be any sweeter?

“London isn’t a control freak or anything,” he teased, pocketing his phone.

“Everyone is allowed a little freaking out on their wedding day,” I said, stopping before him in the long corridor outside the venue room.

“Do you have the list?” he asked, and I nodded, pulling out the notebook and showing him the checklist.

“Savannah handed it off before she left,” I said. “She had two more things to do, but I offered to take over so she could get ready.”

“Flowers, check. Garland, check. Programs, check.” Caspian slid his finger down the list, reading off all the items before nodding. “Nice,” he said. “You’re amazing. I’m so glad I didn’t have to do this alone.”

I grinned up at him, tossing the notebook on a side table. “It was pretty fun watching you and Hendrix braid the lace through the chairs to create the aisles,” I said, barely holding back a laugh.

He stepped into my space, nothing but pure mischief in his eyes. “Is there something funny about two grown men working with delicate white lace and fresh cut roses?”