“Not at all.” In fact, I love that he thought about it. The silver lotus looks perfect when paired with my white dress. She clasps it for me, and I exhale, touching my fingertips to the flower. This is all happening so suddenly. I can’t help wishing I could savor at least a bit of it.
I’m marrying Quinton today. I’m going to be his wife. It’s too big to wrap my head around, but I better wrap my head around it because it’s going to happen any minute now.
“The flowers!” Scarlet scurries across the room, where a gorgeous bouquet waits in a vase by the window. I didn’t notice it before now, or if I did, I guess I assumed it belonged to whoever this room belongs to. Turns out it’s my wedding bouquet, consisting of big, luscious gardenias and hydrangea with a few cream-colored roses sprinkled in.
“This is beautiful. It’s all so beautiful.” And when Ella steps away, allowing me to look at myself in a mirror hanging on the back of the door, I almost can’t believe my eyes. In a matter of minutes, they’ve transformed me into a bride. The floor-length satin dress and its lace sleeves, combined with the pretty, feminine updo Scarlet somehow created and the soft makeup she applied, take my breath away. I barely recognize myself.
“You can’t tell me you didn’t plan this somehow.” I look at them in the reflection, standing behind me with an arm around each other’s waists. “No way you made this happen out of nowhere.”
“Let’s just say we wanted to plan for all contingencies when we arrived.” Ella runs a finger under her eye like she might be tearing up.
“Thank you both so much. I know this isn’t ideal, but…” I look at myself again and can’t help but smile. “You made me feel beautiful. Like a bride. I can’t ever thank you enough.”
“You’re going to make me cry now, too.” Scarlet sniffles.
Ella waves her hands in front of her face. “No time for that. Let’s go get you married.”
I know there’s no point in them asking whether I want to go through with this. They merely assume I do.
If it means sparing my life and getting to be Quinton’s wife at the same time, I’m more than willing. In fact, I can’t wait. I love him. I want nothing more than to be with him forever. No more obstacles. No reasons to pretend we aren’t together.
I was ready for my life to be over. Now, it’s only the beginning.
With Ella on one side and Scarlet on the other, they walk me to the library. I feel like I’m floating on a cloud, completely caught up in the moment. So caught up, in fact, I almost didn’t notice Lucas waiting outside the library doors.
“We’ll go inside.” Ella kisses my cheek and Scarlet the other before they go into the library. A thank you is sitting at the tip of my tongue, but they are already gone before I can form the words.
Lucas looks me up and down, then smiles. “Considering the speed with which they put you together, you make a beautiful bride.”
“Is this really happening?”
“It is. Are you ready?”
“How could anybody be ready for this?”
“Good point. But it’s for the best if it means sparing your life.” He cares. I almost can’t believe it, but he really wants me to make it out of this.
One surprise follows another when he steps up beside me and holds out his bent arm. “May I walk you down the aisle?”
“I’d be happy if you did.” I tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow, then take a deep breath.
It looks like I’m about to get married.
36
QUINTON
I’ve never taken the time to imagine my wedding day. I doubt many guys have. But if I had, there’s no way I could have come up with this in a million years.
Still, we could do worse. The high, bowed ceilings and light streaming through the windows bring to mind a cathedral. The chandeliers add to the effect. It’s more impressive than a room at City Hall anyway. It’s still not as much as Aspen deserves, though.
Brittney takes a few steps back from the arch she created. “Not bad, considering I had to come up with something in record time.” I have to agree. She emptied a few shelves' worth of books, creating two tall stacks before sliding one of the wooden shelves free from a bookcase and using it as an arch. I have to give her points for creativity. Beneath it stands the priest my father flew in for the occasion.
And here I am, waiting for my bride. It’s all happening so fast. And if I feel shell-shocked, I can only imagine what Aspen is going through. At least she had the presence of mind not to waste time fighting or demanding an explanation. The founders could arrive at any time, and they aren’t going to waste a minute.