Second Chance Rival

I felt them sit beside me, placing their hands on my back. They rubbed up and down in a comforting gesture.

“I promise it’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be. I speak from experience. From what I’ve seen of Beau’s grandson, he’s devastatingly handsome. Have you seen the body on that man?”

“Grandmother!” I stared at her with wide eyes.

“What? I’m married, not dead.”

“She’s right, Belle. He truly is a catch. You’re going to make the most beautiful babies.”

“Babies?” I replied, caught off guard. “Why is everyone acting like this marriage is normal?”

“Are you nervous about tonight?” Grandmother questioned, smirking. “You don’t have to be anxious, sweetheart. You’re a Montgomery, and we know how to please our men.”

“Oh my God… Please someone kill me now.”

“Do you need some pointers?”

“Grandmother, you can stop talking now.”

This was the first time she was speaking to me like this. I guessed getting married was her invitation to openly discuss sex with me now.

“I’m just say—”

“I know what you’re just saying, and I don’t need to hear the rest.”

“Belle, there’s no need to play coy,” Mom implied. “I think it’s lovely you’re marrying your first love. He was your first at other things too?”

“Okay.” I tensely stood. “This was a great talk. I think I’m ready to go jump off a bridge now.”

As if on cue, the wedding planner walked in. “We’re ready when you are, Belle.”

“I’m never going to be ready, so let’s get this over with.”

And the sad thing was, I meant every last word of that statement.

Chapter 7

—Tristian—

The number of reporters outside of the church was fucking insane. Of course, my grandfather was insistent on answering every question the press threw at him as he walked into the church, making sure to pay tribute to his family. Most of the guests I didn’t know from a hole in the wall. I recognized the faces of the men who mattered; they were the only ones of importance to me.

There I was…

Turning the pages, opening the next chapters of my life with a woman I never thought I’d see again. To have Belle in my life, not just once, but twice, wasn’t lost on me. If anything, it only made me appreciate this second chance that much more. I tried to keep my mind focused on the present. However, I couldn’t help but remember the last time we were at a celebration of this magnitude.

Belle’s debutante ball.

I wasn’t supposed to be there, though that didn’t stop me. I showed up for the girl who’d always meant something to me. From the first time I talked to her, Belle had the ability to take me out of myself. It was easy to let my guard down around her. Right from the start, she was different from all the other girls. Our families rivalry might have been my initial draw to her, but it quickly became something else entirely. Something I couldn’t walk away from until they’d left me no choice and sent me away.

Inhaling a deep, solid breath, I waited for my bride at the altar. Suddenly, the music began, and in walked our wedding party, followed by Belle Montgomery.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Hawkins.

My wife.

I watched in avid fascination at how gorgeous she truly was. How she stood out from everyone in the church, like she always did in our town. She was stunning, stealing all the air from my lungs without even trying. Her long blonde hair was pinned to the left side with loose curls framing her beautiful face. The neckline of her white lace wedding gown was low in the front, flawlessly framing her luscious body. The dress accentuated the curves of her petite yet curvy frame with a train at least twenty feet behind her.

She looked classy.