Craving Hawk (The Aces' Sons 3)

“We have a bed and a kitchen,” Tommy replied with a smirk. “Don’t need much more space than that.”

Farrah laughed and shook her head while I felt my cheeks freezing in embarrassment. I refused to even look at Callie as she ushered all the women back outside.

“Have fun,” Tommy said, snagging my wrist as I tried to follow them out the door.

“I’m going to hurt you,” I hissed as he tugged me toward him.

“Just go with it,” he ordered, kissing my unresponsive lips. “I’m gonna get some shit set up while you’re gone.”

“What shit?” I asked suspiciously.

“Chairs, music, kegs.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I muttered, throwing my arms in the air.

What had started out as a quiet wedding was turning into a goddamn circus.

“It’s fine,” he said quietly. “The women’ll deal with the food. You’ll figure out flowers and a dress today. Easy.”

“I’m not wearing a big poofy dress,” I warned him, glaring as he smiled.

“Wear whatever the fuck you want,” he said, dropping another kiss on my lips. “Now go.”

I yelped as he smacked my ass as I was walking away, but I didn’t even bother turning around, I just flipped him off over my shoulder.

* * *

“What are you looking for?” Brenna asked as I froze in front of a bridal shop. The display window was full of gowns, mermaid style, princess style, long and lacy, sleeves and strapless.

No.

“Not this,” I said, immediately feeling like an asshole.

I knew they were just trying to be supportive, but the entire thing seemed fake. Just the day before, most of these women or their husbands had been on the phone with Tommy telling him what a bad idea getting married was. They’d cajoled and given out dire warnings and in some cases made me out to sound like a crazy bitch who was luring him in with my magic vagina. I’d heard them. My apartment was tiny. It had been impossible for Tommy to keep his conversations private. They’d said all those things, yet most of them had assumed that Tommy and I had been seeing each other before the lockdown. None of them had any idea that we’d gotten together only a couple of days before.

“Yeah,” Farrah said with a nod, looking me over. “I get you.”

She turned to the group of women who were getting out of their cars and standing on the sidewalk. “This isn’t the place,” she announced. “Follow me.”

She tugged me back to her car where Callie was standing, talking to someone on the phone. “Let’s go, Cal,” she said as she threw open her door. “We’re goin’ somewhere else.”

“What?” Callie asked as she stuffed the phone back in her purse. “Where are we going?”

I cringed and climbed into the back seat, keeping my mouth shut as Farrah explained to Callie that the bridal shop was too prissy.

“I’m sorry, Heather,” Callie said, her embarrassment apparent.

“No,” I said, my voice squeaky. “It was fine, I just—”

Farrah started laughing. “She doesn’t want to look like a fuckin’ cake topper.”

Twenty minutes later we were pulling into a strip mall and parking in front of an antique store.

“Before you say anything, just trust me for a minute,” Farrah said, meeting my eyes in the rear view mirror. “Afterward I’ll take you for a surprise.”

I snorted, but couldn’t help but smile back when she grinned at me.

I liked Callie, but Farrah and I seemed to speak the same language.

Everyone was complaining and asking what the hell Farrah was doing as they climbed out of their cars, but Farrah ignored them. She just looked at Cecilia who was also smiling.

I followed her inside, past a bunch of different vendor stalls with everything from old Pokémon cards to china. Most of it looked like junk, but I kept my mouth shut. She’d said I should trust her, and I was curious to see what the surprise she’d promised was.

“Holy shit,” I mumbled as Farrah came to a stop, throwing her arms out wide.

Hanging in front of her, surrounded by even more junk, was a gorgeous, off-white 1930s wedding dress. It had a deep v-neck, short flowing sleeves that looked like they’d hit right at my elbows and a short train.

“We found it a few months ago,” Cecilia told me as I stared. “But my boobs would make it obscene and Mom wouldn’t have anywhere to wear it. We almost bought it just in case Lily’s boobs don’t get any bigger.” She laughed a little.

“Fucking gorgeous, right?” Farrah asked as I stepped inside the little booth and unhooked the hanger from the ladder it was hanging on. The dress was really well preserved. I couldn’t find any holes or stains, and the back was just as gorgeous as the front.

“Will it fit?” Callie asked.

“If it doesn’t, I can alter it,” I whispered wide-eyed.

“You’re welcome,” Farrah said smugly.