Boarded by Love (Bellevue Bullies 1)

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it.”

“Yeah, but still,” Miles says, and I feel like I shouldn’t be here.

“I’m gonna give y’all some privacy. I think Reese needs me,” I say and they both look at me. I almost think they forgot I was in the room.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll see you out there,” Phillip says.

“Yeah, good luck,” I say before kissing his cheek and then I escape from the weirdness of that situation.

Crossing the hall, I open the door and the first thing I see is the back of Reese, her dress falling ever so gorgeously down her body. Her hair is up in a very intricate hairdo, braids and curls all wrapped into one. Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she smiles. I smile back and come up beside her, leaning my head onto hers as we gaze into each other’s eyes in the mirror. Unlike her hair, mine is down in one long braid, but with a bump at the top, giving it a very elegant look. Her makeup is done so softly, almost classic, like her dress.

And by the way, the dress is looking a little snug. Especially around the midsection. She’s gained some weight, but I wouldn’t dare tell her that. She’s stressed out, and the way she deals with that is Ben & Jerry’s, and who can blame her? I’m a whore for those two men too.

Putting her hand up on my cheek, her big diamond ring sparkles in the light, and she smiles as she whispers, “You’re gorgeous, Claire.”

“So are you.”

“I don’t look fat? My dress is tight,” she says, her face dropping the grin from before. “I curse you Ben & Jerry!”

I laugh as I shake my head. “Not at all, you’re gorgeous.”

“Such a smart girl.”

She winks at me, and I grin as I wrap my arms around her waist. I hear cameras going crazy, but I don’t care about them. I’m mentally treasuring this moment with a woman whom I look up to and love.

“How’s Phillip?” she asks.

“Good. His brother showed up, Miles?”

“Did he? Good,” she says with a grin. “I was hoping he would.”

“Yeah, it was weird,” I inform her.

“Yeah, they have a strained relationship. Hopefully, his coming will mend it.”

“Phillip seemed happy to see him,” I point out.

“He loves Miles. I know it was important for him to be here.”

“You’re a good fiancée,” I say with a grin, and she returns it.

“I try,” she says with a wink. Standing up, she goes to the desk before turning to me with a little box in her hands. “I got you something.”

I smile. “Oooh, what?”

She laughs as she hands it to me. It’s a little blue box, and that means one thing – it’s from Tiffany’s. Opening it quickly, I’m suddenly fighting back tears when I see a necklace that holds a heart charm. The chain is silver and gorgeous, but the charm is a thing of beauty. It’s made of diamonds, except for three colored stones that I know are Reese’s, Phillip’s, and my birthstones.

“Turn it around,” she says, and I swallow as I do as she asks. On the back, it is engraved: So you always have a piece of us with you. Love, Reese and Phillip.

“Oh, Reese,” I gasp, running my finger along the engraving. “It’s amazing.”

She takes it from my hands before putting it on me. Looking in the mirror, I take in the beauty of not only us but also the necklace as she wraps her arms around my waist.

“No matter what, Claire, we will always be here for you. We are your rock. We love you. I love you.”

A small tear streams down my face, and I wipe it away quickly. “I love you. Thank you.”

She kisses my cheek and leans her head on my shoulder. I hear a camera again, and I hope that shot came out. I want it, but just in case, I mentally lock this moment away.