Conceal

“You’re all here.”

“They are.”

“For our engagement.”

“About that . . .” I trail off.

“What’s going on?”

“I love you, and you know how I said that I wanted to love you until forever?” Her head bobs. “Well, how about if forever starts today?”

She shakes her head in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I want to marry you today. Everyone who means anything to us is here . . . so what do you say?”

“We just got engaged.”

“Good thing you said yes.”

“Who’s going to marry us?”

I hear a cough and look up to see Trent walking over. “I actually can do that for you.” He laughs.

“Seriously?” Willow’s eyes are wide.

“Yeah, I was bored and maybe a little drunk. Don’t ask.”

“Oh, I won’t.” Willow laughs. “And what about a dress?”

Addison walks forward. “I got you covered. My friend Madeline works for a couture clothing line, Valentina Fisher. She made you a one-of-a-kind couture gown.”

I step up to her and place my hands on her jaw. “We don’t have to do it like this if you don’t want. We can go back to New York. We can throw a bi—”

“No. This is what I want. Like this. Everyone I care about is here, but even if they weren’t.” She looks me in the eyes. “You are. And that’s all that matters. Being with you. Being your wife.”

I lean forward and kiss her mouth. “Let’s get married.”

* * *

Willow

My arm is being tugged, and I’m in so much shock, I allow River to pull me down the hall and into a bedroom.

The sound of the door closing has me shaking my head and remembering what we are doing.

“First, hair and makeup and then the dress,” River says, and that’s when I notice that standing next to Jaxson’s mom is a woman I have never met before.

“Hi,” she says, stepping closer to me. “I’m Krista, and I’ll be doing your hair and makeup for the big day.”

“He really did think of everything,” I say as I extend my hand and shake hers. “I’m Willow, but I have to assume you know this already.”

She lets out a soft laugh and nods. “I do. I also know you don’t really wear makeup and that you like to wear your hair down with loose curls.”

“Wow. I didn’t realize he noticed that much.”

“That was actually my input,” Maggie says from across the room. When she’s standing in front of me, I tilt my head and bite my lip.

“Thanks for being here,” I whisper.

“As if I’d miss your wedding.” She laughs, and then I start to laugh because this is really crazy. Here I thought we were going on a business trip, not my wedding. “Now, let’s get you ready.” She grabs my hand and leads me to where the makeup woman has set up.

An hour later, my strawberry blond hair is styled in loose waves, and makeup adorns my cheeks and eyes.

When I step into my one-of-a-kind couture dress, my breath leaves my body.

I feel like a princess.

The dress is perfect. Every last detail. With tulle and hand-sewn beadwork, it’s divine.

When the veil is placed on my head, Jaxson’s mom walks over to me. Her eyes are filled with tears.

“You are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I say, my own tears gathering.

“I’m so happy you’ll be my daughter.”

Fresh moisture trails down my cheek, and she starts to shake her head. “No. None of that. Jaxson will kill me.” She laughs, and I wipe away the lone tear.

In the distance, I can hear the creak of the door, and I look up to see Grayson walking into the room.

“Can I come in?” he asks, and I nod. When he’s standing in front of me, butterflies start to flutter in my stomach from nerves. “Willow,” he starts. “I know your father isn’t here . . .” He stops and lifts his right arm up and runs it through his hair. “I’m doing this wrong.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “I love my brother,” he starts again. “But in the past, I didn’t understand him. I wasn’t there for him. I wasn’t the big brother I should have been. But having you in his life . . . you gave me my brother back. Through you, and his relationship with you, I was able to see the man he was, and how wrong I was. Thank you, Willow.” Tears well in my eyes. “What I wanted to say to you is that it would be a great honor to me if you would let me walk you down the aisle.”

I need to inhale deeply and stare up at the ceiling to calm the tears of joy threatening to spill from me.

It’s hard to find my words, but I know that I need this. Jax needs this, and Grayson needs this.

The Price boys have had their differences but allowing Grayson to give me away will help bridge the gap to the future.