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“I’ll wake you when it’s time.” Esme’s voice was soft, like it was coming from miles away.
“M’kay.”
CHAPTER 15
Grayson
Rhett’s gaze roved over the lavishly decorated ballroom and he let out a low whistle. “Mom’s absolutely outdone herself.” Silk gauze trailed from the ceiling, intertwined with fairy lights that twinkled like stars in a twilight sky. Each corner bloomed with elaborate floral arrangements, their sweet scent subtly filling the air. He turned to Wolfe. “What does Esme think?”
“She loves it. Well, that’s what she tells Mom.”
“What does she tell you?” I asked, mildly curious.
“That she couldn’t give two fucks about the decorations, and petite fours, and four different types of champagne. She just can’t wait until we’re married. All of this,” he waved his hand to indicate the room, “is nothing more than surface bullshit.”
“Mom does love her surface bullshit, though.”
“That she does.” Esme and the kids walked in. “And there’s my cue.”
Wolfe moved off to greet Esme. Stef walked in just behind her and the moment I saw her, I frowned. She looked... off. Even worse than she had earlier today, when she arrived. What the fuck was going on?
“Gray, you okay?” Rhett nudged me, following my gaze.
Before I could answer, the officiant, an old family friend named Rowan, entered the room behind Stef. He was a tall, slender man with a gentle face and graying hair at the temples.
Mom rushed forward to greet him. “Rowan,sucha pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise, Christine, likewise.” Rowan shook hands with my mom and dad, Esme and Wolfe. When he reached Stef, his smile widened. “And you are?”
“Here we go.” There was no mistaking the amusement in Rhett’s tone.
My mother’s lips were already pursed with disapproval at the sight of Stef. Stef was dressed way more sedately than usual, in a plain, dark gray dress and flats, with her hair pulled back in a low ponytail. But I knew my mother, and she was not happy about the blue hair.
It was an effort not to roll my eyes as I joined the group, just as Esme said, “This is Stef. She’s my maid of honor.”
“We’re getting all sorts of people around the house these days.” And there was Mom, sounding like she was sucking on a lemon.
Stef flinched, and I didn’t hesitate to add, “Indeed we are. Very talented musicians who are making waves in the music scene. Selling out venues all over the country, in fact.” Stef glanced atme, an unreadable expression on her face. Maybe…gratitude? Surely not.
Rowan held Stef’s hand in his for a long moment. “Fabulous! I hope we get a chance to hear you sing.”
“Ah, yes, tomorrow, at the reception.”
“I look forward to it.” He turned to Mom, as though expecting her to agree with him.
That must have been a very bitter lemon, since my mom’s lips formed a flat line while she wrestled with herself, before finally saying, “I, too, look forward to hearing you sing.”
Stef’s smile was strained, her eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. “Thank you, Mrs. Rivers,” she replied politely.
I could feel the tension, thick and uncomfortable. Fuck, my mom could be a bitch when she wanted to be. Before anyone could say anything more, Rowan clapped his hands. “Shall we begin the rehearsal?”
Stef, Esme and the kids went out to the foyer, while my brothers and I took up our positions at the top of the aisle, on a low dais under the floral archway where the ceremony would take place.
“And now, the processional music begins and the bride and her attendants enter. We hear sighs and perhaps a few tears are shed at how lovely everyone looks.”
Stef stepped through the double doors with Belle beside her. Taking Belle’s hand in hers, she made her way slowly up the blue carpeted aisle.
“That’s right, that’s right. Hold her hand, that’s perfect.”