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The news that Xavier hadn’t been able to secure the drop-off location didn’t faze Jazz nearly as much as it might have. They had been so fortunate, because if Serena’s family had been any other family, untrained and unprepared, the devastation would have been brutal.
Xavier pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and gave her a tender look. “How can someone who fought in a war and has been up all night still look so damn beautiful?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You tell me. You look good enough to eat.”
He lowered his head, his mouth meeting hers in a kiss filled with passion.
Jazz groaned beneath his lips. She could spend a lifetime kissing this man. With that thought in mind, she pulled away from him and said, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Do you want a long engagement?”
“No. I’ve waited for years for you to be mine.”
Love swamped her, and she fought to keep her voice from cracking when she said, “I feel the same way. So, how would you feel if we got married here? Today?”
“Are you sure about that? You don’t want a big wedding with everyone from OZ there?”
She would miss having her OZ family in attendance, but she knew they would understand. And while she knew that a big wedding might be the dream of many women, she wasn’t one of them. Besides, she had learned that life was too short to wait for the perfect time or for everything to fall in line before acting on something.
“We’ll have a party when we get back home for our OZ family. But what I want more than anything is to be yours. And I’d like to make that happen as soon as possible.”
“I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.” Pulling her into his arms, he whispered against her mouth, “Let’s make it happen.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Jazz was convinced that Serena Allen Donavan was an angel on earth, because no one else would have been able to coordinate an entire wedding, including a wedding dress for the bride and a tuxedo for the groom, along with a giant tented wedding reception, in just a few hours.
Yet here Jazz stood, looking at herself in the full-length mirror, and oohing and aahing over the beautiful sight before her. The off-white sleeveless dress was perfect for her small stature and slender body. The beaded V neckline and princess-cut lace bodice emphasized what curves she had, and the short train didn’t overwhelm her petite frame.
Serena had shown her dozens of dresses, and this had been the second one she’d seen. None of the others had come close. Her shoes were the same color and gave her a couple of inches of added height. The only jewelry besides the beautiful diamond on her hand was the heart locket around her neck, which looked perfect with her dress.
She’d used a minimum of makeup, just a touch of mascara to lengthen her lashes, a hint of bronze and purple to make her brown eyes look smoky, and a reddish coral for her lips. Since her cheeks were flushed with excitement, added color was not needed.
“Oh, Jazz, you look spectacular.”
Whirling, she grinned at Serena. “Thanks to you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of this.”
“I’m thrilled you guys are doing this here. We haven’t had a wedding in our little chapel in years.”
Serena had pointed out the family chapel the first day Jazz had arrived. She’d explained that though her family preferred to worship in Appleton because of the larger congregation, when the winter weather prevented them from traveling, they worshiped at the chapel.
“I should have asked if I could help clean it or?—”
“Not necessary. We take turns cleaning it each week. It’s just sitting there, waiting for people to fill it.”
At that thought, a hint of sadness dimmed her smile. If she had waited until later, she could have had her entire OZ family here. Even though she wanted to marry Xavier as soon as possible, she couldn’t help but feel guilty that she was leaving them out.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was just wishing everyone could be here.”
“Nonsense. They’re all thrilled for you. Like you said earlier, we’ll have a big party when everyone is together again.”
She knew Serena was right. When she had talked to Ash this morning, she had heard the happiness in his voice when she’d told him she and Xavier were getting married today.
“You’re right.” Jazz gestured to the pale peach gown Serena was wearing. “You look lovely, by the way. Thank you for being my matron of honor.”