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She placed a hand on my cheek. “Thanks for planning this.”

I remembered her trembling hands earlier. “Are you really okay after the attack?”

She got off my lap and sat next to me, her hand still in my grip. “I’m okay now. The attack brought back an awful memory.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

She looked at me. “Maybe after the wedding. We’re on vacation, so I don’t want my past to ruin it.”

I wanted to break the man’s bones for making her suffer. What had happened to her? Did this have anything to do with the man she claimed to have murdered? That was a story I needed to know sooner rather than later.

“When you’re ready, I want to know everything.”

She smiled warmly. “Let me get your cane and the ointment.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

VANESSA

Even though thiswas a fake wedding, nerves still wreaked havoc in my stomach. I should be calm since this wasn’t a real ceremony. No one would be in attendance except me, Attikus, and the justice of the peace.

The gorgeous Kealoha sisters, who owned Maui’s Beauty Salon, came early this morning with the dress and everything I’d bought at the Happily Ever After Boutique.

In my bedroom, Alanna, the older sister wearing a long yellow dress, worked on my hair. She added big waves, piled up my hair, and secured the veil.

She stepped back, studying her work. “Beautiful.”

When the younger sister, Nalani, finished my makeup, I didn’t recognize myself. I’d never had a professional do my hair or makeup for any special events. I usually did my own for art exhibits. I felt like a celebrity.

After the sisters helped me get into my wedding gown and put on my jewelry, I dug out cash from my purse to tip them.

Smiling, Alanna shook her head. “Mr. Mount has already paid us with an exceptional tip.”

“You’re such a stunning bride. Thank you for letting us be part of your special day.” Nalani beamed.

“Thank you for making me feel and look like a princess.”

“It’s easy when the bride is beautiful and not a Bridezilla.” Nalani made a face. “We’ve dealt with all kinds of brides. You’re the calmest.”

If only they could see the wild party inside my stomach. If only they knew this wasn’t an actual ceremony.

“Let’s check on the groom before we head out.” Alanna headed for the bedroom where Attikus was getting dressed. I hadn’t seen him since last night.

We didn’t follow the tradition of not seeing each other prior to the event. Times had changed, and this fake ceremony didn’t warrant any cherished tradition.

Was he nervous?

I gasped, realizing we didn’t prepare or review any vows.

As the Kealoha sisters said goodbye, they reminded me that their photographer friend, Hoku, would arrive soon.

I waited to hear the door click closed and walked out of the bedroom in my new heels, wondering where my groom was. I walked as quietly as I could to the bedroom at the other end of the house. This marvelous home had four bedrooms with oceanfront views. Being a gentleman, Attikus had given me the primary bedroom to sleep in last night. We’d spent some time in the living room with me massaging his ankle. I’d learned the technique from an online video when I twisted my ankle during college.

Attikus seemed to enjoy the massage. Something strange had occurred yesterday. Maybe it had started when he’d spotted me in his backyard. Was it only yesterday? Gosh, it seemed like a while ago. It didn’t matter when, where, what, or how. What mattered was that something had shifted between us.

Last night, we’d talked about random things as though we’d been dating for years. Perhaps being away from home allowed me—us—to detach physically and mentally. That was why people went on vacation.

I didn’t mind massaging the ointment into his ankle since he’d been injured because of me. The cut was minor, but it could’ve been a lot worse. What if that crazy man had broken his ankle again? Attikus had mentioned that his ankle and knee were healing from a wound he’d acquired in his youth. I couldn’t live with the guilt if he had broken them again.