Page 4

***

Chapter 1 | Hot Right Now

Jude (Now)

If a hotel guest looked at me, they would see a well-dressed person who looked like she belonged here.

My custom designer dress is a beautiful gold and sage design with a matching bodice and a hint of black lace in the train that flares out behind me. The colors suit my tanned skin and chestnut hair, and the cut of the dress enhances the little curves I have. Ensuring the train of the dress is securely fastened around my finger, I flick my brown curls over my shoulder as I walk through the hotel lobby.

Because I’m nervous, I’ve overcompensated with my outfit, everything about me screams expensive. I need to look like I belong here, even if I don’t feel like I do.

Stepping outside into a perfect summer’s day, I secure my sunglasses with my free hand as I begin the walk towards the ceremony. I’m a fucking Rhodes, and I need to remember that. It’s time I act like I own the place, because I probably do.

It’s a beautiful day for a wedding in Arizona, and I take a moment to enjoy the greenery lining the path ahead of me. If I had my way, I would shift and explore everything this land offers. Especially since it’s my first time here. But that’s not the plan. I’m only here for the wedding, and tomorrow I can go back to my new life. Away from all ofthis. As it is, I’m cutting it close for the start of the wedding, and if I’m late, Eric Rhodes won’t like that.

The path winds down another bend as I follow the signs directing the guests to the Rhodes wedding, and I thank the Druids I wore sandals. Even if I’m Supernatural, this walk would have killed me in heels. It doesn’t take much longer for me to see the ceremony set up in the distance, and my heart races with those damn nerves again. Attempting to center myself, I put one of those fake smiles on my face, the ones we use for people we don’t like as I near the wedding guests. I’ve been gone for two years, so I should have expected the muttering to start when I made my dramatic appearance at this wedding.

When I got the wedding invite, I knew it wasn’t a request. I was being informed that my attendance was required. When I evaluated my options, I knew if I didn’t show face, Dad might cut me off financially, and since I still need his money, that was the lesser option of the two.

The invite said the theme was ‘Fancy with a touch of green and gold,’ and immediately I called in some favors from local designers to help me out. Because I knew, if you think you’re being too over the top for a Rhodes wedding, add more. I’m pretty sure most of Chicago’s local designers and some French labels have dressed this crowd. It looks more like the Met Gala than a wedding. Good to know that even if I’m out ofpractice, I’ve still got it.

Several wedding planners in their black uniforms scurry in between the guests, ushering everyone to take their seats. I have no idea where mine is or if it’s first come first served. Figuring the back is where I will cause the least disruption, I grab a seat, hoping that no one demands I sit up front with the family.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take the minister long to welcome us, and he’s wearing a suit just like the other men here. It’s an odd choice for a minister, but it fits the aesthetic. “Welcome esteemed guests to this beautiful day, celebrating Autumn and Parker. I’m honored to bless their union before the eyes of the Lord. Love will always endure…”

It’s at that point that I zone out. Interesting that we’re going to keep it human today when more than half of the people here aren’t. If it was just the Druids, we would give thanks to the ones that came before us. We honor them at every milestone of our lives, and I wonder how my cousin got around that for today.

Inspecting the ceremony set up, I see each chair is covered with white material and a matching sage and gold bow tied around the back of the chair. A lot of this setup was riding on perfect weather, and that’s when I spot Dominic’s head in the crowd. The Sorcerers coming to our rescue with magical intervention makes sense.

My eyes follow the gold carpet up to the couple standing under the wooden arbor decorated with lilies and ivy. Those same plants are woven intricately through Autumn’s dark blonde hair with golden threads. They catch the sunlight amongst the several layers of tulle that make up her wedding dress. Not my style, but it works on her.

This is the wedding she always dreamed of. The one we spoke about when we were kids. We may not be close anymore, but even I can tell shelooks happy. They move to their vows, and at that part, Parker chokes up before he says them.

“I, Parker, promise to love you, Autumn, for the rest of our lives and honor this bond between us.”

Cute.He really does love her going by this display of emotion, and I’m touched by the love I see shining in Autumn’s eyes.She feels the same.

After they’ve finished placing their rings on each other, the minister starts his closing passage before he says the words we’ve all been dying to hear.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!”

Another wedding planner runs past, and I’m distracted, wondering what the issue could be. To me, it seems like this wedding is perfect. I know my father wouldn’t have accepted anything less than this. From my position, I can see his head in the front row, right next to my mothers. I can just imagine him radiating smugness at all the attention today will get him.

The wedding guests politely cheer as Autumn melts into Parker, and he kisses her a few seconds past what’s deemed appropriate. My ears pick up a few scandalized gasps, and I have to withhold my snort. Hypocrites. Even if they’re wearing their fancy hats so we can paint a picture of normalcy at this wedding, I know the truth. At least half of us shift into animals and have seen each other naked more times than we would like to admit.

One of the wedding planners shoves a bag of confetti into my hand, distracting me and answering my earlier question. That’s what was so urgent. Turning my attention back to the wedding party up front, I see another wedding planner in the corner, talking into her earpiece. Howmany do they have for this event?! That earpiece must mean she’s in charge, though. It's always funny the things that give people power.

The minister signals for us to stand so we can welcome the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes. Following his instruction, we cheer for the happy couple and shower them with confetti as they walk towards the exit. Autumn startles as she notices me at the back, and I give her an awkward wave in response.

As the bridal party exits the ceremony area, I notice the mess that’s left behind on the gold carpet, covered with the crushed red rose petals. While it’s an odd choice for aesthetic, it makes an impact, and I will give them that.

The wedding planner with the earpiece, the one I think is in charge, starts ushering the guests towards the reception area, and it's hard not to get my back up at the bossy tone in her voice. I wonder if she would behave the same way if she knew who I was. Her red hair is pulled back into such a tight bun; I wonder how she hasn’t got a raging headache already.

“Please hurry along!” she tells us. “We need to get into position for the next part. We don’t want to disappoint Mr. Rhodes.” That’s funny, you would think the couple would be her priority. Her lack of backbone irritates me, and I briefly entertain ripping her head off. But I went to school to find my humanity, amongst other things, and it will do no good for me to lose it now. These people are just doing their jobs, and they’re just more scared of Eric Rhodes than they are of me.

When we get to the venue, the wedding planner tells us to find our names on the seating chart and get settled quickly before the bridal party is done with their photos. Raising my eyebrow, I say nothing as I search theseating chart. The reception hall overlooks a lake, and it’s large enough to accommodate one hundred people easily.

I’m still amazed that Parker agreed to take the Rhodes name. Somehow, Eric Rhodes convinced him that this was a good idea, since apparently he can’t trust his daughters to carry out the simple task of giving him male heirs. His words, not mine.