Page 140 of By Invitation Only

“Let’s go get you married.”

I nodded and pulled back.

As we walked down the stairs and made our way to the doors that led out to the pool, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I was about to marry Booker. Booker Jameson. I was about to become Peyton Jameson. The thought made me realize that if you gave someone a chance, they might become what you always wanted—who you were always missing.

I was missing Booker all those years.

My dad and I stopped just before exiting the doors. Lorelei was there with Randy because they were walking down the aisle before me. Even though we were having a small, intimate wedding, we wanted them to be a part of it. Amelia’s children were the flower girl and ring bearer, and Carrie was officiating. Yes, Booker’s ex-wife who he gave away at her wedding was marrying us.

“You look so beautiful,” Lorelei beamed.

I looked down at my princess style wedding dress with sequins on the skirt. I felt beautiful. “Thanks, babe.”

Randy stepped up and gave me a side hug. “If Trent Inglewood was my client and not Booker’s, would we be getting married instead?”

I pushed him away as Lorelei hissed, “Randy!”

“What?” he asked with a shit eating grin. “That’s how they started.”

“You better knock it off, or we’re—” Her gaze moved to my dad’s, and she smiled then turned back to her boyfriend. “Just knock it off.”

“You love me.”

“I don’t love you hitting on my best friend.”

I shook my head, chuckling. These two were made for each other and yes, in love. Randy had confessed his love for her after Carrie’s wedding three months ago while they’d walked on the beach. Seemed my man wasn’t the only romantic one.

“If you two are done, I think it’s time,” Dad stated as the music started to play.

I watched Randy escort Lorelei down the aisle that was just to the right of the pool. Evening had started to descend, casting a yellow hue across all of our family and friends. I made it a point to not look at the front so I didn’t see Booker. I wanted to wait until I got to the far end of the walkway and then look to find him. I wanted to look directly at him as I made my way to my forever with him.

Amelia stepped up, smiled at me and then told Ryder it was time for him to go find Uncle Booker. I smiled back and then watched as she gave Emily a basket with red rose petals inside. Not only were the roses the first flowers Booker gave me, but they symbolized Booker’s grandmother because they were her favorite. She’d obviously meant so much to him for him, and I felt that she should bring a little beauty to our day.

“Ready?”

I nodded, and my dad and I started to walk as Lennon & Maisy’s version ofBoom Clapstarted to play. I kept my eyes looking down at the bouquet of red roses in my hand as we walked toward the end of the aisle. Our guests probably assumed I was embarrassed since I didn’t meet any of their eyes, but if they only knew what I’d done by this pool, it would blow their minds.

I stopped just at the last row of chairs and waited for the second verse to start. When it did, I looked up and my eyes met Booker’s just as the words being sung talked about the person being the glitter of her world. Booker was definitely my glitter in my darkness.

Booker smiled.

I smiled.

And everything and everyone around us disappeared as I walked closer to him because he was my guiding light in a world that was empty before him.

Booker and my father shook hands, and then dad turned to me, kissed me on the forehead, and found his seat next to my mother. I turned and looked up at Booker. He had tears in his eyes. For the past fifteen minutes, I’d been trying not to be a sobbing mess, but seeing this cocky man crying made me shed my tears.

“I’m glad you showed,” he teased in my ear.

I chuckled through my tears. I knew he was only saying it to lighten the mood. He was truly meant for me.

We held hands, and Booker mouthed, “You’re beautiful.”

I knew that my father was right. Booker saw me as his world, and not just some woman in it.

And to think…

It had all started with an invitation.

The End.