Page 40 of Dangerous Encore

The car slows to a stop. The engineturnsoff.

I look up to the sunroof. It's just a glass panel looking up at the deep blue sky. I let my eyes fall closed and I whisper one more goodbye to my babybrother.

The driver pulls the door open. He nods to my mother and offershishand.

She squeezes me in one last hug. "You look beautiful, sweetheart. This is going to beperfect."

I nod as she releases the hug. She takes the driver's hand and steps out ofthelimo.

Then it'sPiper.

She nearly jumps into my lap to throw her arms around me. "You really do lookbeautiful."

"Youtoo."

"I'm so glad you're going to officially be my sister." She pulls back with a smile. "And just… I really am happy foryouguys."

I nod. It's all I can do. My stomach is too full of butterflies. My mouth is toosticky.

This is reallyhappening.

Piper slides out ofthelimo.

Thenit'sme.

But that isn't the driver's hand. It's mydad's.

"Need a little help, princess?"heasks.

I have to laugh. He hasn't called me princess in a million years. Not since my very short Disney princessphase.

I take his hand. "Thanks." It's a struggle to get my dress out of the limo without stepping on it, but I manage. "I do feel like aprincess."

His smile is wide. "You look like one. You look beautiful." There are no pretenses on his face. It's not ayou're so unique, Violetsmile. He's justhappy.

"Thanks." I wrap my arms around him and squeeze tightly. My parents and I fight, and I worry what they think, and they don't always get me, but I love them, and I know they do want the best for me. And I'm so glad they're here. That they're in my life in ameaningfulway.

"Can I be cheesy for aminute?"

"It's my wedding day." God, it's really my wedding day. "It would be weirder if you weren'tcheesy."

He smiles. "I'm happy for you and Ethan. He's a wonderful young man, even with thetattoos."

I laugh. "You know I have somenowtoo."

He nods. "This is the start of a new phase of your life. A lot of things will change. But no matter what, you'll always be my little girl, and I'll always be here when you need me. Nomatterwhat."

God, now I'm really crying. I wipe my tears with my thumbs. I hug my dadagain.

This is reallyhappening.

The wedding coordinator's voice pulls me back to reality. "You ready to go,Violet?"

"Yeah. I think I really am." I'm ready todothis.

She's in a smart black suit, a headset pressed to her ear. She hands me my bouquet—crimson roses wrapped in blackribbon.

Dad laughs. "Perfect."