Page 51

Erica fastened the necklace around Alexandra’s neck, then stepped back. “Now that’s a spectacular something blue.”

She laughed, touching the blue diamonds at the center of the galaxy. She studied her reflection, running her hands over the fitted bodice and voluminous skirt of the silver gown. She’d forgotten how much she loved this dress. Had blocked it out.

“This is really happening,” she murmured.

“You look fabulous. Ready to head down?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll text Lee and make sure JT’s in the ballroom and not out on the promenade.”

They left the suite’s primary bedroom and knocked on the other bedroom door, where Curt and Mara waited with Gemma and Grace. “Ready when you are.”

Curt opened the door to reveal Gemma and Grace in silver flower girl dresses.

Alexandra and Erica both squealed at seeing them. “Utterly adorable,” Erica said.

“I’m a princess, Mama.” Grace twirled, letting her skirt flare.

“Yes, you are, baby.”

The plan was for Mara to accompany the two flower girls down the aisle because it was unlikely they would successfully navigate the distance on their own. They would be followed by Erica as matron of honor. Colin was already with best man Lee, acting as ring bearer.

Alexandra would be escorted down the aisle by Curt. Her parents would be seated in the front row, but neither was truly cognizant of the occasion. It was enough that they were there.

They took the elevator to the lobby and Alexandra enjoyed the oohs and ahhs that greeted them from hotel guests. They were all princesses today.

They took their spot outside the side door for the ballroom, where Trina had been waiting. She darted inside and let the officiant know they were ready to begin.

Alexandra kissed Gemma and repeated the instructions for walking with Mara and Grace. Erica handed both girls baskets of flower petals, but they all knew the odds of any being sprinkled were slim at best, just as Colin was too young to take ring bearer duties seriously.

But neither Alexandra nor JT cared if the kids performed their roles or if they chose to sit or stand. They just wanted their friends present, and she wanted her daughter as close as possible.

She smiled at her assembled attendants. “Let’s roll.”

Mara and the girls entered, and she heard laughter as the two underage flower girls stole the show.

“I hope Mark is getting video.”

“If he’s not, I know at least half a dozen others are,” Erica said. The laughter subsided. “Sounds like I’m up.” She kissed Alexandra’s cheek. “See you on the other side.”

She went through the door. Curt held out his arm, and Alexandra took it. “Thank you for doing this.”

“It is my absolute honor.” He kissed her temple, and the bridal march started.

It was so strange how the song struck her in the heart at that moment. But before she could take it in, they were stepping through the door, and her gaze traveled the aisle and landed on the tuxedoed man on the other end of it. He was devastatingly handsome. His eyes were fixed on hers with an intensity that took her breath away.

The love of her life was finally and completely hers. No holding back.

A lexandra had mesmerized him from their first meeting, but JT had never guessed it was possible for her to be even more beautiful than the twenty-five-year-old he’d wooed and won, or even the thirty-year-old he’d foolishly lost. But here she was, sparkling in a lush silver gown and glittering with a diamond galaxy around her neck.

This incredible woman was his. Now and forever.

Not once during the ceremony did he think of Moss or anything that could mar the moment. He only had eyes for Alexandra and the life they were forging together, again, and for the first time.

Gemma had made it almost all the way through his vows before squealing and attempting to break free of Mara’s hold. Alexandra asked JT with her eyes how he wanted to handle it, and he nodded.

She gestured for Gemma to join them, and he finished his part while Gemma played with the voluminous silk fabric that made up Alexandra’s skirt. He then scooped the girl up and held her on his hip while Alexandra said her vows.

With Gemma between them, the kiss was chaste and brief, and the little girl then demanded her own kiss, giving them each a wet smack in return.

And then it was done. On what would have been their eleventh anniversary, Alexandra Vargas was his wife at long last.

F or an impromptu wedding, it was surprisingly organized. For what was supposed to be a company party, it was surprisingly fun.

After a five-course dinner, JT danced with his wife, holding their daughter between them. They danced and visited with guests for at least an hour before they both escaped into the suite to put an exhausted Gemma to bed. Thankfully, she was too tired to fight the new setting and being left with a sitter, and they were able to return to the party twenty minutes later.

They were greeted with the news that both Russ and Brent had been arrested—the vial that had been found inside the computer had indeed held GHB and had Brent’s fingerprints on it. It might not be admissible given the broken chain of evidence, but between that, the diary, the recording, and other conversations Kendall had caught with her hidden cameras, they had enough to bring them in and hope one or both would turn on Calvin.

Brent was their best bet. He had the most direct tie to Kendall and would be eager to distance himself from her murder. The video of them together prevented him from claiming he hadn’t spoken with her in the weeks before her death.

The search for the money had only just begun.

They drank champagne, toasting to arrests in addition to the usual wedding speeches, then they danced until it was time for cake.

They’d been unable to order a tiered cake at the last minute, but JT had promised he’d find something special and was gratified by Lex’s laugh when she saw the plate of fancy muffins next to several eight-inch cakes in different flavors.

Instead of cutting a piece from one of the cakes, she plucked a pumpkin muffin from the plate and held it up to him. He took a bite from the top, just like he had that first night.

“You are the very best thing that ever happened to me,” she whispered. “You even gave me Gemma, in your own way.”

He cleared his throat of emotion and said, “And now you’re sharing her with me and I can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am.”

He turned the muffin to her, and she took a bite. “Do you want a slice of cake?”

She shook her head, grabbed his hand, and pulled him back toward the dance floor. “Let’s shake the rust off your ballroom.”

He laughed and took her into his arms as “The Way You Look Tonight” came on. He stared down into her beautiful face. “I think it’s time I sell the Lotus.”

She stopped swaying, eyes wide with surprise. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I see a minivan in my future.”

She grinned. “Just when I think you can’t surprise me any more.”

The joy in her eyes stole his breath. He kissed her, then tightened his hold, and they swayed to the music. This was one of the most content moments of his life.

“This is better,” she said.

“Better?”

“Than if we’d done this before. Sure, the wedding would have been just as pretty. I’d have worn the same dress and necklace—and I love both so much, I might not let you take them off me tonight.”

He grinned. “I can work with that.” Oh yeah, that silver fabric did things to him.

She laughed. “But even so, if we’d done this eleven years ago, the marriage would have failed because it’s not about the wedding. It’s about what comes tomorrow and the day after that.”

He gazed into her eyes, which were so full of joy and warmth, he might burst. “I am so excited for tomorrow and the day after that. I’m excited for all our tomorrows.”

“How attached are you to staying here until midnight?” she asked.

“Not even a little.”

“Then let’s say our goodbyes and ring in the New Year right.”

He scooped her up and carried her toward the double doors that opened to the promenade, pausing so she could grab a bottle of champagne from one of the servers. “We’ll need that for midnight.”

She took the bottle and said, “No goodbyes?”

“They just take precious time. After wasting so many years, I’m ready to start enjoying our tomorrows now.”

T hank you for reading!