Page 39 of I Could Be Yours (The Toronto Terror #6)

ESSIE

“ D o we have everything we need? What about tissues? Do I look okay? My curls aren’t falling, are they? Is my hair frizzy?” Even glancing around wildly, Rix looks like a princess in her flowy island wedding dress.

“You are radiant, and we have everything we need.” I dust her chin and forehead with setting powder.

She pulls me in for a tight hug. “I love you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being my best friend for all these years.”

“There’s nowhere I would rather be, and no one I would rather price match with.”

She smiles, but she still seems nervous, looking past me to the door.

“What is it, Trixie Rixie?”

“I just want today to be perfect,” she whispers.

“Even if there are hiccups, it will be the best day because it’s the start of your forever,” I assure her.

“I don’t want anything to mess this up.”

“Is there anything that could keep you from marrying Tristan?” I ask gently.

She shakes her head. “Of course not. ”

“Can you imagine a world in which Tristan stops fighting for you, or you stop fighting for him?”

Her expression softens. “No, never.”

“You have your person, Rix. He’s so perfectly right for you, and you are perfectly right for him, and no matter what, you will always stand up for each other.”

She nods and licks her lips. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

“Okay, so why do you still look worried?”

“I’m scared Tristan’s mom will show up and ruin the wedding.

” She drops her voice. “There was a call from an unknown number twice this week. Tristan didn’t answer, and no message was left, but it doesn’t mean she can’t figure out where we are.

We’ve all been sharing pictures on our social media. It wouldn’t be that hard to find us.”

I’m keeping enough stuff from my best friend. I don’t want to keep this from her too, especially not when I can put her mind at ease by telling her the truth. “She was here.”

“What? When?” Her voice grows shrill. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It was last night, after the rehearsal dinner. Only me, Nate, and Connor saw her. She’s been handled, and she won’t be coming back.”

“Handled how?” The color drains from her face. “Please don’t tell me Sam and Isaac got involved.”

“No. Of course not.” I squeeze her shoulders. “And I know you all think Sam is some kind of finisher, but I feel like he probably loves diamond paintings.”

“I can see that.” Rix barks out a laugh, but her expression sobers. “I wish I could say I can’t believe she showed up, but all the phone calls recently…” She shakes her head. “How did Nate handle things? Is he okay?”

I consoled him with sex that felt a lot like making love is not a truth I’ll share right now. “He was upset, but he’s okay. He was glad it was him and not Tristan or Brody who had to deal with her. Neither of them knows anything about it.”

She nods. “And you’re sure she’s gone?”

“Absolutely.” I take her by the shoulders.

“Deep breath, Trixie Rixie. I promise she’s not coming back.

And I can explain the full story later, and you can have feelings about it then, but she won’t ruin today, or any other day in the future, and not because Sam fed her to the sharks.

” Even if that’s what she deserves . “Connor Grace helped us out, and I’m pretty sure he has security on lock here, so you’re safe to walk down the aisle with no one to interfere. ”

“Thank you.” She hugs me.

“Anything for you, bestie. You know that.”

“Everything okay in here?” Muffy pokes her head in the door.

“Mummy.” Rix opens her arms, and her mom steps into them.

Muffy’s eyes meet mine, questions there. I mouth everything’s good to reassure her.

She releases Rix and takes her hands. “My baby girl, you look so perfect.”

“Thank you for being my mom and for teaching me how to love right,” Rix says softly.

I love their bond. Life was never easy for the Madden family, but they always stood beside each other.

“Oh my heart, you are the one who taught me how to love right. Every time you do something wonderful for the people you care about, you show me that love is the most important thing. Tristan loves you with his whole heart, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you—to be happy and healthy and find the person who will weather all the ups and downs with you. ”

“Tristan is definitely that guy,” Rix agrees.

They hug, and her mom whispers something that has me pulling out tissues so neither of them ruins their makeup, and then we’re all laughing at how emotional we are and squeezing each other.

We untangle our limbs as Rix’s dad knocks on the door. And then everyone is struggling to keep their emotions in check again over how beautiful Rix is.

Her dad takes her arm. “Should we walk you down the aisle?”

She smiles up at him. “I would love that, Daddy.”

My heart is so full as we make our way to the beach, where the guests wait.

Tristan walks Muffy down the aisle to her seat. Flip and Brody hold white wicker baskets of rose petals that they toss—mostly at each other—as they walk down the aisle and take their seats with their families.

Nate and I fall into step beside each other at the end of the aisle. His expression is soft and warm as it moves over me. He’s so handsome in his black suit and teal tie. My stomach twists and flips as he threads his arm through mine and bends to whisper, “Thank you for being you.”

I smile up at him, at a loss for words, but then we’re walking down the aisle, heading for Tristan waiting at the altar. He looks equal parts nervous and excited.

We take our places opposite each other, and I look around at all the people who are here to witness this special day.

My parents are a couple of rows back, my dad’s arm around Mom, their other hands clasped.

The “Wedding March” begins, and I steady my breathing as Rix appears at the end of the aisle with her dad.

“Oh my God.” Tristan tugs on his tie. “She’s fucking beautiful.”

I pull an extra packet of tissues from my pocket, make eye contact with Nate, and toss them to him underhand.

He snatches them and passes one to Tristan who dabs at the corner of his eyes.

He looks like he’s half a second away from running down the aisle to get her.

He takes a single step forward, and Nate puts a hand on his shoulder, leaning in to whisper something. Whatever he says settles his brother.

Tristan’s love is written so plainly on his face, eyes shiny with adoration as Rix hugs her dad and turns toward him. Tristan holds out his hand, completely awestruck as she moves to stand beside him.

I step in to take Rix’s bouquet. She squeezes my hand, and I tuck a tissue into it.

“I love you,” she whispers.

“I love you, too.” I step back, and Rix refocuses on Tristan.

He kisses the back of her hand, then presses it to his cheek.

“How you doin’?” she murmurs.

“So much better now that you’re here with me.” He kisses her palm. “You are just—” He shakes his head. “—stunning. I can’t believe you’re mine.”

“And you’re mine.” She smiles. “Let’s make it permanent.”

I touch a tissue to the corner of my eyes as the officiant starts the ceremony. And even though I shouldn’t, I can’t help but picture Nate and me in their place.

I’m terrified that I’m following the same pattern I always do, that I’ve already done what I said I wouldn’t, with the man I said I wouldn’t get attached to.

He already hurt me once. It’s my fault entirely if I let him do it again.