Page 88 of If You Claim Me

“I think Connor would love to be your honorary uncle.” I’m on the verge of tears.

Lexi must realize it, because she asks Callie to get something from her purse, and then I’m enveloped in more hugs and my hand is wrapped around a glass of something bubbly.

“Take a deep breath,” Hemi says.

I suck in some much-needed air.

“Your mascara is waterproof, so you’re all good,” Essie assures me. That she managed to do all our makeupandbe part of the wedding party makes her a superhero.

“Take a sip.” Hammer taps the edge of my glass with a manicured fingernail.

I do as I’m told. It’s a mimosa, and mostly orange juice by the taste of it, with a hint of champagne.

“You look stunning, Dred.” Rix squeezes my free hand.

“You all look beautiful,” I tell her. “Where’s Flip?”

She smiles. “Waiting outside the door for you.”

I look around the room, grateful for their friendship. “We should do this, then, shouldn’t we?”

“Just let me touch you up.” Essie steps in to dust my face with translucent setting powder.

I give myself a quick mental pep talk. I’m securing my future, saving Meems and Connor from heartache, keeping my family close, and for a year, this beautifully broken, misunderstood man will be mine. And I’ll be his—maybe even kind of for real. I’ve at least glimpsed that possibility. No matter what happens, I don’t think I’ll make it out unscathed. But I’ll take the risk.

We make sure I have everything I need, and then Tally throws the door open. The girls file out, moving aside to reveal Flip. He’s dressed in a black tux, hair styled. He looks like he stepped out of the pages of a magazine. His expression warms when he sees me. “You are a vision.”

“You clean up pretty good yourself.”

Lexi touches my elbow. “We’ll just give you a minute.”

“Thanks.”

My friends move down the hall to a beverage and snack station—they seem to be everywhere.

“Seriously, Dred, you are beautiful beyond words.” Flip takes my hands in his. “You want this, right?”

I nod. “I want this.” More than I realized maybe. I get the fairy-tale wedding I never dared to dream of, and my family stays close.

His eyes search my face. “I believe you.”

“I know this hasn’t been easy, but I appreciate you so much, Flip.” There’s so much more I want to say, but the words get caught in my throat.

“I’m always going to have your back.” He kisses me on the cheek. “You’re my family. Nothing will ever change that, okay?”

“Okay.” Tears well, all my emotions bubbling to the surface. “I really needed to hear that.”

He wraps his arms around me. “I will always be your brother, Dred, and I will always stand up for you, no matter what.”

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you, too,” he murmurs then pulls back. “You ready to walk down the aisle?”

“I am.”

Flip places my hand in the crook of his elbow, and we join our friends, who surround me as we walk to the hotel’s wedding chapel.

My palms start to sweat as we reach the doors. My bridal party is huge. Lexi is my matron of honor, Shilpa, Hammer, Hemi, Rix, Essie, Tally, Portia, and Isabelle are my bridesmaids, and Fee and Callie are my junior bridesmaids. Connor’s groomsmen are Kodiak, Quinn, Kellan, Dallas, Roman, and Tristan. Connor refused to pull his brothers-in-law into the mix.