Page 134 of Mr. Edwards

“Yes.”

“Right now?” And the way he says it has my entire body deflating.

“You don’t want to get married?”

His arms slide around my waist. “Are you kidding me, of course I do. I just wish my mom was here is all.”

“She’s inside waiting.”

“She is?” he asks as his face lights up.

“Yes, so you better hurry and get changed.”

He lifts me off my feet and swings me around. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”

“Yes, you did, twice. But feel free to tell me again when I meet you at the altar.”

While the boys head off to get changed, Emma and I enter the adjacent room where we left all our things. We spent our morning getting our hair, makeup, and nails done. All I need to do now is slip into my wedding dress.

Reece, Michelle, Grayson’s mom, his sister Kaitlin, Granny, Amber, Emma’s dad, and Ashton’s parents, along with Charlotte, or Charlie as we call her, all flew in earlier. Everyone is seated in the chapel awaiting our nuptials.

My stomach’s been in knots all morning, but now that the cat’s out of the bag, and Grayson is on board, I’m eager to get the ceremony started. I’ve booked a restaurant down the street for afterwards.

I’m not wearing a traditional wedding dress today. I’ve chosen a white, vintage, fit and flare dress. It has a sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves. It hugs my torso like a second skin, flaring from my waist to my knees. There are a few layers of soft tulle underneath to give the skirt a slight flare. My hair is pinned up on top of my head in my signature, rockabilly style.

Once Emma and I are both dressed, I take a seat so she can pin the two silk roses into the right side of my hair. I’ve chosen to wear these instead of a veil. The richred color matches perfectly with my lips and stiletto heels.

I stand and straighten my dress once she’s done. “You look beautiful,” she says, her eyes welling with tears.

“Oh Christ, don’t make me cry, it’ll ruin my makeup.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, swiping her fingers under her eyes. “I was just thinking about the day I got married. Remember when we were in the bedroom at Valentina’s house getting ready? You broke my damn heart that day. You looked so sad. You were scared to see Grayson, and here we are three months later and you’re about to marry him.”

I smile at that. “It took two broken hearts, a car accident, and a death to bring us back together, but I’m deliriously happy, Em. I love him so much.”

“You deserve all the happiness in the world, Car.”

“Thank you,” I say as a lump rises to my throat.

“When I was growing up, I wished for a friend just like you,” she confesses. “I hope you know how much our friendship means to me.”

“I do.” I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her tight. “I wished for you too,” I whisper.

“I love you, Carlee.”

“I love you too, Em.”

A few years ago, I struggled with expressing my emotions, it was so foreign to me, but look at me now. I’m like Oprah Winfrey when she handed out those cars. You get some love, you get some love, and you get some love too.

Emma and I part when there’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call out.

I smile when I see it’s Reece. I asked him to walk me down the aisle today. He’s the closest thing I have to a parent. There was a part of me that worried he wouldn’twant to do it, but he didn’t hesitate with his answer.“It would be my honor.”

“I’ll give you two a moment,” Emma says. “I’ll go check on the boys.”

Reece clears his throat as he approaches. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”