Page 61 of Nothing to the Wedding

Roxie intercepted her hand and, holding both, stopped her behind the door, ensuring it stayed between the couple, hiding each from the other’s view.

“Don’t touch it, just… listen,” Roxie said.

Okay, this was it, Knox better have his speech ready.Damn, she should’ve grabbed Kleenex.

“Blossom, you are all that is.The most important person.The way I feel about you… I can only feel this with you.No one else ever came close.I have no doubt we’re it, that we are each other’s match.But it’s not enough…” Peeking at Jane’s rapt profile, it was difficult to read.For the first time in her damn life.Jane usually wore every nuance of emotion on her face.Why choose mystery now?“It’s not enough that I know that.It’s not enough that you know or our friends know it.I want the world to understand what we mean to each other.And that means nothing less than forever.”

His hand appeared around the door, ring box aloft, and from the height of it, he was definitely on one knee.Go, Knox!He was getting this.Oh, who cared if he felt like an idiot?The details mattered so much to Jane that he took them seriously.And that was why he was her best friend’s perfect match.It wasn’t about being the same, it was about embracing their differences.

“Forever,” Jane whispered, ensnared by the ring.

“This is my grandmother’s ring.It’s the ring I rushed out of bed to go get that night you thought I abandoned you.I’m sorry, Blossom.I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.I want you, no, I need you to be my wife, Blossom.I need you to say yes so we can start our forever.”

“Yes?”Jane murmured like she didn’t get it, then her whole body jolted.“Oh my God!Yes!You’re proposing!Yes!Yes!”

“Give him your hand,” Roxie said when the box disappeared.“No, wait, no contact, I’ll do it.”

Snatching the ring from Knox’s pincered fingers, she slid it onto Jane’s hand.

“Why can’t we see each other?”Jane’s confusion was a picture.“Why doesn’t he want to see me?”

“Because the bride doesn’t see the groom before the wedding.”

“Before the wedding, but I…”

“We’re doing it today, Blossom.I can’t wait another day.”

“Wait another…”

“This is yours too,” Roxie said, backing off to present the room as the women rushed through to congratulate her.

Even the stylists and makeup artists were tearing up.

“See you at the altar, Blossom.”

The door closed and he was gone, which only creased Jane’s brow further.

“I don’t get it—”

“They didn’t get the order wrong,” Toria said, extricating Jane from the hugs that happened to her, she was too dazed to be an active participant.“There are two bridal gowns because there are two brides.“You… and Roxie.”

“Me and…” Jane whipped around to check her smile.“We’re both getting married?No, I won’t take your day from you.”

“I want to share this with you.”Roxie went to give her another hug, tighter, more secure than anyone else would.“You’ve done this, all of this.You deserve to embrace this day with me.”She leaned back to make eye contact.“Besides, the masses won’t get the gushing bride experience with me.”

“Oh, but all the people, the crowd and the…”

“I’ll take care of the crowd.You be the gushing bride and I’ll be the spectacle bride.”

Like they were different Barbies.

“This is too… But there are so many things we’ll have to change—”

“Nothing.It’s all been done.”

“Done?”

“Why do you think I hung around in LA so long before today?Why do you think Lilya kept asking for help with Zay-Jay…?Other than the fact that she needed you?”