Page 35 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER THIRTY

VANESSA

Even though this was a fake wedding, nerves still wreaked havoc in my stomach. I should be calm since this wasn’t a real ceremony. No one would be in attendance except me, Attikus, and the justice of the peace.

The gorgeous Kealoha sisters, who owned Maui’s Beauty Salon, came early this morning with the dress and everything I’d bought at the Happily Ever After Boutique.

In my bedroom, Alanna, the older sister wearing a long yellow dress, worked on my hair. She added big waves, piled up my hair, and secured the veil.

She stepped back, studying her work. “Beautiful.”

When the younger sister, Nalani, finished my makeup, I didn’t recognize myself. I’d never had a professional do my hair or makeup for any special events. I usually did my own for art exhibits. I felt like a celebrity.

After the sisters helped me get into my wedding gown and put on my jewelry, I dug out cash from my purse to tip them.

Smiling, Alanna shook her head. “Mr. Mount has already paid us with an exceptional tip.”

“You’re such a stunning bride. Thank you for letting us be part of your special day.” Nalani beamed.

“Thank you for making me feel and look like a princess.”

“It’s easy when the bride is beautiful and not a Bridezilla.” Nalani made a face. “We’ve dealt with all kinds of brides. You’re the calmest.”

If only they could see the wild party inside my stomach. If only they knew this wasn’t an actual ceremony.

“Let’s check on the groom before we head out.” Alanna headed for the bedroom where Attikus was getting dressed. I hadn’t seen him since last night.

We didn’t follow the tradition of not seeing each other prior to the event. Times had changed, and this fake ceremony didn’t warrant any cherished tradition.

Was he nervous?

I gasped, realizing we didn’t prepare or review any vows.

As the Kealoha sisters said goodbye, they reminded me that their photographer friend, Hoku, would arrive soon.

I waited to hear the door click closed and walked out of the bedroom in my new heels, wondering where my groom was.

I walked as quietly as I could to the bedroom at the other end of the house.

This marvelous home had four bedrooms with oceanfront views.

Being a gentleman, Attikus had given me the primary bedroom to sleep in last night.

We’d spent some time in the living room with me massaging his ankle.

I’d learned the technique from an online video when I twisted my ankle during college.

Attikus seemed to enjoy the massage. Something strange had occurred yesterday. Maybe it had started when he’d spotted me in his backyard. Was it only yesterday? Gosh, it seemed like a while ago. It didn’t matter when, where, what, or how. What mattered was that something had shifted between us.

Last night, we’d talked about random things as though we’d been dating for years. Perhaps being away from home allowed me—us—to detach physically and mentally. That was why people went on vacation.

I didn’t mind massaging the ointment into his ankle since he’d been injured because of me.

The cut was minor, but it could’ve been a lot worse.

What if that crazy man had broken his ankle again?

Attikus had mentioned that his ankle and knee were healing from a wound he’d acquired in his youth.

I couldn’t live with the guilt if he had broken them again.

The experience had been traumatic, but I’d enjoyed Attikus taking advantage of his injury by pulling me onto his lap and had played along with my mischievous fiancé.

Two could play that game.

Like a fool, I stood in front of his bedroom door, giggling to myself.

“You won’t find me in the door, Lily Pad.”

I jumped at the deep voice behind me. Heat blossomed on my face as I turned to see Attikusleaning against the wall in the lounge area, staring at me.

How long had he been standing there? He looked sexy and sophisticated in his black tux.

His eyes raked over me, moving slowly over my body.

His magnetism was something I’d never experienced.

I couldn’t break his gaze or step away—not that I wanted to.

Attikuspushed himself offthe wall and walked over to me. My heart skipped at how gorgeous he was. Tall, handsome, powerful, mysterious, and cunning. The list went on and on.

He took my hand in his and kissed it. “You’re absolutely breathtaking.”

I swallowed, finding my breath again. “You’re dashing, Whistler.”

“Ready to tie the knot with me?” His eyes beamed.

“Where’s your cane?”

“I don’t need it for the ceremony.”

“Did you ask the justice of the peace to prepare a generic vow?”

“Everything is all set. Just relax.”

Simplicity was the word of the day. We stood in the backyard with the beach behind us. Pots of exotic flowers surrounded the lounge area. Apparently, he’d instructed people to decorate the backyard early this morning.

Hoku arrived and took photos of the wedding décor, setting, and of us checking out the area. Attikus offered me a gorgeous bouquet of lilies and orchids. I had forgotten about the bouquet. How could I have overlooked such an important thing?

“Thank you for remembering,” I said, gazing at the flowers. I placed the bouquet down, grabbed the boutonniere,and secured it to his lapel.

“Like I said, just enjoy the day.”

The justice of the peace stepped outside and offered us a friendly smile.

“It’s you,” I said. “You work for the MountMuseum.”

“I do.” The justice of the peace smiled. “I’m Agnes Sullivan, and I’ll be conducting your ceremony. It’s a funside job. So when Attikus asked me for a last-minute favor, I couldn’t resist it.”

“Thank you for accommodating us,” I said.

“He’s a good man, and I’d do anything for him.” Agnes offered Attikus a hug. “You look dashing.”

“Thanks for being here.” He smiled.

Hoku positioned himself for photos of us exchanging vows. Velvety butterflies fluttered inside me. Was this what all brides experienced? The nerves, the excitement . . . and the fear that this blissful moment wouldn’t last.

“All right, let’s get started.” Agnes nodded at me. “Repeat after me.”

“I, Vanessa Lam, can create the most extraordinary painting,” I said. “But when you entered my life, you became the paintbrush I couldn’t live without.”

I looked at him, speechless at the power and beauty of the short vow. Agnes hadn’t written this. From the look in his eyes, I knew he had. Why? Where had he found the time to write this vow? Had he written it for someone else and used it for this fake wedding?

He looked at me as though he understood the questions floating in my head. He smiled and squeezed my hand.

“I, Attikus Mount, cannot resist a soul-searching masterpiece. So when I saw you, I recognized my soul. That was the day my life started. I cannot wait to see the masterpiece we’ll create together.”

My heart burst with love and emotions I couldn’t comprehend. Why was I so emotional when this wasn’t real? But it seemed too real to me. When he looked at me and spoke those loving words, I couldn’t help but accept them.

Agnes said, “Do you, Attikus, agree to color Vanessa’s life with the rainbow from now until the end of days?

“I do,” he said.

Agnes turned to me and asked the same.

“I do,” I replied.

I didn’t know what Attikus was feeling, but my heart was bursting with emotion. Why had he written such a beautiful vow for something that wasn’t real? This marriage wasn’t supposed to be this serious. We would separate in six months. Did he always put this much effort into everything he did?

“Do you, Vanessa, agree to be Attikus’s forever masterpiece?” Agnes asked.

“I do.” I laughed.

Attikus reached into his jacket and pulled out a set of rings. I’d forgotten about the rings too! Ugh. A spark gleamed in his eyes, understanding my reaction. Goodness, I wasn’t good at this wedding stuff. The girls had asked me about the ring before, and I still hadn’t remembered to inquire.

He slipped the ring on my finger, and I did the same to him. I lifted the ring for a closer examination. I’d never seen anything like it. It was twisted, petrified wood molded into a ring.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Attikus pulled me to him, and we kissed. His lips were soft on mine at first, nibbling, tasting. Then he deepened the kiss, and I lost my balance. His arms tightened around me as the kiss lingered. When he drew back, desire darkened his eyes.

“Okay, lovebirds. Enjoy your day. I’ll be enjoying my time here on the beach for the next week. See you back in Providence.”

It sounded like Hoku snapped a gazillion pictures of us in the backyard before we kicked off our shoes and strode out to the beach.

Two hours later, Hoku left, and we relaxed in the lounge chairs.

Though I didn’t have to mingle like actual brides and grooms who had real wedding banquets, I was exhausted from everything—hair, makeup, getting dressed, the vows, and the surge of emotions.

The nerves had added a layer of unnecessary stress.

He looked at me. “Want to go out or stay in for dinner?”

I didn’t know why, but a thought popped into my head—an outrageous idea.

“Stay in.”

“You’re missing a diamond ring,” he said. “I haven’t had time to get you one yet.”

He’d already spent so much on me and this wedding.

Shaking my head, I smiled. “No need for that, Attikus. This petrified wood is perfect. I don’t need anything else. Where did you get the set?”

“I know an artist who specializes in petrified wood. I asked him to create them for me from a sketch.”

I looked at him. “You sketched them? You can draw?”

He interlaced his fingers with mine. “Lily Pad, there are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”

“I guess so. Have you always drawn? What kinds of things do you draw?” This man fascinated me more and more. I knew he loved art because of the museum, but I didn’t know he could also create it.

He considered me for a moment. “It’s not a cheerful story, so I don’t want to ruin our wedding. How about I share it with you later?”

I wanted to ask when later would be, but I didn’t want to pressure him. He hadn’t pressured me on topics I didn’t want to discuss.

As though he knew what I was thinking, he said, “I’ll tell you my story if you tell me what the madman triggered in you, okay?”

An uncomfortable feeling overcame me. I knew I had to tell him sooner or later. When I looked into his eyes, I didn’t see judgment, just honesty.

“Okay.”

“Want to go snorkeling and exploring the island? Then we can order dinner to eat out here and watch the sunset.”

“Sounds wonderful.”