Page 42 of Vain (Tempest #2)

“You’re not the one wearing heels bro.”

“Awe, Kellen, you’re the sweetest.”

“You hear that Aiden? She thinks I’m the sweetest.”

“Well, it was my dick?—”

I cover his mouth with my hand. “Do not finish that sentence.”

I turn to Kellen. “You, out. And stop being a shit stirrer or I’ll tell all my actress friends that you have an STD.”

His eyes go wide. “Wow, you’re mean.”

He gets out of the car as I move my hand from Aiden’s mouth. “Behave.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winks before jumping out of the car and getting the door for me.

I take his hand and climb out before we go around the back of the house to the large garden. “Oh, look how pretty it is.”

There are rows of white chairs facing an arch covered with a mix of white flowers.

The whole area is underneath the largest pergola I’ve ever seen, and it’s threaded with hundreds of fairy lights.

A makeshift dance floor has been set up at the far end of the garden, with a small stage area and long linen-covered tables housing a variety of covered foods.

Terracotta pots dotted around are filled with large white daisies and roses.

“Matilda!” a little voice yells. I spin around just in time to catch Zoe who plows into me.

I look up at Aiden in shock. He gives me a soft smile. “Surprise.”

I smile widely before squeezing Zoe tight. When she releases me, I squat—easier said than done in this dress—and look at her.

“You look so beautiful,” I tell her as she swishes the pink layered dress she’s wearing.

“Aiden bought it for me.”

“Oh, he did, did he? Someone’s been a busy bee.”

I reach up and tuck a stray strand behind her ear. “God, I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Want to come sit with me?”

“Absolutely.” I take her hand as an older couple approaches us.

“Hey, Mom, Dad,” Aiden says, making me freeze.

“Hey, baby.” Aiden’s mom leans in to hug him, then she looks at me. Before I can react, she wraps her arms around me. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

She pulls back and offers me a wide smile before her husband nudges her out of the way for a hug of his own. “I’m Mark. This is Kelly, otherwise known as Mom and Dad. Welcome to the family.”

I smile, though I’m sure it’s a little shaky. Talk about being blindsided.

“Why do I feel like Aiden never told you we’d be here?” Kelly asks, looking from me to her son.

“Crap, it slipped my mind.”

“Aiden Church, I know I raised you better than that.”

“It’s fine, honestly. He’s right, it’s been a crazy weekend. I’ve just finished shooting a movie, and then we flew out here, went to the fair, did a last-minute interview, and got engaged. We’d have forgotten to breathe if it wasn’t instinctual,” I joke.

“You’re engaged?” Kelly whispers, her eyes dropping to my hand, more accurately, the ring on it.

Mark chuckles. “Oh, shit.” I must look panicked because he rushes to reassure me.

“She’s gonna start getting broody for grandchildren.”

“Engaged?” Kelly whispers again.

“I love him.” Is my simple answer as Aiden’s hand squeezes my shoulder.

“And I love you for him,” she tells me before hugging me again, only this time harder. “I’m so stinking happy I could cry.”

“You are crying, love.” Mark laughs.

“I can’t help it.” She releases me before doing a little jig.

“Is there any chance you can keep this quiet for a few days? Today’s about Callie and Blake.”

“My lips are sealed,” she tells me, but I’m not convinced she’ll be able to contain herself for long.

“You and Aiden are getting married?” Zoe asks, looking up at me.

“We are.”

“Can I be your flower girl?”

“Of course. How am I going to get married without my favorite girl at my side?”

She beams a grin at me before someone starts shouting. “Places everyone, they’re two minutes out.”

Everyone moves quickly after that. I let Zoe drag me to one of the chairs.

Aiden and his parents join us. I spot Tom in the crowd and wave at him as the priest steps up under the arch of flowers.

Soft music starts playing as Blake walks around the corner with a gorgeous woman on his arm.

She’s dressed in a white lacy dress that hits just below the knee.

It flares out from the hip and is molded around her body to every curve.

I don’t know who picked that dress for her but they need a freaking pay rise.

“Blake? What’s going on? I thought we were picking up Aiden and Matilda?—”

Her voice cuts off briefly, as “Marry Me” by Train starts playing.

“Blake?”

“Marry me, Callie, right here, right now, in front of all our friends and family.”

“Wait, so I’m not meeting Matilda Carson? Dammit Bundy.”

The crowd erupts into laughter.

I get to my feet, put my fingers in my mouth and whistle. Blake, Callie, and everyone, turn to look at me. Callie looks like she’s going to pass out.

“Oh my god.”

I grin and wave. “You gonna marry the man or what?” I tease.

She looks up at Blake with a soft smile as she reaches up and cups his cheek. “Let’s do this, Bundy. I can’t believe you got Matilda freaking Carson to come to my wedding. Best husband ever.”