Page 24

24

Jess

Something old: Check.

Something new: Check.

Something blue: Check.

Something borrowed: … Something borrowed…

Well, shit . I was getting married practically now, and I didn’t have something borrowed.

Did this mean my wedding was doomed? My entire marriage?

Pretty sure I saw a horror movie start out like this. Okay, maybe not. But it seems totally plausible, right? A doomed bride running around in a ripped and bloody gown, being chased by someone with an ax and yelling about tradition.

Oh God, I’m right.

Two days ago, I didn’t even care about the old tradition. Well, maybe that wasn’t true. I did care. I’d always cared. But it was just like I told Bodhi. I felt like some traditions didn’t apply to me. So it was easier to tell myself I didn’t have time or care to worry about them. Marrying my dream guy was enough. But then Bodhi fixed my dress with blue buttons and said it was okay to want them.

And now here I was, standing in this room, about to put on my gown while worrying I was jinxed.

A light knock on the door made me pause, expecting it to open and the girls to pile in.

“I told you we can’t see each other before the ceremony, Ben,” I called out.

He’d already tried to come in here three times this morning! He was terrible.

“It’s Gram, honey.”

“Oh!” I said, rushing to pull open the door to see Teresa standing there smiling. “Sorry, Ben’s been trying to con his way in here all day.”

Gram laughed. “Onery. He’s going to keep you on your toes for the rest of your life.”

“I hope so.” I stepped back so she could come in. “You look beautiful,” I said, taking in her velvet burgundy jumpsuit.

The legs were wide and flowy, and the fitted top was cut straight across with a slight V in the center. Overtop, she wore a cream-colored silk blazer, and to complete the outfit, she wore a pair of gold glitter heels, a gold clutch, and a dainty necklace with a diamond solitaire in the center.

“Thank you,” she replied as I shut the door behind us. “I thought maybe you’d be dressed by now.”

“I was about to.” I gestured to my gown hanging on the door.

“Oh, it’s a beautiful gown. It will do you justice.”

I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I began blinking furiously and fanning my face. I’d just spent an hour on my makeup—Well, Madison spent an hour on it. I couldn’t mess it up now.

“Oh, honey. What is it? Are you feeling nervous?”

I shook my head adamantly even as another sob bubbled up inside me.

Gram made a sound and took my hands, leading me over to the bed. I sat on the end, and she sat beside me, tucking my hands into her lap. “Tell me.”

“I don’t have something borrowed,” I wailed. “It’s so silly, but what if we’re jinxed now?”

“Well, I can understand your concern.”

That made me pause. Sniffling, I glanced at her. “Really?”

“Really,” she said. “The last time I got married, I didn’t have something blue. And look at me now. Divorced.”

A laugh burst out of me, but then it turned into a sob.

“All right now,” Gram said, patting my hand. “Don’t cry. Getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me. That man was insufferable.”

I laughed. “But I like Ben.”

“As you should.” Gram agreed. “Which is why you’re going to borrow this,” she said, reaching up to the necklace around her neck.

“Oh, I couldn’t!”

“Of course you can. This is a half-carat solitaire, so it won’t overtake your gown but will add just the right amount of sparkle.”

“But you’re wearing it,” I protested.

“I have plenty of options in my room. Just ask Ben. He complained about the amount I packed the whole time we were at the airport,” Gram said. “Besides, I would be so honored to have you wear this on your special day. I was never blessed with a daughter, but I don’t miss it as much as I might have because I’ve had you all these years.”

Any hope I had of not smearing my makeup was futile.

“I’ve always been very grateful that Matt has you and Ben. He needs love and support, and you three have been that for each other. I’ve been around a long time, and it’s rare what you’ve found. So many only look out for themselves. It’s hard to find genuine people in this world. Look how many husbands I’ve been through.”

“They’re all idiots who didn’t deserve you,” I said, dabbing the corners of my eyes.

“Well, I agree,” she mused, leaning in to put the necklace around my neck. “But I don’t need them because I found a family with all of you. And since Matt up and got himself married without any sort of notice at all, this is my chance to be part of a wedding. I would be so honored if you wore this on your special day. Think of it as a blessing. Me wishing you and Ben a lifetime of happiness.” She sat back, adjusting the dainty chain and diamond so it rested against my throat. “It’s perfect.”

I clasped her hand. “Thank you, Gram,” I said. “Thank you for letting me borrow this, but most of all, thank you for being here for us. For me.”

She hugged me, and I cried over her shoulder, trying my best not to make a mess of myself.

“Come on then,” Gram said, pulling back. “How about I help you get into your gown?”

I nodded and stood.

She was doing up the buttons Bodhi had sewed on when the door opened and the girls came in.

“Oooh, hold that,” Rory said, immediately slipping into photographer mode. She snapped some photos while Landry and Madison came over.

“You girls look so beautiful,” I said, emotion bubbling up inside me again.

Rory lowered the camera, and the three of them stood side by side, showing off their gowns. As my bridesmaids, they wore matching long-sleeved dark-green velvet gowns. I went with the evergreen shade because I thought it would look nice with the snowy landscape here and because the girls were able to get them all in their sizes on such short notice.

All three girls had their hair down, and each wore the bracelets I’d gifted them.

“Looks really great with that ring on your finger,” I told Landry.

Landry beamed, ducking her blond head to look at the giant diamond on her finger. “I still can’t believe he proposed.”

“The way he looks at you?” Rory said. “I’m not surprised.”

She’d told us all about the proposal while Madison was curling my hair and doing my makeup, and it was so swoony. A snowy-mountain gondola ride? How perfect.

“I think our next wedding will be in Malibu,” Madison mused.

Landry smiled. “Probably. But we haven’t talked about it yet.”

“You have plenty of time.” Gram assured her.

“Oh,” I said, fingering the small diamond. “Look what Gram let me borrow. Isn’t it beautiful?” I said, showing them the necklace.

“It’s totally a valid reason for your makeup needing touched up.” Madison agreed.

I laughed and then moved in, the tulle on my dress swishing as I tried to hug all three of my friends at once. “I feel so lucky today. Thank you for being here. You will never know how much this means to me. I hope we stay in each other’s lives forever.”

“Of course we will,” Madison promised.

“Family.” Rory agreed.

I pulled away and hugged Gram. “Thank you, Gram. Thank you for being the mother I never had.”

“Well, now I need to touch up my makeup as well,” Gram said against my ear. “Congratulations, honey. I will always be here for you.” She pulled back and plucked a tissue from a nearby box. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to fix my face. I will see you all downstairs. At the wedding.”

My stomach flipped.

Gram left, and Madison ushered me into the small seat at the vanity in the bathroom. We fussed and touched up my makeup, and then Landry used the small wand of glitter mascara to paint some sparkles into my hair. I’d chosen to wear it down today and curled in big, loose waves. The veil I’d chosen was white tulle with lace trim and would attach to my head with a headband with snowflakes on it.

“Ugh, this is gorgeous with your dark hair.” Landry admired me.

I turned my head, noting how the glitter caught in the light as my curls moved. She only painted it in a few strands, and it was only visible when the light caught my dark strands.

“It’s perfect.” Rory agreed.

“Here.” Madison passed the veil over.

I took it but paused for a few moments, the butterflies in my stomach making me feel trembly. With a big breath, I lifted it as the shutter of Rory’s camera went off.

With the headband on my head, Landry and Madison moved in to adjust the veil so it fell down my back and around the sides of my head. A few long curls fell over my shoulders, framing the dress, and the diamond Gram lent me sparkled just like the glitter and snowflakes in my hair.

“This is more than I ever imagined,” I whispered, staring in the mirror at my reflection.

“Kruger is going to cause a scene when he sees you,” Rory said, lowering the camera. “You make a stunning bride, Jess.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

Out in the bedroom, there was a knock on the door. We all looked at each other, expecting Ben to burst in.

“Jess?” a tentative voice called out.

“Matty,” I said, feeling emotional all over again as I rushed into the bedroom.

He froze the minute he saw me, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Whoa,” he whispered. His arms went to his sides, and he stared for another moment.

“She looks beautiful, right?” Landry asked.

Matty nodded. “So beautiful.”

“Did Kruger send you to spy?” Madison asked.

He shook his head and held up a small box with a bow. “I, ah, I wanted to see you.”

“She’s going to cry again,” Landry determined.

Rory pushed a tissue into my hand.

“Makeup is on the counter,” Madison told me.

“We’ll meet you downstairs,” Landry said.

I nodded.

The girls moved toward the door as Matty came closer.

“You really do look beautiful,” he said.

I smiled.

“Wait,” Rory called from the door. “I want a photo.”

Matty moved to my side, his hand automatically going around my waist, and I laid my head on his shoulder.

“Hold up the box,” Rory instructed. Matty held it between us, bow out. “Perfect,” Rory praised and snapped some photos. As she did, I leaned up and kissed his cheek.

When Rory was gone, I looked down at the box. “Did you get me a present?”

“What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t?”

“You’d still be the best brother I’ll ever have,” I said sincerely. I meant it.

He didn’t seem to know what to say to that, and it made me smile. “Here,” he said, holding out the gift.

“Shouldn’t I wait to open it with Ben?”

“That isn’t for Ben. It’s for my sister.”

My eyes filled with tears, and I fought them while tugging slowly at the silk ribbon tied around the white box. When it was free, I lifted the lid and reached into the tissue paper.

I sucked in a deep breath, and it caught in my throat. A tear dripped right off my lashes, landing on the tissue paper. “Matty.”

“I wasn’t sure what to get,” he said, fidgeting in place. “So I thought I could get you something you could wear, you know, for the wedding but then after too…”

I reached into the box, hooking two fingers beneath the bracelet.

“But you don’t have to wear it today. I mean, you already look fucking beautiful, an?—”

His words cut off with an oomph when I launched myself at him. I was tall for a girl, so I didn’t have to stretch very far to wrap my arms around his shoulders. The second his arms closed around me too, I started to cry. It wasn’t pretty. I was pretty sure this qualified as ugly sobs. The kind of sobs that came out of your diaphragm.

Matty froze even as he hugged me while I cried all over him. After a moment, he said, “Is it ugly then?”

I laughed. It was watery and loud. His poor ears. I pulled back and used the tissue Rory gave me to dab my face. “Ugly?” I scoffed. “It’s my favorite thing just behind the ring Ben gave me,” I said. “It’s even better than my dress.”

He seemed doubtful and also at a loss for words.

I thrust the bracelet at him. “Tell me about it.”

“Um, okay,” he said, taking it. The blue velvet ribbon curled around his finger, and just that little detail made me sniffle more.

It was a diamond tennis bracelet, but not just one. Three. Three strands of diamonds all held together by a clasp at each end.

“Well, I like that there are three bracelets that make up the one,” he said, fingering each strand. “One for me, Ben, and you. ‘Cause you know, for a long time, it was just the three of us.”

I nodded, my chest congested, eyes leaking.

“And I like that it ties together,” he explained, fingering the blue velvet ribbon attached to each end. “Ben told me you liked bows ‘cause you’re a gift.” He glanced up at me, sheepish. “And, ah, that’s what you are to me too. A gift.”

I was going to have to redo my whole face. The entire thing.

I flung myself at Matty again, crying all over him, probably smearing foundation on the shoulder of his black tuxedo jacket.

“The ribbon is blue.” He went on, unsure of what else to do. “So if you need something blue for that tradition…”

I pulled back, still holding his shoulders. “You know about that tradition?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

I cried more. He thought I deserved that stupid tradition just like Bodhi.

“Should I get Arsen?” He worried. “Or Ben?”

“No,” I said, gulping in a few breaths. “No,” I repeated, much steadier. “I just… This is the sweetest thing, Matty. I didn’t expect it.”

“Well, don’t tell Arsen there’s no strand on here for him. He’ll get jealous. I already took his name, so who knows what he’ll do next?” He paused. “I’d add another strand, but then there’d be four.” His face scrunched up as though the idea repulsed him.

I laughed and grabbed his hand, the one with the new wedding band on it. “It will be our secret. I won’t even tell Ben.” Then, “I’m so happy for you.”

“You aren’t upset, are you?”

My head shot up. “Why would I be upset?”

“Well, this is your wedding week. And then I went and married Arsen the other night.”

“You’re so sweet,” I said, patting his cheek. “Sharing my wedding week with you just makes it even more perfect.”

“Well, today is all about you. And Ben.”

“Will you put it on me?” I asked, gesturing to the bracelet he still held.

He nodded, tying the blue ribbon around my wrist in a beautiful bow.

“All gifts need pretty bows,” he said.

“Please don’t make me cry again,” I whispered, staring at the bracelet, admiring the way the ends of the bow hung down my wrist. “Also, please tell me these aren’t all diamonds,” I said, looking at the way it sparkled.

He shook his head. “They’re crystal. The good kind. Begins with an S.”

“Swarovski?”

He shrugged.

“Thank you, Matty. I love it. And I love you.”

His cheeks turned pink. “I love you too.”

This time, he hugged me, and I closed my eyes, leaning into him. “I’m lucky to have you as a brother.”

When he pulled back, he kissed my temple. “Better go fix your makeup. Kinda look like a raccoon.”

I gasped and ran for the bathroom.

He laughed.

“Matthew Miller Andrews!” I yelled. “You better not be teasing your sister on her wedding day.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“Wait!” I called, turning back from the bathroom. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Me?”

I nodded. “It’s important.”

He straightened. “Okay.”

A wave of nerves rolled through me, and I bit down on my lower lip. But then I caught sight of the gift he’d given me, and the nerves receded. “I was wondering if you would give me away.”

He blinked. Then realization dawned. “Like now? At the wedding?”

I nodded. “I just planned to walk down the aisle alone. I didn’t think it mattered…” My voice trailed away.

But it does matter.

“I’ll do it,” he answered, faster than I expected.

“You will?”

“Of course I will. But you’re lucky it’s Ben. ‘Cause I wouldn’t give you to anyone else.”

I pressed my hand against my chest.

“Jess?” He came forward, concern drawing his brows down. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “I’m fine. I just… I’m so happy.”

“Look kinda constipated.”

I gasped.

He laughed. “C’mon. My brother is waiting for you. But I warn you. I might change my mind down there and decide you’re too good even for him.”

I smiled. “You wouldn’t.”

“I might.”

“Let me fix my face.”

“I’ll wait.”

I rushed into the bathroom to do damage control. Matty was a little lying liar because it wasn’t so bad that I looked like a raccoon. But I did need some touchups and some powder. Good thing for waterproof mascara and setting spray.

After applying a fresh coat of pink lipstick and some gloss, I stepped back, smoothed my skirt, and looked in the mirror.

Today, I’m a bride.

Tomorrow, I’ll be a wife.

I left the bathroom and reached for Matty’s hand. “I’m ready.”

Forever, I’ll be happy.