Chapter Twenty-Eight

You do realize that if you don’t breathe, you’re going to pass out, don’t you?”

Jewell met McKenzie’s gaze in the mirror and attempted a smile, but there was no power great enough to accomplish that. Her stomach was nervous and her eyes almost wild, and her body felt as if it didn’t even belong to her.

“What if I’m making the biggest mistake of my life?” Jewell asked.

McKenzie knelt down by her and grabbed her chair. “Jewell, I’ve made many mistakes in my lifetime, so trust me when I tell you, this isn’t a mistake.” She completely surprised Jewell by leaning in and giving her a hug.

McKenzie looked so much softer in her light blue chiffon dress, which brushed the top of her knees in the front and flowed down in the back. Her makeup was minimal — she possessed an amazing natural beauty — and her hair was up in a stylish bun with a few strands falling around her face in a lovely frame.

It was odd, but she looked so different, so … innocent was the word that kept popping into Jewell’s mind, and it helped her overcome her bridal jitters. “You’ve been good to me these last few months, McKenzie. I don’t know how I can ever repay you,” Jewell said, feeling tears trying to break through.

“I like you, Jewell. I didn’t expect to find friendship with you, but I genuinely like you,” McKenzie told her.

“I like you, too, McKenzie,” Jewell said. “And maybe someday you’ll tell me your story. You know mine, after all.”

McKenzie didn’t retreat into silence the way Jewell had expected her to do. “I might just do that, Jewell,” she said. “But right now it’s your wedding day, and you have an anxious groom waiting out there.”

“I don’t think he’s anxious, McKenzie. Remember, this is for his business deal,” Jewell said with more sadness than she cared to admit she was feeling. “And so I can get Justin back permanently. That goes without saying.”

“You can say anything you want to make yourself feel better, but I know that look in a woman’s eyes. You love him, Jewell.”

“I … I’m doing this for Justin,” Jewell insisted, though the words almost got trapped in her throat.

“You’ve done a lot for your brother,” McKenzie said, and then something in her eyes alerted Jewell to the depths of pain this woman had borne for some reason. “Just remember not to lose yourself,” she added. “Enough of this, though. Let’s focus on what matters today — your wedding.”

“If you need to talk, I’m always here to listen.”

“I think I know that,” McKenzie told Jewell with a shaky smile. “Now keep still. We need to get this veil on you and then march you down that aisle. I think the groom will start manhandling people if you don’t get out there on time.”

If only that were true, Jewell thought. But no, this was a business deal. If she was developing feelings for Blake, they were unimportant. This wasn’t about her, or about Blake for that matter. It was about her little brother and doing everything she could for him.

And it was absurd to be so selfish, if only in her thoughts. She was getting a second chance at life, and if she dared to ask for too much, then she was setting herself up for heartbreak. She had Justin, she had an incredible sex life with Blake, and she had security. That was more than so many people had, so she would damn well smile and appreciate her blessings instead of focusing on what she lacked.

Her veil in place, Jewell turned to look at her image in the mirror. Her gown was simple, made of white chiffon that flowed to the ground, with delicate beadwork on the bodice, and with sleeves that billowed until they reached her wrists. The dress was molded to her torso, and it floated around her legs, making her feel as if she were walking through a breeze.

Even her jewel-encrusted shoes sparkled as her toes peeked out with each step she took. She looked like a happy bride, and she was surprised by how quickly the wedding had come together. She’d expected nothing more than a quick exchange of vows in front of the justice of the peace down at the county courthouse. So silly of her to think that a simple wedding would mean the same thing to a billionaire as it did to mere mortals like her.

They were about to wed in the backyard of their home, and every time she sat out on the deck, she’d be able to remember this day. And when the marriage ended, as it inevitably would, she’d leave this place behind and, if she was lucky, leave the memories behind too.

“You look stunning,” McKenzie said as she came and stood beside her. “Blake is a very lucky man.”

“Sissy, are you ready?”

They both turned to see Justin standing in the doorway. He was so grown up at only ten, looking more handsome than ever in his little black tux, his hair combed into place, and no smudges on his cheeks.

“Oh, Justin, you look wonderful,” Jewell said as she bent down and held out her arms.

He didn’t hesitate to run to her and wrap himself around her. “I love you so much,” she told him, squeezing just a little too tight and not even thinking about her dress.

“I love you too, Sissy,” he responded before he backed away and coughed as he pulled himself together.

She stood up and took her brother’s hand, and they followed McKenzie out to the back doors of the house, where she heard the music begin.

“I’m so glad you’re walking with me,” Jewell told Justin, “because from here on out everything we do will be together.”

“I really love Blake, Sissy,” he said, his eyes shining up at her.

“I know you do, Bubby. He loves you too.”

And then they stopped talking as the two of them proceeded through the doors and began the short walk down the red-carpeted path to the stage Blake had had set up for the occasion. When Jewell looked up, her gaze met Blake’s and she stopped for a moment, her heart racing at the expression in his eyes.

For just this moment, she let go of all her worries, of all the pain she had been through, and she let go of her doubts. She imagined this was all real, that she was walking down the aisle toward a man who couldn’t live without her. Her lips lifted and then her smile grew when she saw the possessiveness in his eyes. That was all for her. For this moment, it was just the two of them, and everyone else simply faded away.

Bright red and orange splashed across the sky as the sun sank low over the horizon, and with the music playing, no scene could have been set more perfectly. Only a few people were there to witness this marriage, and it was just the way she wanted it.

Standing next to Blake was Tyler, and, surprisingly, Byron was with him. Though Byron didn’t support this marriage, he did support his brother, and that showed Jewell that the man wasn’t as hard as he wanted everyone to think he was. There was hope for him yet.

Finally, she arrived at the altar, and Justin took his role very seriously as he handed her over to Blake and then went to stand beside him, beside the man who would raise him — at least for as long as Blake wanted to stay a part of their lives. Jewell had only McKenzie next to her, and that was just fine. The woman had become her friend, and as it was because of McKenzie that Jewell had met Blake, it seemed quite fitting to have her standing there with them.

If anyone had asked Jewell what was said during the exchange of vows, she wouldn’t have been able to answer. But she gazed into Blake’s eyes so long and so intently that she certainly would have been able to describe the look on his face and the way his hand felt when it was clasped in hers.

Yes, McKenzie was right. She was in love with this man — a man she never should have fallen in love with. And she didn’t care. A person could choose the people they acquainted themselves with, but they couldn’t choose the one their heart decided to let in.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The air was swept from Jewell’s lungs as Blake pulled her into his arms and took her mouth in a kiss that sealed them together as one. She melted against him and felt almost in a daze when he pulled back and she looked up at the sparkle in his eyes.

“Now you are forever mine, Jewell,” he whispered for only her to hear.

“I think I have been yours from the day we met,” she replied, making his lips turn up.

“We’re a family now,” Blake told her, and he held out his free arm to Justin, who stepped up to them and threw his arms around his new uncle or brother or whatever it was.

“Yes, we are,” Jewell said as tears flowed down her face.

As the three of them walked back down the aisle, Jewell’s heart was filled with joy. Her only hope was that this joy would last.