Chapter Nineteen

Tessa

The only thing missing from my wedding day is Chelsea. I’ve invited friends from school, but it would have been special to have her here too. It didn’t work out. Not for lack of trying. I texted and called, but she refused to come. She’s somewhere a few hours away, working at a daycare and living with a girlfriend. She’s happy at least.

The days leading up to the wedding, I’m so busy, I don’t have much time to think about anything. Braun Jewelers delivered another ring. Claire was very gracious and didn’t ask me anything about the replacement.

Saturday is a flurry of non-stop activity and errands. Nails. Hair. Makeup. Claire runs the entire production like a woman on a mission. She manages everything while getting herself ready for the evening. Several people ask her if she’s a professional wedding planner.

She winks at me. “Not yet.”

When she helps me get into the dress, I stare at my reflection. The dress is off the shoulder with a lace bodice that emphasizes a little more of my curves than I’m really comfortable with, but Claire insisted. The other day, she announced to the entire dress shop how I ought to be proud of the girls. The dress had to be let out on top and hemmed on the bottom. Even with heels, it was too long.

I run my fingertips along the delicate lace trim. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

She looks over my shoulder. “Don’t you dare cry, Tessa. You’ll ruin your makeup. There’s no time for that.”

“I won’t cry.”

I have to tell myself that I won’t cry once more when one of the assistants from the dress shop helps me with my veil. The gauzy lace is adorned with crystals and tiny pearls.

But when everything is ready, and I stand in the hallway leading to the courtyard where we’ll say our vows, I’m not so sure if I’ll keep from crying. My eyes sting. I sway unsteadily. Damon stands beside me, ready to walk me down the aisle.

“You okay, Tessa?” he asks.

“I’m fine. It’s all just a little bit overwhelming.”

Roman’s brother is dressed in a tux and it’s the first time I’ve seen him clean-shaven. A tattoo snakes along his collar, but I can’t tell what the image is. He gives me a look of extreme sympathy.

“I get it. I’m never getting married.” He leans down and lowers his voice. “There’s still time to make a run for it. I could call you a cab.”

“Thank you, Damon. I appreciate that. But I think I’ll stick around.”

He nods. “Good. Thank you. Roman would find you anyhow and then he’d come back and probably kick my ass. Make my life more miserable than he does now.”

Violins begin to play. Damon grumbles but then as if he remembers that I’m there, turns and gives me a kind look. “Very romantic music.”

“Why aren’t you getting married?”

He takes my hand and tucks it in the crook of his arm. “Because I don’t like people.”

“Right, well, that could be a problem.”

“I like you, Tessa. I think you’re not annoying, but you’re the exception.”

“Thank you, Damon. That means so much to me.”

He pats my hand.

“Did someone break your heart?”

He looks momentarily bewildered and then smirks. “Heart?”

There must be a story to this. Damon is a sweet, funny, handsome guy. Surely he has women lining up. How can he be so gruff and standoffish? I assume he had his heart broken. Then again, Roman didn’t, and he was every bit as aloof. Maybe it’s a genetic trait with the men of this family because Claire is as sweet as can be.

And just then she bursts through the door, a flurry of wild motions, beckoning us to begin walking onto the terrace.

“It’s time!” She whisper-yells. “Come on!”

The sweet notes of the violins waft through the door. I can see people inside the courtyard. A few crane their necks, looking past Claire and fix their gaze on me. It’s here. Now. Roman and I are getting married.

“Oh my gosh,” I breathe.

“I gave you a chance, Tessa, and now it’s too late to back out.” He pats my hand again. “Afraid you’re stuck with us.”

“It’s exactly where I want to be.”

He grins at me. “All right then. Let’s get the party started.”

He leads me onto the terrace, and for the first time in days, I see Roman. Instantly, my heart melts inside, and I’m swept away by a wave of emotion. Damon senses it too and tightens his hand around mine. We stop at the end of the aisle, Damon lifts the veil over my head, gives me a sweet smile and kisses my cheek.

Roman takes me the last few steps where we stop in front of the pastor. Roman holds me in his gaze. I feel a little overcome with the intensity of the moment. It’s clear that Roman’s not fazed at all. He’s as steady as a rock, like he’s been waiting for this moment all along.

We say our vows. We exchange rings. And when the pastor pronounces us man and wife, Roman cups my face and kisses me with a tender, lingering kiss. He doesn’t let me go.

Instead he rests his forehead against mine. “I’ve loved you from the very beginning, Tessa. Right from the start.”

My mind drifts back to the first time our eyes met and the way the air between us sparked with electricity. I’d never felt anything like that before. And now I’m certain. I’ve been waiting for Roman all along.