Everyone met the next morning, in the dining room, for breakfast, including the bride and groom together.

“Isn’t it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other on the big day?” Cole asked, his mouth full of pancakes.

Logan looked lovingly at Beth. “Bethy and I make our own luck.”

Elliot took Julia’s hand under the table and squeezed. They made their own luck too. Sometimes, even when it seemed like life had the deck stacked against you, you kept playing.

Julia thought about the scars that lived so secretly underneath her tattoos. She was so incredibly grateful that she was still here.

“I’m sorry I missed dinner last night,” she told Logan and Beth uncomfortably. “I really wanted to be there.”

Beth waved away her apology. “No big deal. It was nothing exciting.”

“I’ve never been to a wedding rehearsal before. I wanted to see what it was like,” she told them honestly.

“Really?” Beth asked. “Never?”

Julia shook her head and pushed her fruit around her plate. Everyone was staring at her and it was making her slightly nauseous.

“So, did you hear we’re millionaires,” Cole blurted, drawing everyone’s attention. He caught her eye and winked.

They spent the rest of breakfast discussing the Williams’s newfound fortune, and the ins and outs of the software program. Julia found out then that the women, herself included, were scheduled to spend the entire morning and early afternoon at the spa before the main event that evening. The men were playing golf and planned to get ready in Julia’s suite, since it was the biggest.

She got herself massaged and washed, and a very brave stylist even took on the job of blowing out and straightening her hair. She sat in a state of awe as she watched the women talk and literally share everything about themselves with each other. It was such a realization to her that women were so nice.

“So, Julia.” Andrea stood behind her and looked at her in the mirror. “Tell us the truth. How in love with Elliot are you? On a scale of one to ten.”

This was her chance, Julia realized. To hide, like she always did or she could come clean, possibly make some friends.

She lifted her gaze and met Andy’s smiling face.

“Twenty,” she said.

“I knew it!” Kelsey laughed. “I’m the best matchmaker ever.”

When they were all finished in the salon and spa, they headed back to the elevators to get ready for the wedding.

“Are you nervous?” Julia asked Beth as they rode in the elevator.

Beth laughed. “God, no. I’m so ready to get this over with so we can just be married. We’re doing this wedding here for our favorite and closest family. In a month or two, we’re going to do a good old-fashioned barbecue at home in New Hampshire for all our friends to celebrate. Family, too—” she added. “You and Elliot are invited.”

Julia nodded. It seemed like a nice idea, getting married in a special ceremony in front of the people you cared about the most. It made her wonder, if she got married, who she would invite. Kelsey, her closest friend. Her father.

Was that really all she had? She imagined herself marrying Elliot with no one there for her while he had family surrounding him.

The elevator dinged when they got the Walker’s floor. “You guys will come back down, right? So we can all get ready together?” Beth asked hopefully.

“We’ll just grab our things and be right down,” Kelsey assured her.

Julia was quiet and distracted as they made their way to the suite.

“You okay?” Kelsey asked as she unlocked the door to their room.

Julia nodded without looking at her friend. She walked in and made a beeline to her bedroom.

“Jules?” Kelsey called after her.

Julia, not able to answer past the ridiculous lump of embarrassing emotion in her throat, threw her hand up in a backward wave and slammed the bedroom door behind her. She went into the closet under the pretense of finding her clothes and braced her hand against the doorframe, biting her lips between her teeth to hold in the overwhelming emotion.

She heard the door click open and soft footsteps behind her. Strong arms slipped around her waist from behind and Elliot pulled her to rest in the cradle of his chest.

“What’s the matter, Shorty?”

“It’s stupid,” she choked out. “And embarrassing.”

“Okay,” he said, holding her tighter. “I’m still listening.”

“Beth was saying that she and Logan are doing this wedding here just for their closest family.” Elliot nodded behind her and hummed his agreement. “It made me think…”

“Think what?” he asked quietly into her hair.

“I imagined what it would be like if you and I ever got married and only invited our families. I’d have no one.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.

Elliot turned her in his arms, leaning against the doorframe, cradling her body as she stood between his legs. He snaked a hand around her waist, the other running through her straight hair.

He smiled gently at her, understanding and warm. “Let’s start with the most important parts okay?”

Julia nodded, knowing that Elliot would tell her the truth. She trusted him to be honest with her. Always.

“You have family, Julia. You have me. My brothers and father will be your family. Plus, you have your dad and uncle and Kelsey.”

“My grandparents—” she started

“Forget them,” he told her firmly. “Family loves, Julia. They don’t hurt like that. You can’t let them keep doing that to you. You can’t let them take your happiness away. And I’d rather we say when.” He leaned in and kissed her gently.

“When what?” she asked against his lips.

“When we get married. I prefer to say when.”

“You do?”

He nodded, his intense gray stare penetrating. “You’re it for me, Julia. I’m going to ask you to marry me. You’re going to say yes.”

“I am?” she asked, warmth spreading from the smallest pinpoint in her heart and radiating all the way to the tips of her fingers and toes.

“You are,” he confirmed, his pinky touching the dimple in her cheek. “And then I’m going to be your family so it won’t matter who shows up to see us get married. As long as you and I are there, I don’t care about anyone else.”

Julia rested her head against his chest and squeezed him around the middle. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”

“Because I know you, babe,” he assured her. “Now, aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?”

She nodded and reached into the closet to grab a hanging bag which he promptly took from her.

“I guess we’re getting dressed in Beth’s room.”

He smiled a bit indulgently and nodded, taking her bag and walking her to the door where Kelsey was waiting. He assured her he’d meet her at the wedding and she and Kelsey headed downstairs. Kelsey, being an ever discreet confidante, said nothing about Julia’s freak out.

Kelsey knocked on Beth’s door and they were let in by Jenna, Andy’s daughter. Julia was surprised but pleased to be greeted with a hug. Beth and the other women were all dressed in robes with their hair in rollers. They chatted and drank champagne for a while until the stylist came back and started really styling the women’s hair. Julia easily put her hair into a fishtail braid and knotted it into a loose but stylish bun.

“Want me to help you into your dress?” Kelsey asked.

When Julia looked at her assistant, she noticed her designer knee-length dress, black on top and aqua on the bottom.

“Oh Kelsey, that dress is so beautiful on you,” she told her. Kelsey seemed surprised at the compliment but gave her a happy thank you without more comment. They went into the bathroom and Kelsey helped her get her dress buttoned up the back. When she came out, she wondered if she was overdressed when she noticed the women staring, openmouthed.

“Too much?” she asked, looking down. Her dress was a lovely long-sleeved trumpet gown, the nude underlay with a black lace overlay made her short body look longer.

“You can’t wear that,” Beth complained. “I’ll look like a frump standing next to you.”

“I have another dress I can wear,” Julia admitted, lifting her hem and turning back to the bathroom.

“Wait!” Beth called suddenly and eyed Julia’s feet. “Can I see your shoes?”

Confused, Julia lifted her hem again and held out her foot.

“Please tell me those are my size,” Beth begged.

She told Beth her size.

“Can I wear them?” Beth asked.

“Excuse me?” Julia responded, confused.

“Your shoes,” Beth explained. “I couldn’t afford the pair I loved and just ended up with these.” She held out a pair of shoes that were plain and so very unlike the bride herself. “But your shoes go perfectly with my dress. At least let me try them on,” she wheedled.

Julia slipped them off and handed the sling backs with the crystal scrollwork over.

“Oh my God,” Beth breathed. “Freakin’ Louboutins.” She put them on and everyone admired how perfectly they went with the wedding gown.

“I packed the gold Oscar de la Renta,” Kelsey told her. “There’s a pair of shoes that match in the bag.”

Julia went back into the bathroom and changed again. This time, she came out wearing a long-sleeve, knee-length, sequin dress.

Beth huffed again.

“Next time I get married I’m not inviting any more beautiful women. Too much competition.” She eyed everyone. “I wish you were all uglier.”

“She’s joking,” Alex told Julia. “I think.”

When the time came, they all piled into an elevator to head down to the beach patio, where Beth and Logan were getting married in front of the ocean. She expected the ride down to be a flurry of activity and nerves, but it was surprisingly silent.

“Mom would be so proud of you,” Andy said into the silence and put a hand on Beth’s shoulder.

“We’re so proud of you,” Alex added, her hand on the other shoulder.

Beth breathed in deeply and huffed. “No crying before the wedding. You’ll ruin my makeup.” She said it, though Julia could see she was struggling not to cry herself. “Someone change the subject.”

Julia, following a lead Kelsey had shown her many times, steered the conversation in a different direction.

“Elliot told me he wants to marry me,” she said into the emotionally charged air.

Every head turned in her direction. Julia casually watched the numbers above the elevator door, only shifting her focus when the doors slid open.

Alex and Andy pushed Beth out and Jenna followed. Kelsey stayed behind with Julia. “So, surly and sexy wants to put a ring on it, huh?”

“He’s not surly.”

“Sometimes,” Kelsey argued. “He’s surly to everyone else, maybe.”

Julia shrugged. “Maybe.”

They turned the corner to the patio and Julia saw Elliot waiting for her by the French doors. She was vaguely aware that Kelsey hurried out onto the patio, but she only had eyes for Elliot. He was stunning, waiting in a tailored tuxedo, tall and broad, hands in pockets, eyeing her intensely. When she got about halfway there, he held out a hand to her. She didn’t hesitate. Elliot pulled her into his body and held her close, his mouth against her neck.

“I can’t let you go out there,” he told her.

“Why not?”

“Every man out there will be watching you and wondering the same thing I am.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

He pressed his lips to her ear. “What you’re wearing under that dress.”

Julia put her hand on his cheek and looked deeply into those passionate gray eyes. “Nothing.”

* * *

Elliot watched her ass as she walked to the patio in front of him. The sun was low, well on its way to descending for the night. The bright orange light reflected off the white-and-gold sequence of her dress, making her sparkle in the light. Her legs were shiny and elegantly lean in her tall black shoes.

“Jesus, Elliot.” Spencer sidled up to him as he followed Julia down the aisle.

“I know.” Elliot agreed to the unspoken observation. Julia was a sight to behold, gorgeous and glamorous and completely oblivious to it. “Stop looking at my girl.”

Spencer shrugged. “Can’t help it. That dress is like a magnet.”

The ceremony was set up for no more than fifty people. Elliot found his seat next to Julia, his brothers, and of course, Kelsey. He watched Logan standing at the altar, waiting for Beth, a ridiculous smile on his face. His cousin was ready to marry the love of his life. That’s what Logan had told Elliot that morning. He was marrying the love of his life and he had no reason to be nervous. If he could have, he would have done it even sooner.

Never in his life had Elliot ever thought he’d find someone that he’d feel like that about. He’d always seen women as coming and going easily from his life, never making a lasting connection. He looked at Julia, who was avidly watching Logan, smiling his ass off and waving at some people in the chairs. Her eyes were wide and attentive, like she was waiting to see what was going to happen next.

He squeezed her hand and she turned her face to look at him.

“He looks so happy,” she whispered. Elliot agreed.

They watched as Jenna and then each of Beth’s sisters walked up the aisle. A guitar played quietly in the background, and they all stood when Beth appeared at the head of the aisle, her father at her side. Beth walked slowly to Logan, each of them smiling themselves silly. The ceremony was short but heartfelt. Logan had written his own vows and in true Logan fashion, they were funny but unabashedly loving. He spoke about loving Beth from the moment he laid eyes on her. On the other side of the coin, Beth’s vows were tributes to Logan’s love for her, his everlasting commitment even in the face of her fear.

When Elliot looked down at Julia, he noted that her eyes were misty. He put an arm around her and pulled her close.

Someday, he thought. Someday.

That night, as the wedding party continued in the hotel’s restaurant, Julia stood from the table and leaned over to whisper in Elliot’s ear.

“Meet me outside?” she asked.

He did his best not to draw attention to them, making sure to leave a few minutes after she did.

When he finally made his way out to the patio, he didn't see Julia anywhere. He searched the dark recesses but still didn't see her.

“Hey!” Julia’s voice echoed across the sand.

He looked down at the water and thought he saw her figure in the moonlight. He toed off his shoes and put his socks with them. When he got farther down the sand, he found her there, her dress sparkling in the moonlight, her eyes shining brilliantly. 

“Took you long enough.”

“What are you doing down here?” He laughed and reached for her.

She danced just out of his range and lifted the hem of her dress playfully. “I was remembering what you said a few months ago when we were on the island. About running across the beach.”

“Running across the beach naked,” he corrected. “And I said, there would be no running across the beach naked.”

Julia’s eyes sparkled mischievously. Her hands reached around her back and he heard the unmistakable sound of the teeth of a zipper coming apart.

“Julia,” he warned.

Her dress obviously parted in the back, causing it to droop in the front. “What? No one’s looking.”

“I'm looking!” Spencer's voice floated from the patio. “But please, don’t let that stop you.”

Julia stopped, dead still, and Elliot lifted a brow at her. She pulled a haughty face and then dropped the dress.

Elliott heard Spencer laugh from the patio and reached for Julia, who stepped out of his reach again.

She’d lied before. She was wearing panties, but she didn’t have a bra on. One of her arms crossed over her chest, covering her breasts, as she got farther away from him. She held a hand out to him, walking backward.

“Come on, El,” she teased. “You know you want to.”

Elliot looked backward and was relieved to see Spencer’s retreating back. He made his way to her in easy strides, chuckling as she squealed when the water lapped her ankles. He stopped before he got to the water, refusing to get his feet wet.

“I think I’ll just watch from here,” he told her. “You look beautiful in the moonlight.” 

She stood, chest high in the water, and began taking her hair out of the pins. “If you aren’t coming in, can you at least pick up my dress?” Her hair fell, floating on the water around her. “It was worth leaving my dress in the sand if I thought I got to skinny dip with you again. But if you aren't coming in, it would be a shame to ruin such a beautiful dress.”

He took the few steps to the dress and picked it up. “Do I even want to know how much this cost?” he asked, inspecting the sequins.

Julia dropped into the water up to her shoulders. “Not as much as the first dress I put on.”

Intrigued, he asked, “What happened to the first one?”

“Beth told me I couldn't wear it.” She dipped her head under the water and pushed her wet hair back.

“Must have been some dress.”

“You’re really not going to come in?” she asked.

“No, but I’m really enjoying watching you.”

“I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to go back to the wedding.”

“I'm pretty sure Spencer has already told everyone what's going on out here. I don't think anyone is expecting us to come back anytime soon.”

Julia sent him a contemplative look. “I'm not sure how I’m going to get back to our room,” she admitted.

“I supposed could go get you a robe.” His tone was considering.

“You suppose?” she asked.

He nodded and they stared at each other for a few seconds, electricity arcing between them.

“Well, if you’re in no hurry, I think I'll just swim for a while,” Julia said before diving into the water and disappearing.

He waited for a few seconds, but she never surfaced.

“Damn woman,” he ground out, stripping his clothes off and diving in after her.