Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Autumn

T he penthouse is full of family and friends. Harper walks through the place like she owns it, carrying a garment bag with glasses on her face. When she arrived this morning, she dropped off her bags then left to take care of planning everything. Zane insisted it was low-key, that we already had the venue secured—because money can literally buy anything in Sin City—and that she didn’t need to fuss.

As soon as she’s close, she guides me away from Zane. I nearly spill my martini but save it at the last minute. In less than five hours, we will all take limos to the little chapel to get married by Elvis.

I glance at Blaire and Julie, who are chatting with my parents. With a nod of the chin, they’re breaking away and following us.

“I invited my friends,” I tell Harper.

“The more the merrier,” she grins, leading me to the oversized bedroom.

Julie and Blaire enter and shut the door behind them.

“I was able to find a dress that I think you’ll love,” Harper says. “Vivie and I are close, and she had this in your exact measurements. She had it flown to me.” Harper does a wiggle and rubs her arms. “Sorry, it gave me chills again. It's like it was made for you.”

My best friends stand beside me as Harper sets the dress on the hook on the back of the door. She unzips the front and reveals the pearl-white fabric that shimmers in the light. The three of us gasp and an overwhelming sensation comes over me. Emotions take over, and though I’m smiling, tears stream down my face.

I’m living a fairytale.

“Harper…” I can barely speak, the words stuck in my throat. “It’s beautiful.”

“Right? It’s totally you,” Harper says. “When I saw it, I had the same reaction. It’s Bagatelle. Off the shoulders. Internal bone corset with a super cinched waist. Plus.” She reaches forward. “Pockets.”

“Wow.” Julie exhales and she’s crying along with Blaire.

“Oh my God, if the three of you don’t stop, I’ll lose my composure too,” Harper playfully warns. “Sometimes it sucks being an empath.”

“It’s just…” I suck in a breath. “It feels like a dream come true.” I wipe my cheeks.

Harper places her hand on my upper back. “You’re the one, Autie. The only one. This was meant just for you—my brother, the dress, the intense burning love. You were made for one another. And I’m so thrilled for both of you.”

A knock on the door steals my attention. Harper cracks it open and I hear Zane’s voice, as if talking about him somehow summoned him.

“No, you absolutely cannot come in here,” Harper states, her tone firm and mildly terrifying.

He slightly peeks in and sees us crying.

“What have you done?” he accuses.

Harper scoffs. “I didn’t do anything.”

“No, no,” I say, moving forward, switching places with Harper. “It’s fine. Just happy tears.”

“Not getting cold feet on me?” His tone drops an octave and he shoots me a sexy smile.

“Never,” I whisper. “Are you?”

“Fuck no.”

Our mouths magnetize together and we nearly lose control.

“Okay, okay that’s enough,” Harper says, pulling me away, giving him the evil eye.

“We’re wedding planning, got it?”

He chuckles with swollen lips and checks his watch.

“We’re gonna kick your ass if you don’t go away,” Julie threatens with her hands on her hips.

I meet his eyes. “She means that.”

A chuckle rumbles through him. “I know.”

I steal another kiss before Blaire pulls me away, and Harper pushes Zane out. The door locks and she turns to me.

“Before we were rudely interrupted, I was going to suggest that you try it on just to make sure it fits,” Harper says.

Julie and Blaire agrees.

Harper removes it from the garment bag. I’m in awe, holding it as the bright sun shines in the windows, making it shimmer like a pearl.

“Shit, I have shoes too, one moment. They’re in my suitcase.” She leaves the room, allowing me alone time with my besties. It’s the first time I’ve had the chance to talk with them without everyone around and I’m thankful for the time.

Harper is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever met and pays attention to social queues. Even Blaire.

Julie smiles wide. “You’re actually marrying Mr. Dreamy!”

Blaire claps her hands together. “So glad I did that love spell.”

Julie turns to her. “Yeah? Well it didn’t work for me. You gave Autumn the entire potion, apparently.”

I burst into laughter. “I don’t know how this is my life.”

“It couldn’t have happened to a better, more caring person. You’re proof dreams come true,” Blaire confirms.

Julie gives me a sweet smile. “You’ve made me believe in love again.”

“Jules,” I say, hugging her tight. “You’ll find love.”

“I know, I know. Now please, go try it on before I force my ass into it first,” Julie says, but she’s smiling.

Reaching forward, I grab both of their hands. “I love you two. Three Musketeers forever.”

“I’m just waiting for you to tell Julie I’m your maid of honor,” Blaire says.

Julie crosses her arms. “Hell no! We will fight right here.”

“Can you two figure it out and just let me know?” I ask.

I move to the bathroom and slide out of my clothes. I step into the material, pull it up, and glance in the full-length mirror. Happiness and excitement swell inside me.

I am marrying the man of my dreams, and I can almost imagine our entire life together. Not wanting my emotions to take over again, I blink hard, inhale a deep breath, and catch a glint of the beautiful ring on my finger.

A knock at the door pulls my attention away.

“Are you okay in there?” Harper asks.

“Yep, fine. Want to help me zip her up?”

The door clicks open and Harper walks inside. I meet her eyes. She covers her mouth with her hand, then walks forward and zips it the rest of the way.

“Do you like it? You can say no and I’ll find other options. I just thou?—”

“It’s what I would’ve chosen. I’d marry your brother in a T-shirt and shorts.” I pull her into a hug. “Thank you for saving the day. It’s like you knew.”

“I’m happy you’re going to be my sister,” she says, and we let go of one another.

“We want to see!” Julie says from the bedroom.

Harper nods and moves out of the way as I walk by. As soon as I step out, the door swings open and my sister enters.

“Autie! Holy shit.” Winter is speechless. So are Blaire and Julie.

Harper grins wide. “You’re a showstopper, babe!”

My sister immediately bursts into tears and hugs me, pushing hair out of my face. “You’re beautiful. Look at you.”

“I missed you,” I tell her. The last time I saw her was two years ago. She’s been busy with school and work. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah, well, I kinda quit my job to be here,” she says.

“Winter, no.” I shake my head. “Please tell me you’re kidding.” My sister has worked her ass off to be where she is.

“You’ll only get married once.” She grabs my hand. “No way I’m missing it.”

“Well shit, there goes our maid of honor title,” Julie says. Blaire snort-laughs.

“Can you go get Mom?” I ask.

She nods and walks away. I spin around, placing my hands in my pockets. Harper puts the shoes on the floor and I step inside the two-inch heels.

“Taylor does four hour shows in that brand. You could run a marathon in them,” she says. They give me the perfect amount of height for where the dress falls on the ground. “I’m good at this.”

“You are,” I say with a laugh. “My fairy godmother.”

A minute passes and there’s a light tap on the door. Harper walks over and cracks it open, then steps to the side to let my mom in the room. As soon as she sees me, she rushes over and hugs me tight.

“Autie. Wow. My beautiful daughter. I’m happy for you. Zane is a good man.” She meets my eyes and tears well again. She lets me go and reaches into her pocket to pull out a black velvet pouch. “They were your gran’s, that she wore on her wedding day, and that I wore on mine. It’s tradition.”

My mother hands me a pair of earrings and I put them in, then she places the matching necklace around my neck.

“Thank you, Mom,” I whisper. She smiles brightly. It’s true happiness for me.

“Okay, now, if we don’t stop with all this, I’ll cry the rest of the day and I probably shouldn’t do that.”

“And we have makeup and hair, so please, kindly change. I’ll make sure your gown is at the chapel waiting for you.”

I nod and excuse myself. Harper unzips me halfway, knowing I’d need the help, and after I’m back in my jeans and T-shirt and the dress is on its hanger, I return.

“Oh, almost forgot to tell you, Oliver and Katie are already at a salon close to the venue.” She checks her watch. “You have to arrive within the next thirty minutes to be ready in time.”

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Should probably get going.” She glances at her phone.

“Already?”

“Yep. Now. Don’t want to be late. Too many moving pieces.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“The next time we see you, you’ll be saying ‘I do’,” Blaire says.

“All of you have to promise me you won’t drink too much, okay?” I ask as Harper guides me out of the room.

“We’ll save it for the after party,” Julie says and Winter laughs.

Harper’s hand is on my back and Zane follows us. As soon as I’m close, he cups my palms in his hands and kisses me. “You have to go now, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I say. “I’ll see you there.”

“One moment, I owe Harper something.” He smirks.

I already know where this is going.

“Excuse me, excuse me.” Zane meets the gazes of our closest friends and family. Weston, Easton, and Billie Calloway must’ve arrived while I tried on my beautiful gown. “I just want you all to know that Harper predicted this entire thing, and she’s the greatest sister in the world.” Everyone laughs and smiles fill the room. He turns to her. “I fulfilled my promise.”

“Thank you,” she says. “Is this a good time to mention how many kids you’ll have?”

My eyes widen. “Nope! Not ready for that yet!”

She shrugs. “Fine.”

“Did you say five?” My voice goes up an octave.

“I said fine. F-I-N-E.”

“Oh, thank God!” I'm relieved.

Zane chuckles.

“Wait, do you know?” I ask.

“I requested no more spoilers.”

Harper’s phone vibrates. “Car is downstairs.”

“I’m going with you,” Zane says. “No way I’m letting you out of my sight.”

“Great, you should probably get going now,” Harper says, pushing us both toward the door.

Once we’re in the hallway, our mouths collide. Zane steps forward until my back touches the door and I moan against him. “Fuck,” I whisper.

“I’ve wanted to be alone with you all day,” he tells me, kissing my neck, nibbling on my ear.

“We have forever,” I say, smiling. Our noses brush and I’m breathless.

Zane places his hand on the small of my back and once we're outside, we slide into an SUV that's parked in the valet. We zoom across town and I don’t think I see the smile fade once.

“What?” I ask with brows raised.

He shakes his head. “Are you truly happy?”

I nod. “Only because of you.”

“I wrote you something.” He pulls a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “This is my last chance to see you until later. Please read it right before you walk down the aisle. Not a moment sooner.”

“Okay.” I tap it in my hands then meet his gaze. “The anticipation might actually kill me.”

“You’ll survive. Don’t cheat,” he warns.

“I won’t. I promise.”

The car slows, then comes to stop. The door opens and I realize we had less time together than I thought.

“I can’t wait to marry you,” I confirm, stealing a kiss. His fingers brush softly across my cheek and he steals my breath away as he pours all that he is into me.

“Today is the best day of my life,” he whispers against my mouth, and I need him like I need air.

The driver doesn’t rush it, but Oliver does.

“Autumn, you better get your ass in here so we can get you wedding ready.” He leans against the door of the salon they rented for the entire day.

I turn back to Zane, sucking in a deep breath.

“What is it?” He searches my face. “You can tell me.”

“This isn’t right,” I whisper.