CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX

KIM

For weeks now, nothing’s been going as planned. Karma seems to be biting me in the ass. Lost shipments, misplaced orders, deficient materials. My only comfort is seeing how happy Zoey is about her upcoming wedding.

Why does it have to be today that I’m running late? Power in my home went out for some unknown reason, and I overslept. I rush to the hotel where the wedding is taking place. Hurry to Zoey’s room. I could have spent the night here but didn’t. Had to go home, so I could sleep in my bed. Huge mistake.

I knock on the door before barging in. The girls are all getting ready.

“Sorry.”

Rachel and Beth walk over to me.

“What happened?” Rachel asks.

I shrug and snatch my dress off a hanger. Turn, and they’re both looking at me strangely. They think I hooked up with someone last night at the bachelorette party, and that’s why I’m late.

“Nothing. Power went out in my apartment, is all.” I scrunch my nose up at them. “I didn’t hook up with anyone. Geez, you guys.”

I hustle to the bathroom to change. I would do it out here, but you never know who might come in.

Before I close the door, my name is called. It’s Zoey.

“Kim, everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Be right out.”

I close the door and change into my bridesmaid dress. Still have to get my hair and makeup done. Zoey’s soon-to-be mother-in-law hired a makeup artist and hairstylist to get us ready for the big day. Getting pampered like this is wonderful. Reminds me of my runway days.

I glance at myself in the full-length mirror. My bridesmaid dress is lavender. It’s strapless and floats down around my ankles. It hugs me nicely. Zoey has excellent taste.

I walk out of the bathroom and take a seat next to Zoey. She’s getting her makeup finished, and one of the women starts dolling me up.

“Your skin is flawless,” she says. “I won’t have to do much on you.”

“Thanks.”

While the makeup artist does her thing, the hairdresser puts my hair up in an intricate updo with enough bobby pins to fill a pincushion.

In no time at all, we’re ready and standing outside the closed doors. I’m relieved I didn’t mess things up for her.

We each give Zoey a hug before making our own walk down the aisle. The room is beautiful with all the white and lilac flowers. I turn and give Zoey the big eyes. “Wow.”

She grins at me.

I turn around and get back to business. Slowly walk down the carpet. Ryder tries to catch a peek at Zoey, but she remains out of sight. She’s waiting for us to take our spots and the wedding march to begin. I hope he doesn’t pass out when he sees her. Her dress is beautiful. It’s stylish and sophisticated with a touch of sexy.

My eyes slide over to the groomsmen standing next to Ryder. The man I thought I would never see again is one of them. His head draws back quickly. He wasn’t expecting to see me. And vice versa. I move behind Beth, so I don’t have to look at him. I thought the groomsmen were Ryder’s brothers. How is it I never saw this one before the engagement party?

I forget about him as I watch Zoey walk down the aisle by herself. She decided she didn’t need anybody helping her. It doesn’t matter; she looks like a princess. I chuckle when Ryder surprises everyone by meeting her halfway. I don’t know if he wants to help her or is in a hurry to get her next to him. It takes no time before the minister reaches the ‘I do’ part of the vows. Ryder and Zoey asked for the shorter version. And they got it.

We still have pictures to take and the reception to attend after the ceremony. I can’t wait for the pictures to be over so I can get these shoes off. It’s been a while since I’ve worn heels, and they’re killing my feet. I don’t know how I survived all those years of modeling.

I follow Beth toward the center aisle. I have to walk down it with my stranger. This isn’t good. I should really know his name.

He’s waiting for me with his crooked smile. I’ve thought about him a lot over the weeks but never imagined I’d see him again. Where was he last night during rehearsal? I’d remember seeing him if he were there.

Now here I am, and he’s walking me back down the aisle. This is going to be torturous. I can’t help but wonder if he came with a date. I glimpse at him, trying not to be too obvious. He’s watching me. I heard Ryder’s brothers are quite the playboys, not wanting to settle down. I’m not into one-night stands. Never done one before and won’t be doing one tonight.

I shake my head. Can’t let a man deter me from my goal. I’m not like my mother, who needs a man to take care of her. When she picks her next victim, she either bleeds them dry or gets tired of them and moves on. Pretty pathetic.

I’m jerked back to the present when the photographer pushes the entire wedding party to the terrace for pictures. My stranger hasn’t let go of my arm yet.

I stop and turn toward him. “Sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Josh Dalton, ma’am. You would be Kimberly Lewis. I asked my brother.”

“Nice to meet you,” I tell him.

He squeezes my hand. I’ve never been this attracted to anyone before. Have to fight it, though. Have to hold on to my convictions and not let him mess with my head.