Chapter 27

SIX MONTHS LATER

"The house is beautiful," Charlotte said as she laced up my corset dress. "It's a damned miracle it was done in time though."

I nodded as I tried not to wince and cursed myself for not spending more time on the treadmill. The dress fit, but breathing was going to be a bit of a challenge. The house in question was the one that Jax had built for us on the beachfront property he'd purchased the year before. After our engagement, he'd made it a priority to get it done. He'd said it was my wedding present, but I knew he just wanted a place that was ours once we were hitched.

"Oh my gosh," Charlotte said softly. "You look amazing, Marion."

"I do?" I shifted to stand in front of the mirror and was amazed by the transformation. My waist was cinched, my hair had been put into a fancy updo with some soft curls framing my face, and my makeup looked like a professional had done it. In reality, it had been Charlotte. Her talents never ceased to amaze me.

"Are you ready yet?" Celia asked impatiently from the other side of the mirror.

It didn't even surprise me anymore when she popped in. "Is everyone here?"

"Yep. Even Kai Gray." She pumped her eyebrows as if there was some gossip behind that fact.

"Okay, I'll bite," Charlotte said. "Why are you making that face?"

"Because he's the most eligible bachelor here, and everyone, and I do mean everyone, seems to want him," she said, her eyes gleaming.

"Including you?" I asked.

"No. I'm taken," she said with a huff. "Though I would enjoy that challenge."

I frowned at her. "I thought you said he was boring?"

She just shrugged. "That was before I realized how enjoyable it is to watch him work out. No one else has a body like that." Celia gave us an exaggerated wink and then disappeared again.

I walked over to the window of my master bedroom and looked down at the guests that were already seated and waiting for the ceremony to start. Sure enough, Kai was there, sitting by himself in the back row. But I didn't miss his gaze lingering on Autumn.

"Those two are still perfect for each other," Charlotte said.

"I know, but Kai doesn't want to date, and I won't fix her up with someone who is so closed off," I said.

"A more motivated matchmaker would figure out how to get them in the same room together until they realized how hot they are for each other. You know, like a closet at a wedding reception."

"Charlotte, please tell me you're not planning something like that," I pleaded.

"Oops, look at the time," she said, ignoring my comment. "You don't want to be late to marry the man of your dreams, do you?"

I opened my mouth to protest but then heard the wedding song playing, indicating it was indeed time to meet Jax at the altar.

The door opened and my dad walked in. His eyes were misty as he held his arm out to me. I took it, and when we stepped outside onto the carpet that led to the altar on the gazebo, I beamed at the love of my life, ready to promise him forever.

***