Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Mouthing the lyrics to the song playing on my tablet, I smoothed my hand along the brown parcel tape, pressing it firmly against the cardboard box to help it stick. Satisfied it was well wrapped, I grabbed the black marker from the hardwood floor beside me and then scribbled, “BOOKS” on both sides of the box.

I’d spent the past two hours sitting on my bedroom floor packing my belongings, and my butt was beginning to hurt. Luckily, there wasn’t much left to do, because I couldn’t afford to stay up late.

I was getting married tomorrow.

I would have thought I’d be a nervous wreck, but I was the most relaxed I’d been since Dax emailed me out of nowhere to ask for a client consultation. No doubt I’d have a bad case of the jitters in the morning, though. It wasn’t every day a girl exchanged vows with a man before a priest, was it?

Organizing the wedding had gone more smoothly than I’d expected. There had been some glitches here and there, but all were quickly fixed. The entire team at Sapphire Glade had been determined to ensure that nothing got in the way.

They were also determined to ensure that every step of the wedding itself was flawlessly executed. Sabrina had put them all under strict instructions to not let me try interfering tomorrow—it would be too easy for me to let my organizational instincts take over even on my own “special day.”

News of the upcoming wedding had spread fast. People often asked me if it was true, naturally somewhat shocked by how the engagement had come out of nowhere. Like with Grayden, I hadn’t corrected their assumptions that Dax and I were secretly an item and nor did I tell them about the pact—I doubted many people would truly understand why Dax and I had stuck to it, and we could really do without the negativity.

We had enough negativity from our families. Though, to be fair, they were easing up on their attempts to be problematic. Both Dane and Ollie had finally ceased badgering me and Dax to back out of our agreement, though they still weren’t happy about it. In fact, Ollie had taken to sulking—something made apparent by his one-word text-responses and his insistence on dodging my calls.

I hadn’t heard from Kensey again, nor had I seen anything of Blake. According to Dax, his father wasn’t keen on the marriage but had stopped commenting on it.

Melinda and Wyatt weren’t pleased about it either. They hadn’t reacted too well on learning of it. In fact, they’d come to my home and dedicated several hours into trying to make me reevaluate my outlook on the subject. But, of course, it came to nothing. Eventually they’d thrown their hands up and let it go.

Simon was a little more supportive, though evidently worried I was making the wrong choice. His concern was that it would all go tits up and I’d later feel hurt and trapped. Sabrina’s parents harbored that same concern but, like Simon, were supporting me.

Pushing aside the box of books, I squirmed slightly to ease the ache in my butt. There wasn’t much left to pack at this point. Mostly yet more books, along with some leftover clothes I hadn’t gotten round to boxing up yet.

I’d left out the things I’d need for tomorrow, of course. I was planning to get ready here, as were the rest of the bridal party, including Raven. I didn’t worry she’d feel like an outsider. When we’d all met for our gown fittings, she’d slotted right into the group with total ease. Mostly because she and Harri had hit it off instantly. Honestly, you’d think they’d known each other for years.

Bopping my head as yet another song began to play, I grabbed a flattened box from the nearby pile and began putting it together. The singer, Inaya Rose, happened to live in Redwater. She was married to an equally famous rock legend, Kaiser Wolfe.

I’d caught glimpses of the couple here and there, and they were seriously cute together. She was a huge smiler while he was a total grump who liked very few people. Even as he wore his default frown, he looked at Inaya as if she were his own personal sun. And if my chest panged at the thought that no one other than Lake had or would ever look at me that way, I set that little titbit aside.

I hadn’t seen much of Dax over the past week. I’d gone to his villa again only twice. The first time it had been because I’d needed to drop off my post-wedding bag that included all I’d need for the morning after—I wouldn’t have the rest of my stuff until I moved in. The second time I’d gone to his home was because he’d wanted me to officially meet Maverick, so he’d invited him to the villa for dinner, along with his brothers and Jag.

All six males were currently enjoying a meal together at one of Oakengrove’s top restaurants—Dax’s version of a bachelor party. He’d had the restaurant close to everyone but them, so it would be a private celebration.

He’d offered to arrange something similar for me and my bridal party but, to be frank, I didn’t have the time to hold a bachelorette do of any sort. I had to work hard to not allow my wedding to cause me to neglect other events I was arranging.

Hearing my doorbell ring, I frowned, not expecting any visitors. Dropping the parcel tape to the floor, I pushed to my feet and winced. Damn, the ball of my back was stiff as a mother.

I paused my music, headed out of my bedroom, and skipped down the stairs. Opening my front door, I blinked at the sight of my mom waiting there. “Oh, hi.” Stepping aside so she could enter, I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I didn’t know you were coming.” Hopefully she wasn’t here to make one, last-ditch attempt to talk me out of marrying Dax. I had too much to do to humor her.

Her brow creased. “I did text you to let you know I was on my way.”

“Sorry, I mustn’t have heard the phone chime,” I said, closing the door. “I had music playing while I packed.”

I padded into the living area, conscious of her following me. On the sofa, Gypsy—who was curled into a ball—lifted her head and let out a fussy little chirping sound at my mom. Vienna crossed straight to her, sat down, and began petting her while muttering sweet nothings.

I scratched my cheek. “Want a drink or anything?”

“Nah, I’m fine.” She glanced around. “No Alicia?”

I shook my head. “She went to grab us some takeout food.” Before that, she’d been helping me box up my things.

Crossing one leg over the other, Vienna smiled up at me. “You all set for tomorrow?”

“Yup.”

“Nervous?”

“No, but that’ll probably change in the morning.” I cocked my head. “So, what brings you here?” I asked, keeping my voice casual.

She reached into her purse. “I have something for you.”

Surprise flickered in my belly. “Oh, okay.” I walked to the sofa and sat beside her.

“As you know, I married your dad in Vegas and then we later held a reception in Redwater.” She held out a small, white box. “Your grams gave this to me for my wedding reception, and now I want to give it to you.”

Removing the lid, I felt my brows lift. It was a large safety-pin that sported four tiny charms—a horseshoe, a sixpence, a blue heart, and a photo frame. Inside the frame was a picture of my mom cradling a newborn-me while my dad hovered over us.

“Old, new, borrowed, and blue,” I uttered to myself, having seen other brides with similar pins.

“Yes. Obviously, the photo isn’t the same. The frame originally held one of me and Simon. I changed it for you.” She lightly touched the pin. “I clipped it to my bouquet. I thought you might like to clip it to yours.”

I licked my lips and met her gaze. “Thank you.”

“There was another thing your grams gave me at the exact same time she gifted me this pin.”

“What?”

“An apology.”

I double-blinked, straightening in my seat.

“You see, she found out after I’d married your dad that he’d needed a wife to access his trust fund—I won’t go into how she learned of it, it’s a long story,” Vienna added with a flick of her hand. “She rightly assumed that was why he married me, but she thought I didn’t knowthat; thought he’d tricked me into believing he loved me when, in fact, I was very aware he didn’t feel that way about me.”

It was genuinely hard to picture him not adoring my mother—she was his world.

“Because Melinda had doubted his feelings for me, she’d acted a little cold and stiff toward him for a time.” Vienna’s gaze dropped to the pin. “But the day she gave me this, she apologized; explained she’d reacted that way because she’d been terrified I’d be hurt … and that’s basically where I am with you now. I’m scared that this won’t work out the way you hope, but I shouldn’t have let that fear get in the way.”

Not liking the heap of guilt in her voice, I gave her arm a little squeeze. “It’s okay. I get why you did.”

“It’s not okay. With the exception of your sisters, we’ve all been a little pessimistic about you marrying Dax. I should have made more of an effort to be the opposite, because I know better than anyone that you can grow to love someone who you never expected would become important to you.”

“So you hadn’t cared for Dad when you married him?”

She gave her head a small shake, her mouth curving. “I liked him. I respected him. I thought he was too gorgeous for his own good. But I married him only as a favor, and I didn’t plan to be his wife for more than a year. That was our agreement. He hadn’t wanted any part of marriage back then.”

I would never have guessed he’d been so averse to it.

“I know it’s different with you and Dax. The marriage won’t be fake or temporary. You’re determined to make it work. But still, you’re going into this without the main ingredient that keeps couples together. That initially worried me. You were right that feelings can grow, though. Me and your dad are evidence of that—something I’ve repeatedly pointed out to him over the past week while pushing him to kick his overprotectiveness aside and give the marriage a chance.”

“But he’ll still walk me down the aisle looking like he’s chewing on a lemon,” I said, feeling my mouth kick up.

She sighed. “Probably. He’s not exactly pleasant in the best of circumstances.” She stroked a hand over my hair. “I’m sorry that I reacted the way I did initially. I’m sorry that I made this about how I felt rather than about how you felt.” She made a face. “I totally pulled a Melinda.”

I felt my smile widen. “It’s all right. You’re forgiven,” I said, putting the lid on the box.

“Anyway … there’s no way someone can’t love you, Addie, so I don’t see why feelings won’t develop in the case of you and Dax.”

I wasn’t so confident of that, but I quipped, “What’s not to love?”

“I know!” Vienna chuckled. “If Dax doesn’t at the very least grow to care for you, there has to be something wrong with him.”

I snickered and carefully put the box on the coffee table. “If he doesn’t, well, at least I know I can trust him. That’s not something I take for granted. Not after the past relationships I’ve had.”

She angled her body toward me. “As someone who walked into a marriage with a man they weren’t first dating, I’m going to give you some advice that will hopefully help.”

All ears, I cocked my head.

“Regular couples can read each other well; they each know the other’s patterns, hot buttons, triggers, thought processes, etc. You two don’t. It’s going to be vital that you’re straight with each other. Don’t make assumptions—that’s how misunderstandings form, and suddenly you two won’t be on the same page anymore.”

“We promised we’d be honest,” I assured her. “He’ll work with me, not against me.”

Vienna nodded in satisfaction. “Good. You might not be a couple as such, but you’ll be a team. Stand together. Back each other. Be willing to hear the other’s side to a story—there are always stories with people as high-profile as Dax. I know that from my relationship with your dad.”

Even today, articles were printed that featured rumors of Dane’s alleged “infidelity.” Anyone who knew him would know he would never disrespect himself or my mother that way even if it weren’t for the fact that he had eyes for no one but her.

She dug her teeth into her lower lip. “I want to say one last thing. If you find yourself unhappy in this marriage, if you later feel that you need a way out, it won’t make you a failure.”

“I wouldn’t think it did,” I denied.

She rolled her eyes. “Apparently you’ve forgotten that I know you.” She gently poked my shoulder. “You don’t like to give up on anything; it makes you feel like you’ve failed. It’s why you granted the guys in your past way more chances than they deserved. Don’t doom yourself to a cold marriage out of that kind of stubbornness.”

Knowing I was in fact guilty of what she accused, I promised, “I won’t.”

She flashed me a winning smile and opened her arms. “Good. Come here.”

I hugged her tight, leaning into her.

She patted my back. “Your dad will come round. He’s already gone from planning to shoot Dax to merely imagining it.”

Drawing back, I said, “That’s progress.”

“I think so.”

The sound of the front door opening made us both turn slightly. Moments later, Alicia entered the room, carrying takeout bags. I was guessing she’d noticed our mother’s car parked at the curb, because the vision of Vienna on the sofa came as no surprise to her.

“Hey, Mom.” A hint of unease flickered in her eyes. “Whatcha doing here?” It was a casually spoken question, but I heard the worry there.

“I haven’t come to pester Addie to call off the wedding, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Vienna gestured at the box on the coffee table. “I brought a gift for her.”

Alicia grinned. “Ooh, let’s see.”

I retrieved the box and gently pulled off the lid. “Grams gave it to Mom for her wedding reception, and now she’s giving it to me. It’s to clip on my bouquet.”

Delight lit Alicia’s eyes. “That’s so precious.” Her gaze cut to our mother. “What did you bring me?”

Vienna’s brow furrowed. “Nothing. You’re not getting married tomorrow.”

“I don’t feel like that needs to be relevant, but fine.” Alicia lifted her bags. “There’s plenty of food here. Want to eat with us?”

“Yeah, go on. I can’t stay long, though. I need to have an early night so I’m fresh for tomorrow.” Vienna looked at me. “So do you.”

“I will. First, food. Then I have to finish packing.” And hopefully I wouldn’t lie awake for hours—it tended to happen when I knew I needed sleep.

It was going to be a long day, and I’d be exhausted by the end of it. Then again, maybe not, since I’d spend the entire time thinking about what would come when Dax and I retreated to his villa. Or, more to the point, thinking about how I would come. Hard. No doubt more than once, if he hadn’t lost his touch, so to speak. The latter didn’t seem probable.