Page 14 of Infinite Love Novella

“Everything is on track,” he assured me. “The helicopter arrives at nine o’clock on the dot, even if the skies do open,” he continued. “Anything that blows through should be out to sea by then. I have Connor checking the weather reports too. We’ve got you covered.”

“All right, guys. Let’s get together here.” The photographer waved her hands, motioning for us to stand closer at the base of the stairs with the mansion behind us.

“Remember when we used to go to weddings and see who could be the first to screw a bridesmaid?” Magnus muttered through a smile as the photos were snapped. “Those were the days.”

“No,” I grunted, smiling for the camera. Not that I thought he truly meant it. It was more of a joke meant to ease my tension, but I felt it needed to be said. When I looked back at that version of myself and how empty his life was, I hardly recognized him. “These are the days.”

We finished, and Magnus handed me my flask, which I noticed was no longer empty when I took it from him. “Here’s my contribution to your mental well-being,” he told me with a grin, touching his flask to mine before we both took a swig.

“Shaking off those last-minute jitters?” I turned at the question, vaguely recognizing the voice. Once I identified my father standing at my mother’s side, it was no surprise that the voice was only faintly recognizable to my ears. I was more surprised they’d managed to fly in from their estate in Florence for the ceremony. As it was, they had cut it pretty close.

“Everything looks beautiful.” My mother air kissed both of my cheeks before taking my hands. She was perfectly groomed, as always. Flawless. And for once, she looked genuinely happy. “You’ve done a wonderful job planning this, and I’m sure Olivia will be a beautiful bride.”

“Here’s hoping you get through the ceremony before the clouds open,” my father joked, staring at the sky. “Even a Farrah Goldsmith original won’t hold up against a torrential downpour.”

“Why don’t I show you over to the ceremony area?” Barrett greeted them warmly before escorting them away before I could burst a blood vessel. Though I didn’t hold anything against them, and there were no hard feelings, my grandmama had been more of a parent to me than either of them could ever have hoped to be. If they hadn’t made it, I would’ve gotten over it without trying. If she had missed this, I imagined I would have felt strangely empty.

Magnus gave me a gentle shove from behind before passing me. “We should all get over there,” he pointed out, and now I noticed the wedding planners and various staff herding the guests out to the rows of white chairs arranged in front of the floral arch. Beyond it, waves crashed dramatically as the storm built.

Mother Nature had decided to RSVP.

What a shame she couldn’t have been late to the event.

8

ARI

This was it.

All the planning had led to this moment, where I waited beneath an arch dripping with fragrant blooms. I had my best friends at my back. The love of my life was about to emerge from the house and make the dramatic walk down the back stairs on her father’s arm. They would travel down a snow-white runner lined on both sides by potted, flowering trees that ran from the far end of the runner up to the front row of chairs. My parents sat with Grandmama on one side while Olivia’s mom sat across from them.

We shared a smile, and her chin quivered with emotion.

The faint strains of “Canon in D” floated through the air as the string quartet began to play. I stiffened my spine while my pulse raced, and the wedding procession began. Evelyn went first, holding Noah’s hand and helping him down the stairs. Once they reached the lawn, she crouched down a bit and pointed to me, murmuring instructions. I couldn’t pretend my heart wasn’t in my throat as he began his walk, holding the satin pillow containing our rings. It seemed if anything, he enjoyed the attention, beaming as guests chuckled and sighed over his navy blue suit, a miniature version of the suits the guys and I wore.

“Daddy!” It was like he finally noticed I was waiting for him once he was halfway down the aisle, and from that point, he ran full-out, carrying the pillow by one corner. There was a reason the rings were held in place with a length of ribbon tied in a bow.

“Thank you, pal.” I gave him a fist bump and ruffled his hair before Grandmama reached for him, motioning for him to join her. As soon as he was settled, it was Evelyn’s turn, followed by Pepper, and finally, Lourde as Matron of Honor. The girls wore matching originals—floor length, strapless sheath dresses featuring a length of sheer crêpe sewn in at the waist and gathered to cover one shoulder. The light peach color, one of the year’s most popular, complemented our navy suits and was also featured in their bouquets and the archway over my head.

“We did well for ourselves, didn’t we?” Barrett murmured with his eyes glued to his wife as she finished the procession.

I couldn’t respond. The girls were assembled, and the guests rose, all of us looking toward the house in anticipation. This was it. Everything had led to this. All the waiting, even when I didn’t know I was waiting. How could I have imagined there was a woman out there so completely perfect for me?

I could barely breathe as she came into view on her father’s arm, and a gasp of admiration rose over the guests as Olivia and her father began to descend. The dramatic lace train and Olivia’s antique lace veil trailed behind them.

It didn’t surprise me when she’d announced she wanted something timeless and classic. She was not a woman who bowed to trends. With that in mind, the team designed a silk gown with a mermaid skirt entirely overlaid with the finest antique lace from Burano, Italy, for her. It featured a sweetheart neckline with loosely draped sleeves that barely touched her elbows. In front of her was an enormous peach and cream bouquet, and last I’d heard, my grandmama had given Olivia a lace handkerchief to tie around the stems as her ‘something borrowed.’

More than anything, it was her smile that held my attention. She was radiant, glowing, a princess floating down the aisle surrounded by adoring guests. This was what she deserved, nothing less, and joy shone from her tear-filled eyes when they met mine.

I had to remind myself to breathe as she came closer.

Once they reached us, Olivia’s father shook my hand. “You know we wish you nothing but the best,” he murmured. “You take care of her now.”

“That’s all I ever want to do,” I assured him before he turned to Olivia and kissed her cheek. They exchanged a few quiet words before she handed her bouquet to Lourde, then took my hand.

It was electric, the touch of her skin. Everything slid into place and the world went silent and still for one brief moment.

Everything made sense.

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