Page 81 of Theirs to Corrupt

Before I’m quite ready, Nora arrives, her trusty pad in hand. Another woman who is carrying my bouquet accompanies her. Ariella re-enters the room right behind them.

As I smooth the front of my skirt, I blush. Does everyone know what I—what we—have been up to?

“Your gown is perfect on you,” Nora enthuses.

“Eloise is amazing.”

Nora waves away my words. “The bride makes the dress.” When I start to protest, she goes on, “Why else would we need models?”

She adjusts my veil, then takes the flowers from the assistant and hands them to me.

The arrangement is gorgeous and bigger than I could have imagined, and I am grateful to have something to occupy my hands.

“Link and Pax”—Nora checks her watch—”will be entering the chapel in one minute.”

Which means it’s time for us to leave.

Taking a deep breath, I nod.

“You do look amazing, ma’am,” Ariella says.

“Thank you for everything.”Especially for not saying anything when Link stormed in here.

Right on time, we arrive at the Sky Chapel.

The grooms’ arrival song ends, and there’s a pause.

“This is your moment,” Nora says.

The opening notes of “A Thousand Years” begin.

At the front of the room, facing me, stands Link, Pax, and Reverend Clara.

“Please stand for the bride,” Clara says.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tessa

For a moment, I am frozen in place.

And then I feel the heat of Link’s gaze on me.

With two fingers, he beckons me and mouths the words,“Come to us.”

He’s both encouraging and commanding.

Drawing strength from him, I shove aside my sudden fears and doubts to take my first steps down the aisle toward him.Them.

Even though I thought the hotel staff had set up too many chairs, we have enough guests to fill the room.

Of course, I know almost none of the people who are looking at me.

As I near the front, I miss a step.

Marge is there, snapping pictures with her phone. She lowers the device to smile at me.

Link thought to invite her as well?

---