Page 79 of Perfectly Wedded

Mom shakes her head. “Never.”

The women settle at the dining room table as Sloan opens a brownie mix and gets out the eggs.

“You don’t want to be in there helping them make plans for your wedding?” I ask with a frown.

“It’s just a wedding renewal ceremony,” she says, cracking eggs into a bowl.

“For me it’s not a renewal,” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist. I move my lips close to her ear. “I’m considering this the real deal, Sloan. Not what we had in Vegas.”

She shakes her head. “But I don’t need allthis.”

I know what she’s thinking because I can see the doubt in her eyes. She hasn’t told the truth about our first wedding, so she doesn’t deserve this big celebration.

“That’s not the way it works,” I say, clamping my hand on hers to stop her from avoiding this conversation.

“What do you want, Vale?” She spins to look at me, and I can see the fear in her eyes, the doubts swirling there. She’s afraid the other shoe will drop. Something will go wrong. Someone will find out about us. Everything will fall apart.

I take her hands in mine and bring them to my lips. “Sloan, we are getting married, no matter what happens. Just because we did things backward doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a fancy party and all the extras. And even though you’re afraid it doesn’t mean that anything is going to go wrong. If I’m marrying you in front of God and everyone, we’re going to do it right this time.”

“Sloan, are you coming?” her sister calls from the other room. “We need your opinion on the entertainment.”

“See what I have to put up with,” she says. “So bossy.”

“Kind of like another girl I know,” I say with a smirk.

She hides a grin. “You’re not going to let me get out of this, are you?”

“Absolutely not,” I say. “So let me put the brownies in the oven for you, and you go plan your dream wedding.”

Sloan heads to the dining room as I slide the brownies into the oven and set a timer.

“I don’t need any entertainment,” Sloan announces as soon as she sits down.

Jaz scoffs. “You have to.The Star Reportexpects you and Vale to have a first dance for their photography list. They’ve already requested it.”

“Photography list?” Sloan asks. She rubs her forehead. I can tell she’s not pleased by this at all.

Mia nods. “You definitely need a DJ because I want to dance. And Vale needs to dance with Mom. Right, Mom?”

“I would love that,” Mom says, looking up at me as I stand next to Sloan’s chair.

“I thought we were keeping this small,” Sloan says, looking over Jaz’s shoulder at her list.

“The Star Reportexpects this event to be a big deal. And you said you wanted your dream wedding.”

“I didn’t say my dream wedding would be a ridiculously over-the-top affair,” she says.

She is already nervous about the wedding. HavingThe Star Reportthere only adds to the stress. I get why Jaz wants them there—it’s great press for me and the team and will restrict other media outlets from crashing our wedding.

“How about food?” Jaz presses. “I’m thinking something really bougie. Elaborate charcuterie boards, a full buffet, a lavish dessert bar.”

“I love that idea,” Mia agrees before turning to Sloan. “What are you wearing for the wedding?”

Sloan looks at me. “I guess the gown from my gala. It’s what I wore in Vegas.”

Jaz leans over to Mia and whispers something, and Mia nods.

“What are you two talking about?” Sloan asks.

---