Page 53 of Taming Hawke

Luisa

The sun is shining as I look out the window of Jasmine’s childhood home, watching all the guests arrive. Today is Jasmine and Quill’s wedding, and I’m nervous. I don’t know why, it’s not as If I’m the bride, but Jasmine is my best friend and I know how much this day means to her.

The garden has been decked out with rows of chairs, roses pinned at the end of each row. Petals are scattered along the length of the aisle, all the way to the white silk wedding marquee, vines of flowers surrounding it. I watch as Quill, Hawke, Blaze, and Gunner make their way to their positions. Quill looks nervous, but my eyes are locked on Hawke. He looks so goddamn yummy with his hair down and combed back, and he’s wearing a black suit with tails, and a silver bowtie. I swallow hard at the image he’s presenting, and for one brief moment I allow myself to picture us as the bride and groom getting married. I only hope that one day it will be. I love Hawke, and I want him in my future. I can’t imagine not having him in my life.

“Earth to Luisa.”

I move my gaze to Tess, who’s walked up beside me. “Wow, they scrub up well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Blaze in a suit before.”

I giggle. “Never?”

“Never,” she repeats shaking her head.

“Do you think you and Blaze will ever get married?” I ask, giving her my full attention, curious to hear what her response is.

She sighs. “He’s asked me, but I said I wanted to wait. One day we will, but for now I’m happy being his old lady.”

I gasp. “You mean he asked you to marry him, and you said no?”

“That about sums it up.”

I’m shocked, completely shocked. “But why?”

“That, Luisa, needs time, and lots of alcohol,” she explains, smiling and peeking out the window again.

Tess looks beautiful. Her bronze skin against the silver silk gown she’s wearing makes a stunning contrast, enhancing her beauty. Her hair is quite short, but the hairstylist was able to pop it up in a stylish bun, highlighting her cheekbones. Her blue eyes pop, lined with black, and her lips look full with the pink gloss she’s chosen. She’s stunning.

“I’ll hold you to that,” I say, walking past Tess to go see if Jasmine is ready. I make a mental note to one day have that drink with Tess.

“You look gorgeous, Jazz.”

Jasmine looks over to me with tears in her eyes. She’s just been hugging her dad, and he said how proud he is of her.

“Here, dry your eyes. You’re going to ruin your makeup if you keep crying like that,” I say holding out a tissue to her. “You look gorgeous, Jasmine.” I’m struggling to contain my own tears on the verge of falling.

“Don’t you dare cry, Lu. If you cry, then I’ll cry again, and then we’ll both have to fix our makeup.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, my chin quivering.

“Get it together, Lu,” Jasmine teases and we both dab gently at our eyes.

“I love you like my own sister,” I admit and bring her in for a hug.

Jasmine hugs me in return, then pulls back. “I love you too, Lu. You’ve always been here for me. We may not be related through blood, but to me you are my sister.” She leans in and kisses me on my left cheek. “Now, let’s do this,” she says, glancing at herself in the mirror one last time.

Her father, Jackson, holds his arm out to Jasmine, and he smiles down at her as she takes it. Her mother walks beside her, and I quickly lift Jasmine’s train off the floor, ensuring she doesn’t trip over it and fall.

Hailey and Tess meet us in the hallway off her parents’ bedroom, and they both look at Jasmine, their emotion over the moment clear on their faces. Jasmine stops just before she reaches them. “It’s happening, ladies. I’m getting married.”

Hailey and Tess both laugh, and kiss Jasmine on the cheek. “Yes, you are. And you make a gorgeous bride,” Tess adds.

“Thank you, Tess.”

Jasmine begins to walk down the stairs, and once we reach the bottom, me, Hailey, and Tess take our places behind one another at the back door that leads to the garden.

There is a hush from the crowd outside once the door opens, and nerves start pooling in the pit of my stomach. I wonder how Jasmine feels, if I’m a nervous wreck.

The song “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play, and that’s Hailey’s cue to walk down the aisle. She looks back at me. “Here goes nothing.”

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