Page 82 of Hear Me Roar

“I didn’t think it was possible for her to be more beautiful, but I standcorrected.”

“Me? Look at you,” Hazel beamed, holding her at arm's length. “Knox and Mr. C are right. Blush pink makes youglow.”

“I have to admit, I do quite like the color myself.” Mom flushed as pink as her gown, her hand draped over the diamond encrusted heart pendant around herneck.

Dad took that moment to wrap Hazel in a hug, the two of them sharing a few words I couldn't make out. I suppose he was probably telling her to whack me straight if I acted up or to call him. The latter is what I worried about, especially when he leaned over and murmured in my ear, “Don't let this one go, son. She'sperfect.”

My chest puffed up with pride. Knowing my old man saw Hazel’s true beauty too was the stepping stone I'd been waiting for. I didn't even need to wait for Mom’s opinion; it was written so clearly all over her face as they chatted easily about some reno project her and dad just started in Costa Rica. Seeing them together in the same place at the same time wasit.

Shortly after introducing my folks to Manny and Maya, Karley’s maid of honor and long-time BFF, Heidi, came bustling down the steps to let us know the bride was ready. All that was missing was Mom’s final approval before she walked down the aisle. We followed Heidi inside and separated with Manny and Maya at the doors as they went to take their seats. This place was incredible, leaving me almost as awestruck as I'd been when I first saw Hazel in that blue dress. The ceilings were miles high, joining together at a peak in an intricate design with gold details. Thick, bone white columns and pointed arches separated the dark pews lining the marble aisle that ran down the middle of the cathedral to the altar. From this far back, I couldn't see the altar well, but it looked as grand as everything else. It’s no wonder Karley had dreamed of getting married here since she first visited New York back in her early years ofcollege.

“Hazel, your bouquet,” Heidi said suddenly, and when I turned my head, I sucked in a deepbreath.

The small bunch of flowers in her hand completed the look. She was all the more perfect, if that were even possible. I couldn’t stopstaring…

“What?” she asked as we settled ourselves into the processionline.

“Nothing, youjust…”

“I justwhat?”

“Nothing, I’m just gawking.” I played it off, holding out my arm to her as the flower girl started her way down the aisle. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” she said with a softsmile.

Then on Heidi’s mark, Hazel and I made our way down to the front of the church, and all the while, I thought my heart would burst out of my fuckingchest.

Ibroughtthe champagne glass to my lips and let the chilled pink bubbly slide down my throat as I relaxed into my seat at the reception and looked around the ornately decorated room. Diamonds were the primary theme Karley had gone with as a play on winter, the blue hues to all the accents tying in the perfection. Tall centerpieces were strategically placed on certain tables while the others were smaller in scale but no less grand. The little details spread around the room weren't cheesy or overdone in the slightest either and I think that overall, Karley had created the perfect winter wonderland in the classiest waypossible.

Now that the new Mr. and Mrs. had shared their first dance, and we’d all enjoyed a deliciously prepared dinner, everything was in full swing. “All Of Me”by John Legend wrapped around the intimate ambiance, leading some couples to the dance floor, while others sat with a drink, chatting the night away. Just a few feet away from where I sat were the happy bride and groom, who had finally taken their seats at their secluded table, enjoying their first of many meals as man and wife. They'd smile lovingly at each other, exchange a few words, steal a little kiss, and then pop another piece of the filet in their mouths. My heart melted just watching them, especially when Noah reached for Karley’s six-month belly and gave it a little kisstoo.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Knox chatting at the bar across the room with one of his uncles. I couldn’t even tell you what his name was, regardless of the fact I’d met him, because there was so much family here. Knox’s mom, Calista, had two sisters, and his dad, Chris, was one of six. Each of those siblings was marriedwithmultiple children, so you do the math. That’s a shit ton of family members, not including grandparents and their living siblings, to memorize after just three hours of meeting them. And don’t get me started on Noah’s family. His family was huge, too, hence why the guest list was over two-hundred and fifty people. Too big for my personal taste, but extravagant was Karley’s middlename.

Knox reappeared at my side then, proffering his hand with that dazzling smile spread across his handsome face. Placing my hand in his, I set my glass on the table and stood to my feet as his arm came around my waist, blue eyes gleaming against the soft bluish lighting of theroom.

“Where are we going?” I asked and his smilewidened.

“Todance.”

Just as the words left his mouth, a soft saxophone filtered in through the speakers with a familiar tune I recognized as “I’ll Be.”Leading us out onto the dance floor, he spun me around and laced our fingers together as I slipped one arm around his neck, our bodies melting together so easily. His head dipped low to place a sweet kiss at the curve of my neck and a second later we were moving, swaying in place with the slow music resounding around us. Edwin’s raspy lyrics were echoed by Knox’s deep, velvety voice singing softly in my ear, each note, whether in tune or not, leaving goosebumps in their wake. As if he hadn't teased me enough already with lingering kisses and soft caresses all through the evening, the man was now serenading me, and I swear I was ready to swoon at any given moment, smiling like a loon into hischest.

I really need to slow down on thealcohol.

“What are you giggling about?” he questioned, tilting my chin up with afinger.

“You,” I saidsimply.

“What? You don't like mysinging?”

“On the contrary, Mr. Carr. I think mixed in with all I've had to drink, it's making me verywarm.”

“How warm?” he hedged, tightening his arm around my waist, his hand splayed at the small of myback.

“Like I'm gonna need some fresh air real soon before I do something inappropriate and let you serenade your way into my dress righthere.”

A husky chuckle rumbled in his chest as he shook his head. “Behave.”

“Well, you certainly haven’t been behaving, so why shouldI?”

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