Page 85 of Unravel You

Annie promptly placed it around my neck, and clasped it. I sucked in a breath when the string of platinum and diamonds fell cold down my back.

“It’s a Winston. It belonged to my late mother-in-law. It goes with your engagement ring.” She tapped the single pendant, a heavy canary diamond. It matched the emerald cut on my wedding finger.

“It’s gorgeous.”

“So are you, dear.” She smoothed out my hair. “I hope one day you can forget the horrid things I said to you before.”

“I already have.” I waved my hand in dismissal.

Lilly had literally gotten caught in Derek’s and my inability to communicate with each other. To say without fear what we really wanted.

Annie sighed. “There’s only one thing left. The dress. Let me text your mom. She wanted to be here for that.”

Just as Nikki had said, six hours wasn’t nearly enough to get ready. Mom helped me into my wedding dress, a backless number in ivory silk. The minute she fastened me in, Nikki rushed in to whisk me away into a swirl of photo flashes, friendly smiles, hugs, and congratulations. Before I knew it, I was at the top of the stone steps, looking down at Dad’s teary eyes waiting for me.

The cottage Derek let me rent at the beginning of the summer stood under a bright sunray at the edge of his property. I smiled down at the bouquet of orchids in my hands as the string quartet played the first note to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”

I counted to ten, then climbed down the steps. Dad, the tough retired cop, shed tears when I hugged him. I kept it together until I wrapped my arm around his elbow and turned toward the altar Nikki had custom made for us. Derek let out a breath and effectively sucked all the air out of my lungs.

He had no right to look so freaking hot in his tuxedo. His blue gaze stayed on mine as Dad ushered me down a carpet of gardenia petals.

“If you feel like you need to make a quick getaway, I have a cop car waiting outside.” He beamed at the guests on either side of the aisle. Some of the faces I recognized from the engagement party in Atlanta.

“I’m good, Dad. Thanks,” I said in a shaky voice.

The need to run away from Derek had left me a long time ago. He was worth facing every risk, every fear, every dark city square.

Ahead of us, Max casually threw petals on either side of the aisle, just as Nikki had shown him. He’d volunteered to be both flower boy and ring bearer. As soon as he reached the front pew, he set down his little basket and stood solemnly, clutching a black velvet box in both hands, next to Derek. What did I ever do to deserve a husband like Derek and a son like Max?

Dad kissed my cheek and placed my trembling hand in Derek’s. His firm grip on me made me stand a little taller, and reassured me he would never let me fall. “You’re by far the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“You too.” I let out a giggle. “I mean. You know.”

“I know.” He flashed me that smile of his, all perfect white teeth and serene eyes.

Garlands of flowers hung from every tree around us, such an odd scene set against the barren landscape that surrounded Derek’s house. Our house. Our not-so-small oasis in the middle of the expanse of the Sonoran Desert.

“Dearly beloved.” The officiant started the usual ceremony, but there was nothing usual or common about joining my life to someone like Derek Cole. “Love is patient, love is kind…”

We turned to face each other. A tear streamed down my cheek. Before it fell on my dress, he gently dabbed it away with the pad of his thumb. His gaze settled on the pendant on my chest, and he beamed. He’d wanted his mom and me to make friends. It’d taken a bit, but eventually Lilly had come to see how much I loved her son. The necklace had been a peace offering on her part.

A jolt of adrenaline rushed through me when I slid the ring on his finger. He puffed out air in relief, as if he didn’t think I’d make it this far. This beautiful man wanted me as much as I wanted him. I would have gone to the ends of the earth and back for him.

“Hurry up and kiss me before something else goes wrong.” Derek cradled my cheek when the officiant declared us husband and wife. His kiss muffled the guests’ laughter and clapping. His lips brushed mine before he deepened the kiss, making my blood rush through me in a swirl of heat and desire. “I was sure you’d run off at the last minute.”

“It never crossed my mind.” I pressed my hand to his chest.

“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Cole,” the officiant said as we faced four hundred of our close friends and family.

“I like the sound of that.” Derek placed his arm around my waist and walked me up the aisle and back inside the house.

“Okay, we’re on a tight schedule, and the bride needs to get ready for your first dance.” Nikki grabbed my hand. Behind me, Derek stood with his hands in his pockets. I mouthed anI’m sorryand let her pull me to the living room, which had been transformed into the cake-cutting area. The white wedding cake turned out a bit bigger than Nikki had said.

“What do you think? Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It is. Thank you.”

“You deserve it. Now go freshen up. You have mascara on your cheek. Don’t give me that look. After the toast, you’ll have time to dance and mingle a bit, but then you’ll have to change so you guys can get started on that honeymoon.” She nudged her elbow in my side.

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