Page 22 of Endless Love: Novella

Guests gasped when the twins came into view with Magnus between them. I couldn’t draw enough air into my lungs to gasp. Aria literally took my breath away in a lace dress that hugged her body from the strapless neckline to the short train behind it. For the sake of a more classic look—her words—she had dyed her hair to a shade close to its natural brown. It was pulled back, showing off the dangling diamond earrings I’d bought her as a wedding gift. They didn’t sparkle half the way her smile did, even underneath a veil.

Valentina had gone with a different look, in a full-skirted dress sewn with pearls and crystals that sparkled whenever she moved. “Oh my God,” Evan whispered, sounding like somebody had kicked him in the stomach. I understood the feeling. My entire future was coming toward me, looking like an angel.

I stepped up to the platform’s edge a few feet from where Evan waited. Magnus came to a stop with the girls in front of us, turning to them and exchanging a few words, then taking a step backward. For a second, his face contorted like he was fighting back tears, but he managed to make it through while we led the girls up onto the platform and stopped in front of the officiant.

“You are exquisite,” I whispered to Aria after she’d handed her bouquet to Rose. “You look like a dream.”

Taking my hands in hers, her blue eyes sparkling with tears, she replied, “I think I’m the one who’s dreaming.”

“A happy dream, I hope?”

Her radiant smile floored me. “The happiest I ever had.”

10

MILES

“Ican’t believe how beautiful it all is.” My bride gaped at the decorations under the tent where we would soon eat dinner. The tent beside it was designated for dancing, and both were as crammed with flowers and flickering lanterns as the rest of the grounds. “It’s magical.”

Valentina bounced Isabel on her hip, pointing out the flowers, admiring how the candlelight made the crystal on every table sparkle. “Isn’t it pretty, sweetie?”

“I have to admit.” Evan gave a nod of approval. “I’m sorry I was such a pain in the ass when it came to making decisions about this stuff. I thought it didn’t really matter much either way. Now I see I was wrong.”

“Hold on, everybody.” Valentina staggered slightly, fanning herself. “Stop the presses. Evan Anderson admitted he was wrong about something.”

“This is what I get for being sincere.” He shrugged at me. “I’m glad you’re here to witness this. I did try.”

We had spent the better part of cocktail hour having photos taken, and soon, guests would start wandering in here. I was glad to have a few minutes to ourselves, so I could watch Aria’sjoy play out across her face, to see the candlelight reflected in her eyes. Time was ticking, however.

“I have to go up and get changed into my reception dress,” she announced.

That was news to me. “Reception dress?” Now that I took a closer look at Valentina, it occurred to me she had already changed into a simpler but no less stunning version of the dress she’d worn during the ceremony. “Since when?”

“Since there was no way I was going to be able to sit down and eat a bite in this.” Aria ran her hands down her sides, laughing. “Those seamstresses took their job seriously. I don’t even know if I could take a sip of water.”

“Hurry up and get changed,” Valentina urged. “We have to make our big entrance together.”

“Why do I feel like we are only accessories in all of this?” I asked Evan, who was still laughing as Aria pulled me from inside the tent. We were like a couple of delinquents sneaking out of school, rushing up to the house before anyone could catch us and demand a few minutes of our time.

“I can’t believe the ceremony is over,” she admitted as soon as we were in the kitchen, ducking our way past rushing servers running around with trays. It was a relief to make it to the hall, which was considerably less hectic.

“It passed by in a blink, didn’t it?” I asked on our way to the foyer.

“It doesn’t seem fair for something that took all this planning to pass so quickly.” She picked up her train and started up the stairs. “I want to stop time. I want to hold onto this as long as I can.”

I understood what she meant. I wished I could capture her this way, to freeze her in place in this moment of joy. “All you can do is enjoy it,” I reasoned as we reached our room, where Ilocked the door behind us just in case anyone decided to come looking.

A much simpler white dress hung on the back of the closet door. Aria took it from the hanger and draped it over the back of an armchair while carefully removing her veil and setting it down. She then turned her back on me. “Help me with this? There’s, like, a hundred buttons.”

“My first task as a husband. I’m honored.” We laughed as I began my way down the seemingly endless row of satin-covered buttons. “Holy hell. How long did it take to get this buttoned up?”

“It felt like an eternity.”

I touched my lips to her back, noticing the way she shivered. “You have never been so radiant,” I whispered, slowly easing the dress away from her body, kissing the skin I exposed until the heavy lace-covered satin puddled around her ankles, and she was in nothing but a white strapless bra and a thong. Hunger announced itself deep in my core and started to unfurl, spreading to my dick and thickening it at once.

She turned slowly, took my face between her hands, and planted a slow, lingering kiss against my mouth. “You know what I just realized?” she whispered, trailing her fingers down my cheek. “Our marriage isn’t official yet.”

And this was why we were meant for each other since I was thinking along similar lines. “That’s a good point,” I murmured, pretending to be a lot more solemn than I felt while my dick hardened.

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