Page 141 of When We Burn

“Aw, look who’s drunk on love,” Millie says with a wink and then kisses my cheek. “You’re the one who’s gorgeous. This dress is justwow.”

“Charlie found it.” I turn to the mirror and grin. When I told Charlie what I wanted, my sister went on a hunt, and this was shipped to us from Alabama. Thankfully, it only needed minor alterations.

I wanted lace, and a lot of it. The bodice is form-fitting, showing off my cleavage, and the skirt smooths over my hips and then flares at my knees.

Charlie calls it amermaidstyle, and the description fits.

My hair is up, and I said no to a veil. I want to see my man clearly as I make my way down the aisle to him. Instead, I have a pretty clip in my hair with crystals that sparkle in the light.

“Birdie, it’s time for you to get dressed, baby,” Bee says.

We were holding off on putting Birdie in her gorgeous white dress until the last minute because she’s been scarfing down gluten-free chocolate cookies, thanks to Jackie Harmon.

Blake tested Birdie for celiac disease, and sure enough, she has it. It’s been an adjustment in our kitchen at home and what we cook, as well as what we get for her when we go out, but this is something we can manage, and my baby girl is already feeling better.

There’s a knock on the door, and Millie answers it, smiling when she sees her man. “Well, hello, husband. You look delicious.”

Holden smirks as he walks in, dips his wife back to kiss her, and then scans the room for me.

And when he finds me, his blue eyes, so much like mine, soften.

“There’s my girl.”

“Hey.” I do a little twirl and then laugh when Holden walks to me and kisses my cheek. “Don’t make me cry. It took an hour to get my face like this.”

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers, just for me. Holden has been my safe place since I was a baby. He was our motherandour father. Our protector. Our fierce warrior.

And he’s never once let us down.

Suddenly, I realize that everyone is leaving the room, even Birdie.

“Ten minutes until you walk down the aisle,” Charlie says with a wink, and then the door closes, and I’m alone with my brother.

“Thanks for walking me down the aisle. I know how much you love being the center of attention.”

Holden laughs at that and then shrugs. “I’d do just about anything for you. You know that.”

“Yeah. I know.” I swallow hard, willing the tears to stay away. “You know, I don’t think that any of us has ever really thanked you for stepping up the way you did.”

“And you never will because you’re mine, and protecting every one of you is what I was born to do.”

Okay, maybe just one tear. My brother reaches up to catch it on his finger, then brushes his knuckles over my cheek.

“After all of the shit we went through as kids, you deserve this happiness, Dani. I see how you are with Bridger and Birdie, and it’s damn satisfying to know that you’re thriving. That you’re loved, and you love them, too.”

“More than anything.”

He nods and pulls something out of his pocket. It’s asmall box, with a red ribbon on the top. “Bridger sent me in here with this for you. A wedding day gift.”

Accepting the box, I push open the lid and then sigh.

“Wow,” I murmur, touching the diamond pendant with the tip of my finger. “He already gave me an incredible engagement ring. He didn’t have to do this.”

“He likes to spoil you, as he should. Want me to fasten it for you?”

“Yes, please.” Holden picks up the necklace, and I turn and lift my hair out of the way for him. Once the clasp is fastened, I turn and look in the mirror. “I love things that sparkle.”

My brother laughs at that. “Most women do, honey. Are you ready?”

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