Page 1 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

1

Christa

“Holy hell, Christa, you could start a war or end one with that look!”

I freeze for a moment, caught off guard by my best friend’s enthusiasm. “Me?!? You, my love, are a goddess,” my eyes sweeping over her in stunned admiration.

And it’s true—Teagan isn’t just beautiful. She’s stunning. The kind of breathtaking bride that makes you forget how to breathe.

“Thank you, I clean up nice, don’t I?” She giggles like a little girl, twirling slightly so the skirt of her dress flares out.

I laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t just clean up nice, Tee. You look like you stepped out of a fairy tale.”

She beams, then gestures for me to come closer. “Help me with this eyelash, will you? I think it’s coming loose.”

I step in, carefully fixing the stray lash, and then we stand side by side in front of the floor-length mirror.

I tug subtly at the side of my emerald dress, feeling the fabric strain slightly against my hips. I sent my measurements to thedress shop months ago, but I must have gained a little weight since then. The dress still fits, but it’s snugger than I remember.

Teagan towers over me in her heels, her silhouette long and lean, while I’m all curves and soft edges. I’ve always admired her statuesque beauty, the way she carries herself like she was born to command a room.

Yet, she’s never once made me feel like I was anything less than. If anything, Teagan has always been my fiercest champion, the one who lifts me up when I doubt myself and reminds me to embrace every part of who I am.

“Baby girl, you look stunning in green,” she says, her reflection smiling at me. “Your parents would’ve loved this.”

My throat tightens at the mention of my parents, but I manage a soft, “Thank you.”

Teagan reaches over to gently fluff one of my cascading blonde curls.

“They’d be so proud—not just of how you look today, but of the incredible woman you’ve become.”

Her words hit me like a warm embrace, and for a moment, the ache in my chest softens. I blink back tears, grateful for her unwavering kindness. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I whisper, my voice trembling. Anthony is the luckiest man on earth.”

“Anthony agrees,” she replies with a broad smile, then pauses to give me another long look. “I can’t believe you’re back. For good, right?”

I nod slowly. “I think so, yeah.”

“Great! We’ve got oodles of catching up to do, but in the meantime, let me get my bouquet, and I’ll meet you downstairs. The ceremony’s about to begin.”

Teagan doesn’t know much about my life in Los Angeles—only the surface skim, the polished highlights I’ve carefully curated.

I refuse to ruin this time of her life. Not with my truths.

I’ll keep the shadows hidden where they belong.

I plant a kiss on her warm cheek and leave the room.

Voices murmur across the ground floor. Family. Guests. So many guests. Teagan was never a fan of big crowds, and I know this whole thing makes her nervous as hell, but Teagan is a Hawthorne - and that comes with prestige. And expectations.

I catch another glimpse of myself in the mirror at the base of the stairs. The emerald dress flatters my curves, and for a moment, I feel a flicker of pride. I’ve always been curvy, something I used to hate, wishing I could be taller, slimmer. But now? I love my body—strong, soft, and unapologetically mine.

Still, I can’t ignore the way the dress feels tighter than it should, the fabric pulling slightly at the seams. I make a mental note to move carefully—the last thing I need is an expected surprise.

“There she is.” River’s voice startles me, low and smooth, like a secret whispered in the dark.

I whirl around, my heart skipping a beat, and accidentally bump into him. His hands shoot out to steady me, catching me before I can fall backward. But in the process, we both drop our things—my clutch, still open, spills its contents onto the floor.

My room key for the pavilion suite.

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