Page 68 of Breathtaking

Everly tugs at my train, straightening it. Judging the fit. “How does it feel?” she asks.

“It doesn’t matter how it feels,” Caitlin argues. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. If you’re uncomfortable, you’re going to have to suck it up.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Amelia moves next to me. “You do look beautiful, but you need to be comfortable.”

“I think the cut at her bust should be lower,” Caitlin offers, and Amelia glares.

“This wedding is taking place at the largest cathedral in Philadelphia,” Amelia scolds her daughter. “It’s being presided over by a bishop, Caitlin. Do not tart up your sister-in-law. She looks perfect.”

Caitlin and Everly both giggle, while Amelia shakes her head with a beautifully sarcastic smile that makes me more than a little envious of their relationship.

I never had that with my mother.

I turn to really look at myself in the enormous three-way mirror and run my hand over my belly... over my baby... loving that he’s on display. “Everly, this is perfection. Thank you.”

She beams with pride. “I never thought I’d be dressing a real-life princess. Now go let Caitlin help you out of it while I dig out a few other things I have for you.”

“What other things?” Caitlin asks as we step into the dressing room.

“I said for Lennon,” Everly calls back.

Very, very carefully, Caitlin helps me out of my wedding dress, then takes it away. She’s waiting with the others when I step back out. A rolling rack of dresses sits next to them, and a smile is stretching across Everly’s face. “I may have gone a little overboard.”

“What?” I ask, utterly confused.

“You needed some new clothes, so we threw a few things together. But we definitely need to hit up Le Désir after this. You need new bras, stat, Lennon,” Caitlin adds as she shakes her head.

“Where?” I ask.

Amelia links my arm through hers. “Time to do a little shopping, Lennon.”

* * *

Maddox

“Dude. You’re the one getting married. Why the hell do we have to wear this shit?” Lucky groans as the sales associate adjusts his silver tie.

“Because you have to look good, you fucking idiot. How else do you expect to bag a bridesmaid?” Rome argues while I hang back.

Callen’s chest shakes with silent laughter. “You want to tell them the only bridesmaids are their sister and Gracie, who’s married with enough kids to fill a hockey team, or should I?”

“Neither. Let them live in their delusions for a few more days. They’ll find out on Saturday.” I don’t bother telling him I don’t give a shit what they think.

I’m too worried about everything else.

The wedding.

The shitstorm that’s going to rain down after.

How to keep Lennon and the baby safe through it all.

“You doing okay, Madman? You’re quieter than normal, and that’s saying something, you broody asshole,” Callen asks as they hand him the garment bag with his tux inside.

“Yeah. I’ll just feel better once we get through the weekend.”

Callen doesn’t call me out on the lie. He could. He knows me well enough to know I’m full of shit. But he doesn’t.

“Hey. Isn’t that Mom and Cait and Lennon going into the lingerie shop?” Rome asks, and all our heads turn across the street, and sure enough, there’s my bride-to-be. “Damn, Madman. Maybe she’s getting something sexy for your wedding night.”

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