And just like that, Frankie knew it was the one.
“Oh my god.” Eyes filling with fresh tears, but happy ones this time, Lottie lifted trembling fingers to her lips. “I look…”
“You look like a bride, Lottie-baby.”
Lace covered Lottie’s arms down to a point on her hands, and continued down over the sheath of the dress itself which hugged her curves before flaring out at the hips to pool around her. It was romantic and classic with just a hint of sexy.
It was so perfectly Lottie.
“I’m getting married, Frankie.” Reaching for Frankie’s hand, Lottie squeezed so hard Frankie nearly winced. “I’m getting married to the best man in the world. And I’m going to wear this dress when I do it.”
“Hell yeah, you are. Come on, let’s go show the others.”
Chapter32
Holden
“Have you heard from the girls yet?”
Looking up from the stack of papers on his desk, Braden raised a brow. “Lottie texted ten minutes ago to say they were on their way to the club. Which you know, because I told you that ten minutes ago.”
“Right. Right.” Hands shoved in his pockets, Holden paced Braden’s office at Club BDE. “I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous.”
“Me neither. It’s not like you’ve never done a scene with her before.”
“Not like this.”
Rising from his seat, Braden rounded the desk, stepping in Holden’s way and bringing his pacing to a stop. “Do you need me to tell you it’s a good scene and that I think you’re doing the right thing by finally getting off your ass and making her see reason instead of waiting around for her to suddenly realize she’s in love with you?”
“Yeah, actually. That would help a lot.”
Gripping Holden’s shoulders, Braden gave them a hard squeeze. “It’s a good scene. You’re a good man and a good Daddy. Everything is going to be fine.”
Surprisingly, the pep talk did help to ease his nerves, though not as much as he would have liked leading up to a scene as important as this one. “Thanks.”
“Any time. Anything else I can do since I’m apparently not going to get any work done tonight?”
Asshole. But he was an asshole taking time out of his day to help Holden win his girl back once and for all, so he let the jab pass. And there was something Braden could potentially help him with. “What do you know about Frankie’s parents?”
The twist of Braden’s mouth, as if he’d just tasted something particularly foul, told him everything he needed to know before Braden even said a word. “They’re the worst kind of rich people. Selfish, full of themselves, always putting their public appearance and their reputation above everything else. Including their own daughter.”
“That’s the vibe I got from Frankie. Part of me feels like she’d be better off without them.”
“Honestly? She might be. But that has to be her call to make.”
“I know.” And as much as that protective Daddy side of him wanted to step in, to put his foot down and forbid her from ever talking to them again, he knew he couldn’t.
And damn if that didn’t kill him inside.
Braden’s phone buzzed on his desk and he turned to retrieve it. “Five-minute warning. You should head down to the pit and set everything up. I’ll make sure Frankie gets to you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help with this.”
“My pleasure, friend. Go get your girl.”
Frankie
From the passenger seat,Lottie sighed before turning and flashing Frankie an apologetic smile. “Daddy wants me to come by the club. Do you mind if we make a little detour?”