Page 82 of Lost Lyrics

Chapter 21

SUTTON

Nerves and excitement flurried in my stomach as we made our way to Malibu in our black stretch limousine. No amount of calm breathing settled them. This was it. My wedding. Steven, my brother, sat beside me, handsome as ever in his black suit. The girls sat opposite us with their pale pink bouquets in hand. My gorgeous skirt filled the space between us like a big white fluffy cloud.

As we approached the mansion, the traffic bordered on chaos, but our police and security escort kept everyone moving. Vehicles occupied every parking space along the road. Paparazzi lined the sidewalk. Cameras flashed as we passed through the secure gates into Andy’s place.

It was no secret Flint and I were getting married today. Our wedding had been the headline buzz on celebrity news for weeks. Just the whereabouts had been kept private. We’d only texted our guests yesterday with the address. But clearly that information had leaked.

Flint and I had spent many days of our lives in the public eye, but this wouldn’t be one of them. The world could wait to see what we wore and who’d attended. Our guest list rivaled an entertainment industry awards show. The paparazzi would nodoubt capture some celebrities coming and going. So be it. I’d originally wanted hundreds of people to attend and an exclusive magazine deal, but that had changed as our plans had unfolded. All we wanted was our closest friends, special colleagues, and family present to share our special day...all one hundred and seventy of them.

As the limousine drove toward the house, Ally, the videographer, braved and battled the elements on the driveway to capture our approach. Our chauffeur drew to a halt underneath the awning outside the front door. A temporary black barricade had been erected on the windy side, no doubt to help protect us. Quill had thought of everything. But in this crazy weather, I wasn’t sure anything would work.

I closed my eyes and placed my hand on my pounding chest. I took a deep breath, struggling to draw in full lungs of air thanks to my fitted bodice. I’d be fine once I stood.

Maddy reached forward and clutched my hand. “You okay? Are you gonna be sick? Pass out?”

“No.” I shook my head and smiled. “I’m excited. I’m resisting the urge to run in there, grab Flint, say‘I do’and get this over and done with. I’m trying to take things slow and savor every moment.”

“Good. But we might have to hurry inside to get out of this rain and wind.” Maddy pointed out the window. Every shrub and tree were being whipped about. Our security team’s jackets flapped in the gale, and their hair was a tussled mess.

Ava smirked. “At least the weather might keep the paparazzi in helicopters away...just not the ones standing on top of their vans outside the fence.” She waved to two people standing on top of their vehicles with long range lens aimed our way. Good luck to them.

Quill and two of his team, dressed from head to toe in fine black suits withEQuill Eventsembroidery in gold on thebreast pocket, rushed out of the front door. Marlo, our wedding photographer, and Ally followed with their cameras in hand.

With his headset draped over one ear, Quill opened the car door and ducked his head in to talk to us. “Hi, everyone. Perfect timing.” Yes, we were ten minutes early, as planned...for hair and makeup touchups and a few photos before entering the tent. “Happy wedding day, Sutton. And oh. My. Gosh.” He exaggerated every word, scanning everyone in the car. “You. All. Look. Am-a-zing. Is everyone ready?”

“Yes.” My palm sweated around the stem of my bouquet, but I was set.

“Excellent.” Quill leaned against the door to stop it from blowing shut. He talked loudly over the howling wind. “We’re going to take you in, one at a time, into the office on the left. Liliana and Prue are there, ready for any touchups.” He waved over his shoulder. “Marlo and Ally will capture every moment, and my boys behind me are going to help shield you from the wind. It’s wild out here. But once you’re inside, you won’t care about the weather. The place looks magical, if I dare say so myself.”

“Thank you.” My breath skipped and danced against my ribs. “Let’s get this party started.” I wanted to get married. No delays.

“Absolutely.” Quill rolled his hand toward my girls. “Bridesmaids first. Let’s go.”

One by one, the girls hopped out of the car and were attacked by blasts of wind. In their best efforts to shield them, Quill’s team guided them inside. The girls’ dresses flapped and flicked against their legs. They held their bouquets close to their chest to protect them from the gusts. Their updos didn’t budge thanks to bucket-loads of gel and hairspray.

My turn.

Steven hopped out of the car, seeming undeterred by thewild weather hammering us from every direction. He took my bouquet in one hand and held out his other one for me to take. Quill came in beside me. We took handfuls of my huge skirt and held it up to avoid the dirty, wet ground.

I stepped out of the car. The wind whipped against my face, blasting me from every angle and blowing my veil out to one side. My loose curls slapped my cheeks. This was crazy. Certainly memorable. I laughed and hollered over the wind. “I’m good. Let’s get inside.”

We dashed through the front door. In the center of the vast foyer, I let my skirt fall to the floor, as did Quill. It floated into place and cascaded behind me. The rhinestones in the center of each chiffon rose glistened in the soft light. I truly felt like a bride.

Quill fluffed out the bottom of my train. “Sutton. This dress is stunning.”

“Thank you.” I smoothed my hands over my bodice, loving the feel of the gorgeous beading beneath my fingertips.

“Sutt, you’re exquisite, but you need to fix your hair.” Steven waved toward the office. “Go. I’ll wait here with these.” He smelled my bouquet and scrunched his nose. The roses did have an overpowering, strong perfume, but they were gorgeous and perfect.

“Thank you.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug.

I loved my brother giving me away. We’d grown closer now our father was out of our lives.

But just as I was about to join the girls, Liliana rushed out of the office with her makeup apron around her waist and a portable flat-iron in hand.

As she redid my loose curls and coated my hair in another cloud of hairspray, Chloe and Duke arrived with Winter. They were babysitting while Lewis and Tia performed bridal party duties. Tia gave Winter a quick kiss on her forehead before theywheeled her stroller through the house to join the guests.

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