Page 194 of The Broken Note

“This isn’t your life. We’re just borrowing this place.”

She slowly turns to face me. “I don’t get it. You’re so calm.”

“I’m nervous.”

“No, I mean about meeting Bex Dane. And about marrying Jarod Cross’s son. We’re like… our family’s going to be royalty now.”

“Rock stars are just people,” I tell her.

“Yeah, super rich, super hot, super talented people. Let’s not act like any of this is something normal people get to do.” She gestures to the suite.

I hook my arm around hers. “Royalty or not, I wouldn’t have wanted to do this without you. Thank you for being here.”

“Of course.” Her eyes meet mine. Sparkling brown. Soft and innocent. “I’ll always be here for you, Cadey.”

My bottom lip trembles.

I feel strangely emotional.

Maybe it’s the nerves.

The enormity of what I’m about to do is finally settling on me.

I’m going to be a wife.

I’m going to beDutch Cross’swife.

The world still has so many obstacles in our way. It almost feels like we should wait to conquer them all before we take this step. But I’d rather face those obstacleswithhim, than alone.

And that’s a big freaking one-eighty from the way I’ve always been.

He’s changed me.

I think, in some ways, I’ve changed him too.

Music strikes up. It sounds like drums and a bass guitar. I’ve never heard such a beautiful resonance from an instrument that deep.

My eyes widen. “Is that live?”

“I think so,” Vi says.

“That must be our cue.” I shake out my sweaty hands, accept the bouquet from my sister, and take our first step.

“Are you happy, Cadey?” Vi asks.

Another step.

“I am.”

“I wish dad could have been here,” Vi whispers.

“He’s here.” I smile down at her.

She smiles back.

None of us mention our mother. Right now, I just want to focus on what I can. Mom is… she’s someone I don’t have to handle alone anymore.

And there’s comfort in that.

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