Page 46 of Mic Drop

I haven’t told anyone about this development—not Ma, not Court—due to the possible PR fallout. But being able to share my secret with someone feels so right. “You can be my matron of honor.”

Her palm flies in front of her face. “Me? Don’t you have people you’re closer to?”

“None of them are my sister.” Yes. This is the right choice.

“I would be very honored.” She tosses some clothes from the bed to the floor and pats the newly empty spot next to her. “If you’re getting married tomorrow, what do you need? Do you have a dress? Flowers? Someone to marry you?”

“I picked up a white dress off the rack at a nice boutique a couple of towns over. As for flowers, Bennett has an ‘in’ with the onehe’s been using, so we’re all set there.” We both smile. “He’s working on connections to get us a minister.”

“Music?”

Her last question elicits a chuckle. “My groom has an ‘in’ with the biggest band on the planet, so I think we got that one covered.”

Her head shakes. “I can’t believe my brother-in-law is going to be Bennett Hardy.You’regoing to be Jenna Hardy!”

“Shhh,” I remind her. “We don’t want to wake Ma.”

“What do you think she’ll say?”

“Well, she did give him permission to marry me.” I swoon inside. He asked. She agreed. He suggested we get the license so Ma can attend our ceremony. If only she would be around to see our ten-year anniversary. Hell, I’d be happy with our first.

“You’re living a fairytale.”

“Complete with the paparazzi calling me Black Widow, a crazy ex of his from high school claiming he’s the father of the baby she lost, and a potential media storm about to be set ablaze.”

“Aside from all that, it’ll be a normal wedding, huh?” She giggles, which sets me off. Who knew Kara could be so funny?

A tenor voice sails through the air. “Can anyone join in this gigglefest?”

“Bennett!” I spring to my feet and leap into his strong arms. “You got here early!” Our mouths fuse as if it’s been months rather than days since we last saw each other.

I break away from my fiancé’s delicious lips. Getting lost in his green orbs, I ask, “Did you get it?”

“I did.” He kisses me again.

My heart beats faster and I squirm away from him. When my feet land on the floor, I announce, “We’re getting married tomorrow!”

“That we are,” Bennett agrees.

“It’s going to be the best celebration ever,” Kara vows, tugging my arm away from my gorgeous groom. “But with this deadline, I think we have some things to handle.”

My brows pull together, as do Bennett’s. “I got everything covered.”

“Music and an officiant do not a wedding make, my dear soon-to-be brother-in-law. Why don’t you enjoy some Chicago-style pizza from the fridge while I monopolize my sister for an hour. That’s all I’ll need.” Taking in the air swirling with desire, she adds, “I swear.” Then she shoos him out of the bedroom.

Retaking our seats to the soundtrack of puttering in the kitchen, Kara says, “I know you got this under control, disaster in this bedroom notwithstanding. Let’s run through a quick checklist, and I’ll take care of whatever you haven’t done.” She whips out her phone, clicks on a wedding app, and we go through each item. “Great. I’ve got my list. The only one on yours is for you and Bennett to tell Ma.”

She kisses my cheek and leaves, exchanging happy compliments with my fiancé before the front door closes. She’s right. As much as I want to surprise Ma with this news, I don’t want to overtax her. As I enter the kitchen, Bennett’s inhaled half of the remaining pizza, his cheek now sporting a tomato sauce streak.

I sit in his lap and lick it clean.

Which ends with us kissing like teenagers.

Reality finally makes me break apart from him. “Kara said we should tell Ma. I agree. Don’t want to shock her system or anything.”

He steals another kiss. “Who do you think recommended our officiant?”

Chapter 13

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