Page 48 of Connected By Stars
“I still don’t understand why I have to be separated from my finance tonight. Isn’t that an outdated tradition?” Noah frowns into his coffee.
“One night away isn’t going to kill you. Plus, it’s more exciting when you don’t see Emma until she walks down the aisle.” Sophia says with a mouthful of muffin.
“Well, if you’re going to kidnap my girl for the night, don’t be surprised if you can’t find her after dinner. I’m stealing her for a bit before you take her.” Emma giggles, and Noah grins at her before bringing her close for a kiss.
“I see the honeymoon has already started.” Maverick laughs and walks in as Noah and Emma break away. He looks so good today in faded jeans and a white t-shirt. He has a ball cap on, and his golden streaks are peeking out underneath.
I roam my eyes over his body and find his as they stare at me in amusement. He knows exactly how he’s making me feel, and he loves it. He winks at me quickly before walking over to the table. His smell invades my senses as he reaches over me to get a muffin. “Good morning,” he says softly.
“Good morning. I take it you slept well.”
“I did. I had the best sex dream of my life. That’s why I was late. I had to take care of business in the shower this morning.”
I cough, choking on my coffee that I was sipping.
He laughs and starts patting me on the back. “You okay, Bell?”
“Yeah, it just went down the wrong way.” Sophia hands me a glass of juice. “Thanks,” I cough, taking a sip of orange juice.
“Hey, Dad.” Maverick walks over to his dad, who just walked in from the backyard, and gives him a hug. While Maverick looks like his mom with darker blonde hair and green eyes, Sophia resembles her dad. He’s tall like Maverick but has midnight dark hair, and with his intense green eyes, they mirror each other. Sophia and I used to get teased all the time about how our dads were DILFS. I’m sure Maverick and Noah got the same from our moms.
“Hi, Mav.” His dad hugs him back. “Did you just get here?”
“Yeah, just walked in. Need any help out there?”
“The tables and chairs just arrived, and they’re setting them up now. I’ll need help hanging lights in a bit, though. Momshould be in a minute with Sage and Jax. We want to get something to eat before we start the decorations.” He walks to the table and starts to make a plate.
“Sounds good.” Maverick sits next to me and takes a bite out of his muffin.
“How’s work going, Bella?” Matt sits down across from me and pours some orange juice. “I love what you’ve been posting on social media lately. It looks like you two have found your groove in bringing in more business. I should have hired you years ago,” he says, laughing.
“Thanks. I’m just glad I can help. I love seeing the business grow. I know it means a lot to you and Maverick. He’s been doing a great job finding new inventory from local businesses in Florida. The customers are loving the new boards.” I glance at Maverick and see his dimples appear as he grins at me. I take another sip of orange juice, feeling my mouth go dry.
“I came in last week and saw those. I want to get one myself,” Matt says, laughing. “I’m proud of him. I know how hard he’s been working. I love that he loves the shop as much as I do. You guys make a great team.” He looks at us and smiles.
“Yes, we do.” Mav winks at me, and I grin back at him as Matt starts talking to Sophia about her work. I feel Mav’s hand find mine under the table, and he squeezes it before letting go and finishing his breakfast. I manage to sit through the rest of breakfast, but my thoughts are far away from what is being said at the table. Thoughts of Maverick in the shower consume me as images of him sliding his hand up and down his hard length keep appearing in my mind. I need to find out what his dream was about, and I want him to show me exactly what he saw.
Chapter Twenty
Maverick
“So after thegroom’s parents sit down, there will be a change in music, and that will be your cue, Noah, to walk in from the side here.” Claire, the wedding coordinator at the hotel, looks at us, making sure we’re paying attention. “After Noah will go Maverick, then James, and then Cole. Make sure to stand slightly apart and at an angle. You want to line up with the bridesmaid you are assigned to. Maverick, make sure you have the rings on you. I can’t tell how many best men forget them or can’t get them out of their pockets, so make sure they are easily ready to get.”
“Will do,” I grin.
“Okay, let’s start the music and give this a try. During the ceremony, there will be a live guitarist, but for now, we’re just going to play it through the speakers.”
The music starts, and Noah’s mom walks down the aisle before taking her seat in the front row. Noah starts walking across the dark plank wooden floor to the wedding altar.
This hotel did an amazing job on its restoration. The ceilings are high with wooden beams, and the walls are covered in floor-to-ceiling windows, giving a beautiful view ofthe ocean outside. The white walls and all the wooden features give it an elegant but rustic look. Fairy lights hang from beam to beam, adding to the romantic feel. This place will be breathtaking tomorrow, filled with white and pink lilies.
I follow Noah, and we all line up as the bridesmaids begin their walk.
Sophia comes down the aisle first, and I grin and wink at my sister as she takes her spot across from Cole. I glance back down the aisle, and my breath catches as Bell walks down. She looks stunning in a light blue dress that makes her eyes look like the ocean. It has a slit up the side, showing off her gorgeous leg. She has her hair in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. I meet her eyes before she turns and stands next to Sophia.
I tear my gaze away and focus on Skye walking down the aisle, followed by Luna and the flower girl and ring bearer. I hear Noah take a deep breath as Emma comes down last, walking with Noah’s dad. I put a hand on his shoulder and squeeze it, letting him know I’m here for him. Noah and Emma have been through a lot, and I know how much it means to him to be standing here with her. Emma has tears in her eyes as Jax whispers something in her ear before handing her to Noah. Without her parents here, I know this will be a bittersweet day for her.
“Emma, once you stand with Noah, you’ll turn and give Skye your bouquet. She’ll hold it for you until you walk down the aisle with Noah at the end. Now, Mimi is going to take over from here.” I love that Mimi is ordained and going to do the service. I can’t think of a better person to bring them together in marriage. I know it means a lot to both of them to have her marry them.
