Page 50 of Connected By Stars
“You never know. Crazy things happen at weddings. I made sure Bell got her own room, too, even though she insisted that she and Logan were just friends. I bet those rooms will come in handy after a few drinks and love in the air from the wedding. I already know Logan likes her based on the size of the hickey he gave her. He was marking her,” she says, laughing.
Bell lets out a laugh, and I glance at her in amusement. “Hmmm. He doesn’t seem like the type that would play with fire like that. We all know Bell doesn’t like to be told what to do, let alone have someone get away with marking her. I’m surprised he had the balls to do it. He must have better game than I thought.”
“I know, right,” Sophia says, laughing. “I’m surprised shedidn’t kick him in the balls. That’s why I think she might secretly like him, and that’s why I made her get a room tomorrow.”
“Well, you can take him back to your room because he won’t be in mine,” Bell says, turning to look at Sophia.
“Unless there is a tall, dark, insanely hot guy that I don’t know about coming to the wedding, I’ll be sleeping in the bed next to Frankie all by myself. I promised Frankie a good time and a lot of booze. His partner said I could have him for the night while he enjoys a quiet evening binge-watching Netflix shows.”
Bell laughs and shakes her head. “Well, my room is yours if you need it. I can always sleep with Frankie.”
“I might take you up on it if Mr. Perfect shows up.”
“You’ll get your Mr. Perfect. He’s out there just waiting for you to run into him.” Bell tells her as we pull up in the driveway.
“And you’ll get your fireworks,” Sophia says, smiling at Bell before she gets out of the Jeep.
“Fireworks?” I raise my eyebrows in question, unbuckling my seatbelt.
“I told her I was waiting for the one who would give me fireworks when we kissed. Someone who would make my body burn for him and be completely consumed in his presence. We made a pact a long time ago to never settle for less.” She gets out to join Sophia before I have a chance to ask her more.
Fireworks. I push the thought out of my mind for now and walk into the house with them.
“Oh my God, this looks amazing,” Sophia says as we enter the backyard. Two long wooden tables are set up with white flower bouquets and candles along the center. Fairy lights are strung throughout the backyard, and the pool is filled with floating candles, giving it a romantic feel. A bartender is setup in the corner, and the catering staff is busy bringing out food.
“It’s breathtaking.” Bell looks around in awe. “I feel like I just stepped into a fairytale.”
“Noah, this place looks amazing,” I tell him as he and Emma walk over to us.
“You can thank our moms for that. They had a vision they knew Emma would love and brought it to life.”
“You should have seen me bawl like a baby a few minutes ago when I walked in. It’s so beautiful.” Emma wipes away another tear as she looks around.
Bell and Sophia hug her before taking her away to get a glass of wine. I see my parents arrive along with Noah’s. Mimi and Papaw walk in with Luna, James, and Sadie. James has six-month-old Harper on his hip as she gnaws on a teething ring that’s clutched in her chubby hand. She’s got dark hair like her parents and really is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
An elderly couple walks in, which must be Emma’s grandparents, followed by her aunt and uncle and a couple of her cousins. They just arrived today from Arizona. Noah insisted that they all be invited tonight, too. He knows how important it is that Emma have family here as well.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask Noah.
“I’ll do a bourbon, thanks. I see Emma waving me over to meet her relatives. I’ll be right back.” He walks over to Emma, and I head to the bar to get our drinks.
Sophia is chatting with James and Sadie as I walk up next to Bell at the bar. “Ready for tomorrow?” I ask her.
“I’m ready.” She looks at me and grins. “Our Noah’s getting married.”
“Yes, he is,” I say, grinning.
“I’m just so happy for them.” Bell looks over at Noah and Emma. “Noah’s waited his whole life for her, and she cameback to him. I’m going to be a crying mess tomorrow,” she laughs.
“I couldn’t be happier for them. They both deserve their happy ever after.”
“Yes, they do.”
I tell the bartender two bourbons and two white wines for Bell and Emma.
James is next to me, and I feel a tiny pull on my hair. I glance over and see Harper smiling at me with her two bottom teeth proudly on display.
I grin back at her, and she reaches for me. Laughing, I take her from James and bring her to my chest.
