Page 55 of Connected By Stars
I sit up and laugh. “You just try and keep up with me.”
“Challenge accepted,” he grins. He stands up and pulls me to my feet before shaking out the blanket and folding it up. “Goodnight,” he says softly before kissing me one more time.
“Goodnight.” We turn and walk back to our houses. I smile as I brush the sand off my feet and quietly go inside and climb under the covers. Tomorrow’s the wedding, and soon there won’t be any more reasons to wait. I’ve waited most of my life to be his, and once I am, I intend to keep it that way. Always.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Maverick
I helpNoah with his tie as the photographer snaps away. Sage walks in with Jax and puts a hand to her heart. Her eyes start to get misty as she looks at Noah.
“You look so handsome,” she says, smiling through her tears. She comes over and hugs him.
“Thanks, Mom,” Noah hugs his parents and blinks the unexpected tears away. I hear the photographer snap away at the special moment.
“Let’s have your mom put your flower on for you, Noah, so I can get some pictures of the two of you.” He hands Sage Noah’s small lily boutonnière.
Noah turns to me and reaches for a small box and card on the table. “Can you give this to Emma for me? I want her to have it before the wedding.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” I take the box and close the door behind me as I walk to the girls’ room on the other side of the building. I knock on the door and hear Emma saycome in. I cover my eyes and peek my head in. “Is everyone decent?” I ask, laughing.
“It’s just me, and yes, I’m decent,” Emma laughs. I walk in and stop in my tracks. Emma is standing in front of a full-length mirror and looks absolutely breathtaking.
“You look beautiful, Emma. Noah is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“Thank you,” she smiles at me in the mirror. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing good. He’s very excited to marry you.”
“Me too.”
“Where is everyone?” I look around and see that the room is empty.
“The photographer is getting some bridesmaids shots before we all do our group one. I told them I would be there in a minute. I just needed some time to myself for a second. It can be overwhelming with everyone fussing over you, and I just wanted a moment to remember to breathe.”
“I get that. Noah asked me to give this to you.” I hand her the box and note. She reads the note and smiles before she opens the box. It’s a gold necklace with a small blue round pendant. She puts it up to her eye, and tears gather.
“It’s my parents,” she whispers, handing me the necklace. I look into the pendant and see a picture of her parents on their wedding day. They are both smiling happily at each other and look so in love. “He said he wanted me to have them close to my heart today and to remember how much love they had for each other, just like we do. It’s perfect. Please tell him thank you for me and that I love him so much.”
Emotions clog my throat as I have her turn around and secure the necklace for her. It hangs perfectly by her heart. She places her hand over the necklace and grins through her tears. “I have something for him too. Do you mind bringing this to him for me?” She hands me a box similar in size to hers and a note.
“Of course.” I take the box from her. “I’ll see you at the aisle,” I smile at her and bend down and kiss her cheek as she pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you, Maverick. Your friendship means so much to me and Noah. I hope you find what we have one day. You deserve a love like ours. Don’t ever be afraid to grab ahold of it when you do.”
I nod, unable to speak. I think of Bell and how I feel when I’m around her as I walk back to the guys’ room. Noah comes walking over to me as soon as I enter.
“How is she?” He asks me. “Is she doing ok?”
“She’s doing great. She’s very excited to be Mrs. Bennett. Prepare yourself, though. She’s going to knock your socks off when you see her. She’s a stunning bride.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” he grins.
“She asked me to give you this.” He takes the note and reads it. Smiling, he opens the box and sees a narrow leather bracelet in black. There’s writing on the metal piece in the center. “What doesNirjharamean?”
“It meanswaterfallin Sanskrit. It’s our special place,” he says softly. He turns it over, and I seeconnected by soulswritten on the back. “It’s perfect.” He puts it on under his cuff and smiles.
“She said the same thing about your gift. I don’t think you could have given her anything else that would have meant so much. She also told me she loves you very much.”
He nods and runs his finger over the bracelet.
