Page 66 of The Arrangement
“I wish Mimi were here,” she says softly. Tears spring to her eyes. “I didn’t think I was going to get emotional.” She laughs, sniffling. “I’m just … ignore me.”
I step to the side to allow a newly married couple to pass. “I will never ignore you, Chloe.”
“You know what I mean.”
As the couple before us enters the staging room, a woman with a name tag readingCorbinarrives at our side.
“Are you two lovebirds ready?” she asks, shoving a pair of black-rimmed glasses up her nose. “You make a gorgeous couple.”
“Thank you,” Chloe says, accepting a tissue from Corbin.
“Yes,” I say, keeping an eye on my bride. “We’re ready.”
“Not yet!” a voice shouts.
We all look over our shoulders as a commotion erupts in the lobby. The couple behind us steps quickly out of the way as a barrage of bodies—ones I know very well—charge into the room.
“Did we make it?” Tate asks, panting. “Tell us we made it.”
“If you wouldn’t have been taking selfies with the stewardesses, we wouldn’t be cutting it so damn close,” Ripley says, smacking me on the shoulder. “What’s up, brother?”
Chloe’s fingers lace through mine, and she gives them a tight squeeze. It’s almost as tight as the one in my chest.
These bastards.
“What in the hell are you guys doing here?” I ask, laughing.
“Do you really think you’re getting married without us?” Tate asks. “I had to see this with my own eyes.”
“And Mom sent us to FaceTime.” Ripley holds up a phone. “She basically threatened to give Bianca my inheritance if I didn’t get here in time. She couldn’t get to the airport in time, and Bianca didn’t find out the news until about twenty minutes ago. So prepare yourself. She’s pissed.”
“How did you get here so quickly?” Chloe asks.
Tate grins. “We have a brother who owns an airline.” He looks at Jason. “You paid for that flight, by the way.”
I roll my eyes as my brothers each pull my fiancée into a quick hug.
Chloe’s cheeks color the same as her flowers as she accepts their congratulations. They tease her, joking that she’s now fairgame. And although she pushes back, she has a smile on her face. If I’m not mistaken, she’s enjoying this.
“I also have orders,” Tate says, digging his hand into his pocket. “Mimi wants to FaceTime, too.”
Chloe’s jaw falls open. “How do you know Mimi?”
“I have my ways.” Tate winks at her. “She’s at home, propped up in bed, watching black-and-white movies with Mara. They’re having a girls’ night. But Mimi does want to watch you get hitched to the old man here.”
I shove my elbow into Tate’s side. He bends at the hip and groans for effect.
The couple from before comes out of the staging area, whooping and hollering. We all clap as the groom picks up his bride and throws her over his shoulders. She loses a shoe in the process.
“You’re up!” Corbin says, her red lips parting into a wide smile. “Go on in. Do you have any questions? Or do you remember how we went over everything?”
I glance at Chloe. She’s beaming up at me.
“We’re good,” I say. “Thanks, Corbin.”
“Of course. Now, go get married!”
Ripley holds the door open, and we enter a white room. White tile floors, white fabric draped over the walls and ceiling, and a white chandelier streaming a bright white light.
