“I will. We Swain women have to stick together.” Elizabeth pulls me into a hug and pats my back. “He’s yours now, Juliette, and I don’t accept returns.”
That makes me smile. “Goodbecause I plan to keep him forever.”
Elizabeth stays with me and helps me fit the ivory veil beneath my hair. Reno likes when I wear a bun, but I wanted something a little fancier today, so I had the hairdresser fashion a curly updo that shows off my shoulders in this dress.
I’m so touched that Elizabeth asked me to call her Ma. I haven’t called anyone by any kind of maternal moniker in ages, and… it feels nice. Like my new mother-in-law could be the mother I never had.
Evie pokes her head in the door. “Hey, someone wanted to say hi,” she tells me, stepping back to let my author friend, AK Landow into the room.
“Oh my god,” I squeal, rushing over to give her a hug. She looks stunning in a royal-blue dress and stilettos I’m instantly jealous of. “I’m so glad you could make it. Come meet my mother-in-law.”
I introduce the two women, and AK hands me a beautifully decorated pink box with a white bow. “I wanted to give this to you personally.”
“Awww, you’re so sweet. Thank you.” I unwrap it and open the box, pulling out a single item as my eyes go wide. “Is this a…”
“A bridal butt plug,” my insane friend says proudly. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“I’m just going to give you two a few minutes alone,” Elizabeth,myfreaking almost-mother-in-law,says, scurrying from the room with a bright red face.
“Oh my gawd!” I hiss, poking AK in the chest with the offending device. “I can’t believe you gave this to me in front of her.”
“Pffft, she’s a grown-ass woman. She knows you and her son are going to get freaky on your honeymoon.”
I can’t help but laugh, but another knock sounds at the door, before I can reply. I find Bubba on the other side. “Hey, sis. You look beautiful.” He kisses my cheek, and I stroke a hand down his tie.
“You look pretty handsome yourself, Bubs. You’re not coming to tell me my groom escaped, are you?”
He laughs. “I don’t think a team of wild horses could drag that man away. No, AK’s car is blocking one of the caterers.” He looks to my friend. “I was wondering if I could borrow your key so I can move it.”
“Sure,” she says, her face registering confusion as she digs into her clutch and produces a car key.
“Thanks,” my brother says, taking the key. “I’ll bring it back in a few minutes.” He glances at the item in my hand and chokes on his own spit before dashing from the room, muttering something under his breath.
Great.Now my brother and my mother-in-law have seen my new sex toy. Family dinners should be fun from now on.
I run my fingers over the surface of the plug. It looks like it’s covered with lace, but it’s smooth to the touch. I smile at AK. “Thank you, crazy lady. It really is pretty.”
“Use it in good health, babe.”
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. It was put together in a rush because I wanted to get married before my stomach got too big, but my entire family had come together to help. And Reno had insisted on being in charge of the flowers. The entire room had been filled with blooms of every color. It was more than I could have hoped for.
The cake has been cut, I’ve danced with both my dads, and the bouquet and garter have been thrown. Now I’m in Reno’s arms on the dance floor.
“Hi, husband,” I say, grinning up at him.
He returns my smile and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Hi, wife.”
We’ve said those words every chance we could get since we arrived in the reception room. Yeah, we’re kind of sickening, and I give zero fucks about it. I’m in blissful love with Reno Swain.
And now I’mMrs. Swain.
“Today was perfect,” I tell him, laying my cheek against his chest as he holds me tighter.
“Mmhmm,” he hums, his face pressed into my hair. “You’ve made my life complete.”
“You’re really living up to your nickname, Reno Swoon,” I tell him.
“I thought I was Sir Forearms,” he teases.
