Page 155 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Geez, Brad! She’s not copying, she’s a bridesmaid. I’m the maid of honor, how cool is that?”
I don’t like the sound of that.
“I thought that was for churches. Do we really need that here?”
Kara props a hand on her hip. “It’s Lottie’s day, Brad. Let her have it.”
“Yeah, Brad,” Elijah parrots. I’m going to punch him in his stupid face. “But don’t worry, Sebastian and I are fully prepared to be your groomsmen. Even numbers and all.”
“No.”
“Brad, you have to.” I hate when Kara looks at me that way. It makes my resolve crumble faster than an Oreo you forgot you dipped into your milk.
I bite back a lot of sharp words when I realize Sebastian and Elijah are wearing ties the same color as Kara’s dress.
But it all slips away the second Lottie walks through the door.
A sense of peace I’ve never experienced wraps around my limbs, swirling through my body, causing my skin to tingle from its magic.
She’s an angel, my angel.
She’s saved me from a life of loneliness and given me the courage to step outside my castle walls. Lottie Sinclair has single-handedly changed the course of my life, and I don’t ever want to fall off this track.
“You. You’re stunning, Charlotte. Absolutely fucking breathtaking.” I hold out my hands, pleasure zipping through my bloodstream when she reaches for me.
I hold her at arm’s length to fully take her in. Her dress is simple in its beauty. There are no embellishments or fancy netting making it puff out like a cupcake. It’s clean lines that form to her shape as though it were made specifically for her. Lace covers her arms and shoulders with shimmering silk in a square shape that starts at the top of her breasts, then clings to her body as the fabric falls to the floor.
“Thane.”
I blink to bring Charlotte’s face into focus.
“If you keep standing here staring at me, we’re going to be late.”
Late. Right. We have an appointment.
Oh God. I’ve forgotten how to swallow, and my eyes burn. Did someone fill the space with poisonous chemicals?
“Are you okay, Brad?”
I nod then shake my head until it’s rolling in a circle. I don’t know what the fuck I am.
“It’s okay,” Sebastian says. “It happened to me too when I saw Rowan on stage with my daughter. You’ll remember how to function in a few minutes. For now, turn left and walk.”
Clutching Charlotte’s hand with a vicelike grip, I follow Sebastian’s directions. People stare as we walk by, and I wrap a protective arm around her.
“They just think she’s beautiful too. You don’t have to go all caveman on her.”
I fire a glare in the direction of Kara’s voice, but it fades when she grins at me.
At least I have all my faculties again.
“It’s in here. Room number two hundred and thirteen.”
“Oh, not thirteen,” Rowan whines. Too bad you can’t put a muzzle on people. “Of all the numbers, it has to be thirteen?”
“Good thing I don’t carry your superstitions.” Charlotte pats her friend on the shoulder, then takes both my hands in hers. “You’re sure about this?”
The warmth from her hands seeps into my bones. “One hundred percent. I’m ready to marry you, and then together, we’ll adopt my sister.”
