Page 160 of Dirty Rock

“Hey, Rhett?” I smirked leaning closer.

He looked up at me with eyes full of love. “Yeah, baby?”

“Well done on that whole not falling in love thing.”

With a laugh, he pressed his forehead to mine, and I held onto him like we were alone because that’s how Rhett always made you feel. When you mattered to him, you could be surrounded by thousands of strangers, and he had the ability to make you believe you were the only person to exist.

* * *

“You ready?” I asked Tessa as she stood there in her wedding dress, blowing the air out of her cheeks in long, slow, breaths.

“I feel dizzy. Should I feel dizzy?” she squeaked.

“You’re not going to faint on me, are you?”

A pair of arms circled my ever-expanding waist, and a familiar minty breath washed over my neck when Rhett rested his chin on my shoulder.

“I hope she hits the deck. That will be hilarious,” he joked.

I slapped his palm, but only gently as it moved to slide down over our growing baby. “Be nice. This is a big day for her.”

With a side-eye glare, I gave him my warning. Rhett rolled his eyes playfully, but I knew he’d behave. He wanted this day as much as Presley and Tessa did.

“Okay, okay, I’ll back off.” He came around in front of me and made his way over to Tess. I tried so hard not to focus on the ridiculously genius cut of the Tom Ford suit he was wearing, or the way it hugged his arse and the way it made him seem so… regal. Instead, I tried to focus on the way he turned Tess around in his arms and gave her a hug.

I tried to focus on the smile that never seemed to leave his face these days, and the way his eyes were always bright instead of dull.I tried to focus on the way Tess looked up to him for reassurance, and the sweet words he said to make her relax, her shoulders sinking with each second that passed.

But when Rhett turned around and unleashed his cheeky grin on me, I was gone again, and the unfiltered whimper that fell from my lips was heard by everyone in the room. Especially him, goddammit.

Shoving his hands into his black suit trouser pockets, Rhett tilted his head and raised a brow. “You doing okay over there?”

“No,” I squeaked, sounding like the Tessa of moments before. “You. In a black suit. The bow tie. The shirt. All of it.” I waved a hand in front of me, feeling more tears rising. Damn hormones taking over my whole world.

Rhett huffed out a laugh and stepped towards me, stroking the baby bump first before he slid his other hand down my bare arm.

“You look pretty divine yourself.”

I glanced down at the rose gold sequined dress I was wearing. It was so far beyond my usual T-shirt, jeans, and Converse combo, I felt a little strange. Especially with half a basketball already swelling around my middle. But the way Rhett looked at me made all those doubts drift away like sand on a blustery day, and I was left with this indescribable feeling I couldn’t remember ever waking up without.

Life was perfect because of my imperfect man.

The cards I’d been dealt hadn’t always added up to a full deck, but I made the most of what I had. I took pride in the hearts around me, and I kept hold of those rare diamonds for everything they were worth.

“You’re about to cry again, aren’t you?” He cringed, dipping his head to meet my eyes.

“Little bit,” I croaked.

“Julia, are you okay?” Tess asked, coming towards us with her genuine concern.

“My God, Tess, you look…” I started, only to feel more tears rise to the surface again.

“What?” Her eyes widened as she patted down her beautiful knee-length dress with the dipped hem at the back. It was made of the most exquisite lace and led up to a bardot neckline that complimented her frame perfectly. Understated, yet so damn Tessa Lisbon classy. “Is there something wrong? Do you think it’s too tight? Do I look too girly?”

“No. I love the heels. I’m not used to seeing you out of those Doc Martens, that’s all. Visual overload in the best of ways,” I assured her.

Her shoulders sagged, and she closed her eyes as a smile came to life. “Thank God. I was worried.” When she looked up again, she reached for my hands. “And don’t worry. The Doc Martens are coming out as soon as those vows are over with.”

“I’m so happy for you,” I cooed.

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