Page 189 of Mad As Hell

“Of being married?”

“Of losing him.” My insides chilled at the thought. “If this doesn’t work… I can’t lose him, Bex.”

She gave me a tight-lipped smile. “I know. These assholes have a way of getting under your skin.”

“Did you talk to Court?” I knew she’d gone into town with him this morning to get our dresses, but I wasn’t sure where things with them stood.

She shook her head. “No. Court and I aren’t you and Ryan, Mads.”

“And Linc?” There’d been no denying my best friend had a strong connection to both men, and it wasn’t a secret they had a history of sharing women.

“Linc’s fun,” she answered. “With Linc I can let my guard down because… Because it doesn’t hurt as much when he lies to me or hides things. Court and I are just… we’re too complicated. Maybe in another life, another reality, we’d work.”

I sniffled and laughed softly. “Aren’t we a freaking mess?”

She rolled her eyes, but I saw the tears shimmering in them before she blinked them away. “We can’t be a mess. It’s your wedding day.” She picked up the brush once more. “Now, close your eyes so I can finish.”

My eyes closed as I relaxed and let Bex finish my makeup. When she was done, she helped me into the gown that was hanging in a garment bag on the door of the closet.

Smoothing my hands down the bodice, I turned to the full-length mirror on the other side of the room and inhaled sharply. “Oh, my God.”

Bex clapped her hands together in front of her face, beaming at me in the mirror. “You look stunning.”

Objectively, I knew she was right.

The strapless, A-line gown was snow white with a slightly flared skirt and single row of rhinestones around my waist, giving me an hourglass shape. The corset under the gown made my boobs look amazing. The gown wasn’t overly ornate and elaborate. It was simple in many ways, a far cry from the monstrosity Gary had commissioned for me by the designer known for her outrageous styles.

I traced the row of crystals on the dress with a smile. They were the same color and shape as my engagement ring.

“Something old,” I murmured absently, looking at the ring and knowing it would soon have a companion.

Bex’s hands settled on my shoulders. “Your dress is something new. Your something blue…”

I groaned, my head tipping back. Bex had shown up with the blue lace underwear that I was wearing under the gown, and the slit up the center was something Ryan would love.

Crotchless underwear or a chastity belt, it didn’t matter. Ryan would always find a way into my panties.

And I’d always let him.

“Something borrowed,” Bex added, slipping a diamond solitaire necklace on a platinum chain around my neck. The gem rested at the hollow of my throat like it had been made for me.

I gasped, reaching up to touch it. “This is stunning.”

“It’s from Mr. Harris,” she explained. “It belonged to Ryan’s mom. He said it was a gift when she turned sixteen. He’s been saving it for Cori, but thought you’d like it for today.”

“It’s perfect,” I breathed as someone knocked on the door.

I half expected it to be Ryan—he’d been angling for a way to see me all morning, but he’d been blocked at every turn by Bex, Ash, and Linc.

It was cute the way everyone was determined to keep with the tradition of him not seeing me, but I was also secretly grateful. Honestly, we could use all the good luck we could scrape together.

“Ryan, I swear—” Bex started.

“It’s me,” Ash called, amusement infused in his tone.

“Is Ryan with you?” Bex demanded, still suspicious.

He chuckled. “No. He’s downstairs waiting, impatiently. I was sent to see if you two were ready. The pastor is here.”

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