Page 98 of Vicious Seduction

“Everything is ready to go whenever you are,” said the coordinator with a broad smile.

I looked at my family, small but perfect, and my heart filled with joy. “Let’s do this.”

The coordinator, who looked like she had walked off the set ofMen in Black, placed a finger on the earpiece of her headset and spoke into the microphone. “Bridal procession is ready in five,” she said with military curtness, then handed her binder to Amelie and began straightening the short train on my dress. The woman was a machine. I didn’t want to know what Oran had paid her to put all this together on such short notice. Whatever it was, it had been worth it.

The string quartet playing deeper in the garden transitioned from the filler music into an artful rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon.

Amelie started down the path around a hedge row, and then it was just Gloria and me.

“I’m so proud of you, mija,” she said softly, wrinkled fingers clasped over mine. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. No one deserves it more.”

“Thank you, Mama G.” My voice threatened to abandon me. “I never would have been the woman I am now without you. I owe you everything.”

“I always knew God put me in that house for a reason. We were both grieving at the time, you and I, and when I saw the sorrow in your big blue eyes, I knew I had a new purpose in life.”

I wasn’t a believer like her, but I couldn’t argue with her. If there was ever proof that guardian angels existed, Gloria was it.

“Love you always and forever, Mama G.” The words were nothing but a whisp of air.

She wiped a tear from my cheek as her own fell. “Always and forever, mija.”

“Okay, ladies. I hate to interrupt, but we have a schedule to keep.”

Gloria and I both grinned, semi-delirious laughter taking hold of us.

“Deep breaths, please,” the woman said sternly.

“Yes, yes. Lina, you don’t want to be puffy.” Gloria led me in a slow, deep breath.

“Okay, I think I’m okay now.” I nodded, hoping if I said it, it would be true. Then I began my final walk as Lina Schultze.

When we rounded the corner that unveiled the site of the ceremony, my eyes only saw one thing. Oran, standing tall and confident without the slightest display of nerves. He’d been ready for this day for months. Conner stood next to him as the best man, opposite where Amelie waited for me in her role as maid of honor. We kept things simple. No ring bearersor flower girls. This was about our vows to one another and an epic party afterward.

My eyes held Oran’s without wavering. His tailor-made three-piece gray suit was even better than I’d imagined, highlighting the shards of silver in his eyes. Eyes that swirled with so many emotions I could have spent all day trying to name them. I was utterly transfixed by the man, and he was all mine.

When we reached the end of the aisle, Oran gave Gloria a hug before she took her seat, and then the world melted away, and it was just Oran and me.

“Every time I see you,” he murmured, “I fall in love all over again.”

I blushed all the way to my toes, if toes could blush.

“Then we fall together because I can’t help but go where you go.”

His answering grin must have summoned the sun because I felt its warm rays fill my chest.

Oran turned us toward the Byrne family priest who led the ceremony. All my nerves melted away, leaving pure joy and excitement for what was about to unfold—our union but also the unveiling of a secret I’d been keeping. I could hardly wait to share it.

We recited vows that we’d written together in the weeks before our big day. When the time came for the rings, that was my cue. Amelie handed me Oran’s wedding band, and after I spoke the recital and placed the ring on his finger, I turned over my hand to reveal a matching version of Oran’s tattoo that I’d had inked on the inside of my left wrist the night before. I’d gone to the same tattoo artist to ensure it was drawn just right since the smaller size meant adjusting some of the elements.

I would never, ever forget the look in Oran’s eyes when hesaw what I’d done. The enamored pride. The adoration. His love for me shone so bright it would have lit the night sky.

He cupped my face and pulled my lips to his in a passionate, unbridled kiss.

“Um, we haven’t gotten to that part yet, sir,” said the priest in a hushed, scandalized tone.

Oran ignored him, pulling away only when he’d had his fill. Taking my wedding band from Conner, he then looked at the priest to continue. Minutes later, we were pronounced husband and wife to a chorus of cheers.

After the ceremony, we mingled with our guests, enjoying cocktails among the cherry blossom trees. And when the time came, we moved into an enormous tent for the main reception dinner, which worked well because it began to drizzle not long after. We all stayed warm and dry and deliriously happy inside.

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