Page 146 of The Obsession
My mum steps through the door a few minutes later with Peach perched on her hip. “Mum,” I squeak, moving towards her. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss my little girl’s wedding for all the tea in China.”
“That’s a lot of tea,” Lucia chimes in.
My mum shrugs. “What can I say? I love my tea.”
I press my lips together to hold back a laugh when Lucia grimaces. “Now I know where your daughter gets her love of tea from.”
My mum gives her a strange look. “They’re Italian, Mum. Coffee drinkers.”
“Ah.”
“Do you want to see your pretty flower girl dress?” Lucia asks Peach.
“Yes!”
“Did Dominic pick that as well?”
“He did.”
“And yours?” I ask.
“That would be a no. There was no mention of a bridesmaid when he called. I just volunteered for the position.”
The excitement I felt in the van while we were getting ready has given way to a flutter of nerves.
My mum has gone ahead to join the others—including my stepfather—but I won’t let that small detail ruin this for me. Hopefully, being surrounded by three brutish mafia men will be enough to keep him in line. A celebrant who was on their flight will be officiating the ceremony, and I’m blown away that Dominic managed to organise all of this without me knowing.
Lucia, Peach and I are currently standing around the side of the van, out of sight of the others, as my maid of honour fusses over me, making sure I look perfect before we make our grand entrance.
There’s a small bouquet in my hand, one my mum made for me. The pink and white flowers are artificial—she wasn’t sure fresh ones would survive the two flights it took to gethere—and they’re perfect. Lil’ Peach and I each have a few flowers pinned into our hair as well.
I might be a pared-down version of a bride, but the casual setting and simple dress suits me. I’ve always been a no-frills kind of girl. It’s the sentiment behind today that matters more than anything.
“You ready?” Lucia asks as she pulls out the phone she was hiding in her cleavage, and quickly types away on the screen.
When the opening notes of Turning Page by Sleeping at Last drift in a few seconds later, I lift my free hand to my chest.
“I love this song,” I admit.
“Dominic chose it.”
“He did?”
“He originally said we didn’t need music, but I told him you couldn’t walk down the aisle in silence. It took him a week to finally get back to me with this one. He said it’s fitting because he feels like he’s waited his entire life for you.”
Tears burn the back of my eyes. He’s never claimed to be a hearts-and-flowers kind of guy, but somehow this feels more deliberate than anything he could have said outright.
“I-I love him so much, Lu,” I admit.
“I know you do, babe. Let’s get this show on the road so you can finally marry your man and live your happily ever after.”
I inhale a sharp breath and hold it as Lucia grabs Peach’s hand and steps out from behind the van. My feet follow, and the moment my eyes lock on Dominic, everything else falls away as the world narrows down to the two of us.
I start toward him, not even tempted to look anywhere else. He’s standing near the cliff’s edge, with his back to thevast ocean. His hands are shoved deep in his pockets, waiting like he’s always known we’d end up here.
He’s changed out of his T-shirt and jeans into a white linen button-up shirt and tanned trousers. I can only presume his clothes came in the Helicopter with the others.
