Page 68 of The Heiress Bride
“Had to bring mom’s best embroiderer out of retirement for a month.”
“Oh, King, you didn’t.”
“She loved it. Thought it was the most romantic thing ever. And don’t worry, she was paid?—”
“Handsomely,” Gabe inserts.
“Not to mention the six passes to their favorite theme park in Paris for her grand brood.” King makes circles with his hands and holds them over his head to mimic a set of very distinct ears.
I shake my head slightly, laughing even though I’m ready to release a stream of happy tears. Could I be any more smitten with him? “Sounds like an adventure.”
“Creation usually is,” King agrees as he steps back to admire the dress.
“You’re sure this isn’t bad luck?” I double back to my original worry.
Alex rounds the dress form and offers me a hand. “We make our own luck, Beauty. You know that.”
And just like that, the silly superstitious concern melts away because he’s right. We have been making our own luck for months, and I have zero doubts that we’ll continue blazing our own trail in the future.
There’s a slight whir of a door opening, and then a crew member appears with a tray topped with four flutes and a bottle of champagne. I’ll give her points for not gawking at the guys or the dress. Completely professional, she sets the tray on a nearby table, pours us each a glass, and hands them over, then disappears.
Gabe lifts his flute. “To the most beautiful bride.”
Feeling bashful, I lean into Alex, hiding my smile against the side of his chest.
“To us,” he says.
I drink to that.
“To keeping our wedding invite-only,” King adds, both playful and somber. We tip our glasses for another sip.
We’ll figure the wedding details out to make ourselves happy because that’s what matters. Our love. Our happiness.
“To building our forever family.”
20
KINGSTON/KATHERINE
KINGSTON
Croatia, three weeks later
The Grooms
Kingston: Happy Wedding Day!
Gabe: are you on the toilet?
Kingston: no. Gross.
Gabe: eye roll emoji
Kingston: i’m in the gym for a full body stretch
Alex: Happy Wedding Day
Kingston: thank you!
