Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
“Coby, wait,” she pleaded.
I turned to go. “Thanks for the cake.”
I stood on a dais in the bridal boutique in Black Veil, staring into the wall-length mirror but not seeing myself. The gold and crystal chandelier above me glittered, showing off my glowing skin.
I only wish I felt the same inside.
I wore a satin-and-lace number with a sweetheart neckline, a firm bodice, a long train, and an oversized bow at the back. I looked like a princess—like the angel Ocean called me—but today…
Today, I felt truly wicked.
It was a little late for a final fitting, but money talked, and bullshit walked. With the help of Ocean’s cousins, I’d found the perfect wedding dress weeks ago. But I couldn’t stop reliving last night to care. I couldn’t stop missing my mom and wishing she were here to help.
No one could ever replace her, but at least I wasn’t alone.
“Some girls dream about this day, but your mind seems a million miles away,” Effie noted as she gently touched my hand. “You’re thinking about your mother, aren’t you?”
Tearing up, I looked down at Ocean’s mom and saw her son’s eyes staring back at me.
They looked a lot alike.
Just picture a softer, tinier, feminine version of Ocean, and you have Euphemia Kilpatrick.
She was breathtaking, and her kindness made her even more so. The only thing Ocean had inherited from his father was his power, money, and penchant for cruelty.
Except Ocean wielded his for good. He used it to protect, not to crush those around him indiscriminately.
“Yes,” I answered plainly, not wanting to say more and risk sobbing like a baby all over my future mother-in-law. “And I haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”
“This life,” she stated knowingly. “It can be a lot. I know.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, because blaming my sorrow on being in a whole new world was an easy scapegoat.
“My son can be demanding, too,” Effie stated with a sigh. “He’ll roll right over you if you let him.” And then she eyed me. “You’re not, are you? I hope he’s been good to you.”
“Oh, yes. He’s um… Ocean’s not what I expected.”
“I’m sure he feels the same way with you. Ocean’s kindness and generosity often surprise even himself. He runs from it because of his father, but I’m hoping that you can help him with that. You and that brave young lady you both speak so highly of.”
My eyes flared as I met Effie’s in the mirror.
She smiled knowingly as she strutted away, sipping her third glass of champagne.
Suddenly, the heavy curtain shielding one of the dressing rooms parted, and Hunter stepped out wearing her maid-of-honor gown. It was a champagne number with a low scooped neckline and high split that showed off the curve of her thigh. Priscilla had shown me a number of bridal party gowns, and I remembered choosing this one weeks ago because I knew that Hunter would love it.
The rest of the room faded away as I admired how her hips pulled at the crystal satin. It was a good thing Effie was no longer standing there because I couldn’t hide my attraction to Hunter anymore if I tried.
“Damn, Coby.” Hunter rushed to my side as fast as she could in the mermaid-style gown. “You look so beautiful. This dress is so you.” And then I realized it was Hunter’s first time seeing my wedding dress. In a perfect world, she would have been there to help me choose it. In fact, I never imagined it going any other way.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
“And Hunter, you also look stunning, baby,” Effie complimented.
Hunter beamed. “Thank you, Mrs. K.”
“I told you,” my future mother-in-law gently reminded her. “Call me Effie.”
Hunter glanced at me, probably feeling like she was encroaching on my future mother-in-law. Seeing that I wasn’t going to descend into a jealous rage, she conceded with a shy smile. “Okay. Effie.”
“This was such a great choice, Coby,” Ocean’s mom praised while studying Hunter more closely. “I think the color goes beautifully with the theme you chose.”
My gaze slowly met Hunter’s in the mirror. “Yeah… I think she looks beautiful.”
It didn’t occur to me until I saw Hunter look away that Effie had asked how I felt about the dress, not how it looked on Hunter.
Officially embarrassed and unable to trust myself around anyone right now, I excused myself and hurried off the dais. I had to lift the ample skirt of my gown to move as quickly as the satin and crystal Christian Louboutin pumps would allow.
The bridal dressing room was the size of an oversized closet to accommodate all the extra material in the wedding gowns. It even had mirrors with built-in LED lighting to taunt me with the glimmer of the tears I had yet to shed. I put my face in my hands, my shoulders trembling with the effort it took to hold them back.