My hands dig in through the surplus of packing popcorn and my fingers clutch onto the scrump—scratchy fabric . . . I pull it out, hesitantly, and inch by inch my biggest nightmare is revealed.
“Crap,” I whimper.
“What’s the matter?” Cruise whispers as if he’s afraid to ask.
I pull out the dress and just stare at the cheap Halloween-grade fabric, the misaligned seams of the sweetheart neckline, the wide-toothed plastic zipper that runs up the back—all details affirming that the only occasion this dress is meant to be worn is a bad costume party.
Molly comes up from behind me. “Holy shit.”
“Not now, Molly.” Cruise is quick with the reprimand.
“No, it’s okay,” I pull it in closer, hoping somehow it’ll morph into the dress I want it to be.
“Look at that.” Molly points to the tag. “It’s a Verra. Everybody knows Vera is spelled with one r.”
I close my eyes for a moment. “I thought it was a typo,” I say below a breath.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Cruise pulls me in and holds me. “You weren’t planning on wearing that thing today anyway.”
“You’re right.” I tighten my grip around his waist. Mom is letting me borrow one of her sequined gowns. It’s silver and a size too big, but I suppose that’s as close to a wedding dress as I’ll ever get. “You’re all I need, Cruise Elton.”
And at the end of the day, there is no bigger truth.
Now that I’ve effectively evicted Cruise from the cabin, Lauren and Ally have come by to help me get ready. I took the money from my book sales and bought each of them and Molly a bridesmaid’s dress in a pale blue, the exact color of the cake Cruise and I tried to purchase from the Cake Chief. It really is my favorite color.
Ally gives us something hot from Starbucks to warm our bones, while Molly curls my hair to perfection. I did my own makeup, mostly because I didn’t want Molly turning me into a circus clown. She offered plenty of times to do it for me, but she’s in the midst of an experimental phase with blue frosted eye shadow, so I couldn’t take the risk. Besides, I’m pretty big on the natural look.
“I think I’ll step out for some air.” Lauren jets from the cabin for the hundredth time.
“You think she’s sick?” I look to Ally. Lauren has been acting strange from the moment she arrived.
“She’s not sick.” Ally rolls her eyes at the idea.
“Then maybe she’s allergic to my courthouse wedding.” She took one look at my fake Vera and nearly barfed up a lung.
“That might be true, but who the hell cares?” Ally rubs my back like she’s prepping me for the boxing match of a lifetime. “In just a few short hours, you are going to be Mrs. Cruise Elton, the envy of every girl on the planet.” She wrinkles her nose. “Well, except me. I’m pretty damn happy with Morgan.” She gets a dreamy look in her eyes.
“You can count me out, too.” Molly chirps. “Personally, I’m glad you’re the one who’s going to end up with my brother.” She gives a quick squirt of hairspray to the loose curls she’s crowned me with. “I’ve always wanted a big sister, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than you, Kendall.” She lowers her gaze to the floor for a moment. “I mean it. I’d really love to see our relationship grow. I want to talk to you about boys, and go shopping, and get our nails done, and stay up late watching chick flicks.”
“Really?” I touch my hand to my chest. In all honesty, I never thought Molly cared for me that much.
“Yes, really. Now get up and give me a hug before I take it all back.”
I spring to my feet and pull her into a nice, long embrace. Molly is gorgeous and deep down inside she’s just as beautiful. She’s Cruise’s sister, and now she’s mine, too.
“I love you, Molly. You’re every bit the sister I’ve always wanted.”
The front door flies opens, and Mom waltzes in with a giant grin on her face, but her arms are noticeably empty.
“Where’s the dress?” I spit out in a panic. Good God, I really am going to wear my white Garrison sweats today. “Breathe,” I say to myself just below a whisper.
“Did someone say dress?” Cruise’s mother, Sam, saunters in carrying a giant garment bag with Aunt Jackie trailing in after her, holding up the back end.
“What’s this?” I speed over. Mom never mentioned that her silver sequined gown was the size of a peach tree. Just perfect. I’m going to look like a giant disco ball on my wedding day.
“This, my love”—Sam carefully lays the gown over the couch as if it’s a body and unzips the oversized bag—“is your wedding dress.”
I suck in a sharp breath.
“But that’s—” I can’t finish the sentence. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it’s that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. “Yeah, right.” I take a fistful of fabric into my hand, fully expecting to feel the cheap polyester of my Patagonian costume store discard, but I don’t.
“Watch it there, missy.” Aunt Jackie smacks my hand away. “We need you to love her gently, if you know what I mean.” She strokes away the wrinkles I’ve caused as if she’s petting a kitten.
“What is this?” I straighten. It suddenly feels like I’m in a dream. My Vera is right here in the cabin. There has to be a catch. I look to Sam. “Did you borrow this from the bridal shop?” I swear to God if the three of them conducted some bridal shop heist just to get me to the altar in style, I’ll slap them all silly. Well, shortly after the wedding. No use in pulling on my Garrison sweats when there’s a perfectly good Vera in the living room.
“No, hon.” Sam steps forward with tears in her eyes and pulls me in by the cheeks. “This dress is one hundred percent yours, baby girl.” She plants a kiss on my cheek before pulling away.
“Aunt Jackie?” I take a stab at my next potential fairy godmother. Aunt Jackie has been nothing but kind to me ever since I came out here with essentially nothing more than my suitcase. She’s lent me her car for a year straight, for Pete’s sake. It’s like I’m the daughter she never had.
“Wasn’t me, kiddo.” She sniffs hard into her tissue.
“Mom?” Of course it was my mother. She married Cruise’s father, who happens to be sitting on a pile of money. “I should have guessed right from the start. Thank you.” I wrap my arms around my mother and hold her for a very long time. My mother has had panache when it comes to wedding gowns for as long as I can remember, so this shouldn’t surprise me.
“I’ll take the hug from my little girl, but it wasn’t me, either.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out an envelope.
I carefully pluck out the letter.
Kenny,
I hope this is the right one. I brought Lauren and Ally with me and they assured me it was. Please wear it with joy knowing I never once laid eyes on it. When I see it for the first time, I want it to be on you. I can’t wait to make the most beautiful woman in the universe my bride.
See you at the altar.
Love,
Cruise
Tears flood my vision, and it’s all I can do not to break down into a full-blown sob. My sweet, wonderful Cruise just made the most romantic gesture known to man. He hocked his livelihood to buy this dress, and I can’t help but feel guilty for even hinting at something so extravagant.
Lauren steps back into the room, and her eyes widen at the sight of me.
“Don’t even think of ruining your mascara!” She barks like a drill sergeant. “We’ve got a wedding to get to.”
And with that, the next hour is spent primping and crimping, pulling and tugging, as I squeeze into the wedding dress, a perfect size eight. Sam has the seamstress from the bridal shop on call in the event there’s an emergency altering session that needs to take place, but the zipper glides up with ease, and the dress molds to my body as if it’s a long-lost second satin skin.
“Holy crap.” Ally staggers backward. “I’ve never seen anyone look so beautiful.” Tears spring to her bright-green eyes, and she’s quick to b
link them away.
“It’s time.” Lauren gives me a solemn nod. “Let’s go find your groom.”
I pull Lauren and Ally in for one final hug as a single woman.
“Let’s.”
Molly, Mom, Sam, and Aunt Jackie all file out of the cabin while Ally holds my train from behind.
“Okay.” Lauren holds up a finger. “So there might be one thing I forgot to mention.”
My stomach flips. “Knew it.” I spew the words out. “This was all too good to be true.” But wait, I’m wearing my Vera with one r, and I’m about to make the world’s most perfect man my husband, so whatever piece of crap news Lauren is about to crack over my head won’t really matter. “Give it to me.”
“Remember when I said I’d take care of all the details at the courthouse for you?”
“Yes,” I say slowly because I can smell a mishap of gargantuan proportions coming a mile away.
“I did.” She pumps out a quick smile.
“Oh, thank God.” I heave into her. “For a second I thought you were going to say it was booked three years in advance.”
“Well, it’s not, but I have a feeling you’re not going to want it after what I have to tell you—and if you do, I totally respect that. After all, it’s your day and if standing courtside in front of a judge and an entire bevy of people waiting to get into traffic court is your thing, then so be it.”
I give an incredulous huff. “This better be good, Ashby, because you just ground your Louboutin stiletto right through the heart of both the government and my humble nuptials. And I’ll tell you right now, I’m a hell of a lot scarier than Uncle Sam.”
“I promise it’s good.” Lauren digs her pinkies into her eyes to wipe away the tears that are coming. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her cry before and suddenly my heart melts. “In fact, I think you’re going to love it.”
She leads me out by the hand, and I suck in a never-ending breath at what I see.
“Oh my God.” I try to take it all in. “What’s this?”
Nestled in the courtyard of the bed-and-breakfast is an entire winter wonderland, complete with pale birch trees laden with twinkle lights, and a flowered archway filled with waterfalls of wisteria. Rose petals line a genuine aisle, leading all the way to the miniature version of the Garden of Eden. And standing at the end of the makeshift altar is sweet, gorgeous Cruise in a crisp black tux, his hair slicked back to perfection. He’s speaking with Morgan, and I can hear his voice carry all the way over. It warms me from head to toe.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Lauren bites down over a devious smile.
“Why in the world would I mind? This is too fantastic for words.”
Ally comes up from behind us. “It is, isn’t it?”
“What’s going on? There’s no way Cruise could have ever pulled all this off. The flowers alone cost more than the car I’m driving.” Considering it’s an imported luxury ride, that says a lot.
“Cruise bought the dress.” Lauren takes up both my hands. “But the rest of the stuff was donated by vendors.”
“Isn’t this great!” Ally squeals like I just won the lottery, but I think everyone here knows I’m not that lucky.
I suck in a breath. “Oh God! Cruise has some fatal disease and he’s using his final wish on me.” A horrible feeling coats me from the inside out, and now all I want to do is run over to him and tell him we’ll make our way through whatever physical terror is racking his body.
“Would you stop?” Lauren smacks me. “It’s bad juju to curse your groom with a fatal illness before you make it down the aisle. Nobody is dying. The vendors donated everything so that their products and services could be featured on the Cake Chief.”
“Oh. That makes total sense. Not. Speak English, Ashby. I’m spending way too much time trying to decode my wedding day and far too little time cozying up to the groom.” Who by the way looks more than a little comely, and I mean that in a ridiculously erotic manner.
“I gave you my show.” She shrugs a little. “The wedding edition of the Cake Chief is all yours. You’ll have one hour of television to forever commemorate your special day. And as soon I presented the opportunity to the vendors, they were more than happy to gift you their services. So”—she throws up her hands—“enjoy your wedding day! The only thing you have to do is make some memories.”
“Lauren.” I pull her in. “You know I’ll never be able to thank you for all this.”
“You can thank me by being my maid of honor, right alongside Ally.”
“Really? I’m humbled.”
“Yes, really.”
“Well, I won’t do it unless the two of you stand up for me. I don’t think Molly will mind sharing her duty.”
“Deal.” Lauren helps me out onto the porch just as a slick black limo pulls up to the cabin.
The driver gets out and opens the back door while my mind is reeling at what trick Lauren or Cruise might have up their sleeve next, but what crawls out assures me it’s not Lauren or Cruise’s doing by a long shot. It’s Blair Just-in-Time-to-Ruin-Your-Wedding-Day Lancaster.
She saunters over in her signature red wool coat, and just the sight of her boils my blood. I don’t care if Cruise says they parted ways for good the other day, she’s still got him buried in her cold black heart. Cruise Elton isn’t someone you just get over. He’s the type of perfection you mourn the loss of for years. God knows I would.
“What the hell do you want?” Ally steps into her face as if she’s about to start a fistfight.
“I wanted to wish the bride well and give her something I know for a fact she wants.” Her beady eyes narrow in on me as her thin lips stretch out in a line.
Ally snorts. “If you’re going to hang yourself from the balcony, I suggest you wait until the reception.”
“Wait until after cake,” Lauren snips. “That’s traditionally when gifts are given.”
“Shush, both of you.” Blair closes her eyes for a moment. “I came to let Kendall know I’m not going to need the chapel. I called off the wedding.”
Nobody moves.
“You mean Rutger came to his senses and called off the wedding?” Ally nods, suspecting this to be true.
“No, it was me.” Blair glances over at the bed-and-breakfast in all its wedding day glory. “Anyway, it’s yours if you want it.” She takes in a deep breath and holds it for a moment. “It’s not happening for me today. But I’m sort of hoping someday someone special will come into town and sweep me off my feet.” She washes her gaze over me and gives a dull smile. “You’re a beautiful bride. You scored the man of a lifetime. Don’t let him go.” She presses her lips together so hard all color bleeds out. “He may never come back.” Blair runs to the limo and it quickly speeds right off the property.
“There’s that.” Ally pulls me in as we watch the dust rise in the horizon from Blair’s wicked wake. “It’s up to you, Kendall. If you want the ceremony at the chapel, here’s your chance. It looks like all your dreams are about to come true today.”
I glance over at Cruise in the distance as he patiently waits for me. “Damn straight they’re coming true. And I don’t need the chapel. Everything I’ve wanted was right under my nose, all along. I couldn’t think of a better place to get married than right here at the B and B.”
Lauren motions toward the crowd and a band strikes up the wedding march.
Is that . . . a rock band?
“Hey . . .” I recognize the signature sound of that electric guitar, the way it quivers and wails, making the song its own. “Is that . . . ?”
“The Plague.” Lauren gives a depleted smile. “I couldn’t find a band and they offered to play. They have a gift they want to personally give to you and Cruise after the ceremony.”
“I bet they do. It’s probably some revenge foam send-off to our honeymoon. Never mind. Let’s get me hitched.”
Morgan waits for me at the start of the aisle, and I link my arm with his.
“You look beautiful, si
s.” He leans in and plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. “You sure you want to do this?”
“I’ve never wanted anything so badly.”
“That’s the right answer.” He pats my hand and we begin our long descent toward Cruise.
Cruise gives a brimming smile and his eyes glitter with tears. He’s so breathtakingly gorgeous, my knees go weak and my thighs tremble at the sight of him.
This is all really happening.
I’m about to marry the love of my life.
I’m about to become Mrs. Cruise Elton.
Cruise
I’m not sure how I got so damn lucky but there she is, the most stunning woman in the world walking my way with a beautiful smile on her face and it’s all for me. Kendall Jordan is a vision in white—a real live angel, and she’s about to become my wife. No matter how hard I try, I can’t wrap my head around it. It’s too good to be true, but I’m not questioning fate or destiny or any of the other relationship higher-ups because something magical is about to happen and only a fool questions this kind of luck.
Morgan nods toward me as he escorts Kenny those final few steps.
“Take care of her, bro,” he whispers. Morgan was never a bad guy, never someone who wanted to break up Kenny and me. He was simply a good brother trying to look out for his little sister.
“I will.” My smile expands as I look over at my lovely bride and all the butterflies I was feeling dissipate with that soulful look her eyes are giving mine. “You look stunning.”
“So do you,” she says with serious intent, her eyes moistening with tears.
The preacher starts in on the ceremony and finally we’re asked to give our vows.
I clear my throat. “Kenny, I am so humbled and honored that you would choose me as your partner in life. I can’t wait to live out each and every day with you by my side.” I swallow hard because I’m about to lose it. “I want you to know my life’s goal is to make you happy. There’s not one day that will drift by without me telling you how much I love you, how damn lucky I am to have you.” A wave of laughter circles through the crowd. “You’re everything to me, and I want you to hear it, to feel it, each and every day. You deserve all those things and more. I plan on loving you until the day I die, and then after that, right into eternity.”