#Heart (Hashtag #6) (38 page)

I couldn’t say or do anything. I just sat there in the center of bed and stared at the yellow heart that was now a part of my gown.

“Rimmel?” Ivy said, wary, after a few moments. “Did I do the wrong thing? Are you upset I had this cut out of her dress?”

You know what happened, right?

I burst into tears.

Not the delicate,
let me dab the corners of my eyes on a single tissue
kind, either.

The ugly kind.

The kind that snotted up your whole face, made your eyes red and your chest heave. I fell over and buried my face in Romeo’s pillow. Even after only one night in this bed with him, it smelled like him.

I cried harder.

I cried so hard it hurt my chest.

Poor Ivy was so horrified she started crying, too.

Drew burst into the room seconds later to find us both. “What the hell is going on in here?” he bellowed.

Neither one of us thought it was strange he was in my hotel room without being let in. Maybe I’d have asked him if I hadn’t been bawling like a baby.

“I cut up Rimmel’s mom’s dress and put in on her other dress, and she hates it and I’m a terrible friend!” Ivy sobbed. “And she gave me a garter with an anchor on it!”

Drew’s eyes widened like he had no idea what the hell was happening.

“I don’t hate it!” I sobbed. “It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me!”

Ivy cried some more, and Drew frowned. “Ives, stop it. That can’t be good for the baby.”

When she didn’t stop, he went forward and hugged her. “Stop,” he said and rubbed her back.

“I’m sorry.” I climbed out of the bed and went across the room to hug them both.

Then we were all standing there in a three-way hug while we used Drew as a human tissue. Trent appeared, and I heard his feet halt at the door. “What the fuck is going on in here?”

“Dude, they won’t stop crying.” Drew sounded horrified.

I held out my arm to Trent, and he laughed and joined the hug. “Aww, family times,” he quipped.

Ivy sniffled.

“Both of you better quit it or I’m gonna call Romeo and B. They sent us up here to check on you.” Trent went on.

Ah, so that was how they got in here.

His threat worked wonders in shutting off the waterworks. Once we were both under control, the two guys backed out of the room warily, like they expected us to explode again. Before Drew went, he rubbed his hand over Ivy’s softly rounding belly and smiled.

“Is the baby okay?” I stressed.

“She’s fine.” Ivy promised and wiped her eyes. Then she rested her hand over her belly. She wasn’t showing much except for her stomach, where the belly was softly rounding out. I thought she looked adorable, and by the way B watched her around the house, he thought so, too.

“I’m sorry I lost it.” I sniffled and walked over to see the gown up close and personal. “I really have been missing her.” I fingered the yellow fabric. It was silky to the touch. “And this really makes me feel like she’s here with me today.”

“She is.” Ivy smiled and hugged me. “Oh,” she added, “and just so you’re prepared, there will be an empty seat in the front row today, with a yellow rose bundle on the seat.”

“For her?” I asked, getting emotional again.

“Yeah. In memory of her.”

I hugged her for a long time. She didn’t seem to mind.

“Thank you,” I whispered finally.

She took a shuddering breath and pulled back. “I’m going to take a shower. Hair and makeup people will be here in an hour, and I want to be ready.”

I groaned.

“It won’t be so bad.” She laughed and headed for the door. “But don’t forget. My mom, your grandmother, and Romeo’s mom will all be invading soon as well.”

Double groan.

Everyone was staying here at the hotel and we would all be riding over to the stadium in limos.

Yep. A line of limos going down the road like some royal parade.

I was kind of embarrassed.

“There’s a bottle of champagne chilling, so maybe you should have a glass, relax a little,” Ivy suggested.

She knew me too well.

“Thanks. I will after I shower, too.” I agreed.

When I stepped out of the bathroom a short while later, I wrapped myself in one of Romeo’s button-ups (that way I could take it off easily once my hair was done) and a pair of black leggings and headed out into the bedroom.

Romeo was sitting in the center of the bed.

I gasped and pressed a hand to my chest. “You scared me!”

He chuckled. “After one night alone, you already forget what I look like in our bed?”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re not supposed to be here.” My eyes widened. “She didn’t see you, did she?”

He laughed and held out his hand. “Hell no. I don’t want that pregnant bridezilla’s wrath.”

I climbed into the bed and onto his lap. “I was hoping you’d sneak in,” I whispered.

“Woulda come through the window, but it’s kinda hard when we’re on the top floor.”

“Like that night at the dorms,” I mused, thinking back to the beginning of our relationship.

He chuckled.

“That your dress over there?” he asked, and I gasped and slapped my hands over his eyes.

“You can’t see that!”

I felt rather than saw him roll his eyes. “It’s not bad luck if we’re already married.”

“I’m so glad we had that night,” I confided and lowered my fingers.

He smiled and gazed into me with blue eyes like no one else’s. “I am, too.”

He made a growling sound and rolled us over, pressing me into the mattress with his weight. His palm explored beneath the hem of my shirt, and he groaned when he felt I wasn’t wearing a bra.

I filled my hands with his hair and tugged him just a little closer, exploring his mouth with my tongue as if it were the first time. I knew we were already married, but the anticipation of today still made my body hum.

I tugged his hair so he lifted his head slightly, and he gave me a lazy smile.

“I can’t wait to see a wedding ring on your finger tonight,” I confided. “And that way everyone will know you’re taken, and not just me.”

“Baby, I’ve been taken since the day we met.”

My heart skipped a beat.

He dipped his head again and thrust against me. We made out like teenagers, fully clothed and afraid if we went any further, we’d get caught.

“One night without you, Smalls, and I’m already desperate.” His voice was hoarse, and he leaned in to kiss the side of my neck.

“Tonight.” I promised, reaching between us and stroking his hard length.

“Rimmel!” Ivy called from outside the door. “They’re here!”

I used Romeo’s shoulder to muffle my laughter. “Coming!” I yelled. “I have to go,” I told him.

He groaned. “Don’t make me go back out there. My mother keeps asking me about last-minute details. And trying to make me put on my suit… What the hell am I going to do in a suit a million hours before the ceremony? Then she’d be all over me not to wrinkle it.”

I giggled. “She just wants to take your picture.”

He moaned. “You’re killing me, Smalls.”

“I love you.”

He pressed his forehead against mine. “I love you, too.”

He helped me off the bed, and we straightened each other’s clothes. “Distract the herd of women so I can slip out the front door.”

I saluted him.

He gave me one last swift kiss before holding the door for me to go ahead of him. “I’ll see you at the altar, Mrs. Anderson.”

My stomach danced with butterflies.

“See you there.”

Ivy

As a girl, when I dreamed of my wedding, I thought of fairy tales. Of castles on hills or beaches with pristine sand and crashing waves. I even used to daydream about a southern wedding in the mountains of North Carolina in a rustic barn with bare feet.

I never dreamed I’d get married on a football field. With my very best friends right beside me. I never thought I’d have a growing child in my belly when I pledged my love to someone forever.

I never dreamed of any of those things, because not even in my dreams could I conjure something so perfect.

It was everything I never knew I wanted, and in just a few short minutes, it wouldn’t be a dream anymore… It would be reality.

The guests were here, all six hundred of them. Even though I was still in the back, I could picture them sitting in the rows and rows of pristine white chairs that were perfectly placed near the end zone of the Knights home field.

Down the center of the chairs was the aisle Rim and I would walk down, the path that led to the rest of our lives. It was lined with white and silver lanterns filled with flickering candles, and white rose petals fell like snow across the deep green of the turf.

Right on the touchdown line began a large white platform that would lift the brides and grooms off the field enough for all the guests to see. It wasn’t a terribly large platform because we didn’t have a large bridal party.

There was no reason to.

Rimmel and I would stand with Romeo and Braeden, and my brother would stand on Braeden’s side, and Trent would stand on Romeo’s.

The rectangular platform was lined with more of the white and silver-painted lanterns in various shapes and sizes. They too would flicker and dance with light as we said our vows.

The goal post, which stood close behind, was draped with a thick garland of white flowers that dripped off the pole into long strands of more white blooms that were lit from within with white lights.

I had no idea how Valerie got such an elegant, large display of flowers made, but it was absolutely gorgeous.

Right on the fifty yard line was a massive white tent. There was no time to go inside to see how everything came together for the reception. Valerie caught Rimmel and me snooping around the field when we were supposed to be getting dressed and chased us back in the locker rooms before we could get a peek.

I had an idea what it would look like, of course, but Valerie was in charge of the setup and a lot of the details, so I knew it would be a surprise even to me.

The morning passed by in a flurry of activity. Once Rimmel and I had our moment together, we spent several hours getting our hair and makeup done. Everyone but me sipped champagne, and I sipped orange juice.

Out of a champagne glass, of course.

Now here we were, standing in a locker room in wedding gowns.

Everyone but the photographer had gone to find their seats. My father and Rimmel’s father were waiting outside to escort us onto the field.

We could hear the soft playing of music over the loud speakers even in here, and I wondered for like the millionth time what Braeden was doing right that minute.

“I can’t believe I’m getting married,” I said and walked over to the large floor-to-ceiling mirror hanging on the wall.

I think for the first time ever, I was more nervous than Rimmel. Usually, I was the calm one, but today, it was the other way around. Maybe it was because she had liquor and I didn’t.

I stood in front of the mirror and took in my appearance, scrutinizing every last detail. My hair was up in a simple bun with a thick braid wound around the perimeter. A few loose wisps of hair framed my face and lay against the back of my neck. The style wasn’t slicked back and sleek, it was more casual elegant, which I thought fit the whole football field theme.

I went classic with my makeup because making trendy, bold choices on a girl’s wedding day wasn’t the best idea. So we concentrated on achieving glowing, luminous skin, neutral yet dramatic eyes (with gorgeous fluffy false lashes), peachy cheeks with golden highlights, and pale pink lips.

I’d exfoliated and moisturized my skin almost to death leading up to today, so my bare arms and chest would look soft and touchable in Braeden’s eyes.

What I considered the most dramatic statement of my wedding look was my gown. I’d been worried how much of a baby bump I’d be sporting for my walk down the aisle, and while I was happy to be pregnant, no woman wants her baby bump to been seen before she is on her wedding day.

So I chose something that would help conceal it but still flatter my shape.

The gown was snow white with thin straps and a neckline that plunged low between my breasts (which were slightly fuller thanks to the baby). The waistline was defined right below my breasts with a thick white band of the same white fabric that made up the top. It was a backless dress, except for the thin white straps that went all the way down to the waistband.

Basically, the top was simple and beautiful. It was tailored to fit me perfectly, so I didn’t have to worry about some kind of wardrobe malfunction and one of my girls falling out.

Nobody wanted to see that.

The bottom half of the gown was more dramatic and honestly made me feel like a princess. It was a long, full skirt that blossomed right out from the fitted waistband. Layers of tulle floated over the satin under layer with a slightly sheer quality. What made the fact that the tulle was slightly sheer so special was there was color beneath it. A deep blush pink started just beneath the waist, and it faded out to a soft muted shade that gave way to pure white right above my knees.

It was a soft effect overall, and between the accent of the color and the fullness of the skirt, my baby bump wasn’t even noticeable.

To top it off, I added a pair of glittery pink heels.

Because a girl always needed a little glitter.

And a little pink.

The only jewelry I was wearing was my engagement ring (on my French-manicured hands) and a pair of diamonds in my ears that I borrowed from my mother. The blue garter with the anchor from Rimmel was wrapped around my thigh.

“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Rimmel said, coming up behind me.

I smiled and turned so she could see her reflection.

“I don’t know. I think you have me beat.” I smiled.

She snorted.

But then she smiled, her voice soft. “I’ve never looked this beautiful before.”

“You’re beautiful every day,” I corrected. “But a hair and makeup team plus a gorgeous gown sure goes a long way for a girl.”

We both laughed.

Rimmel’s long hair was down, curled loosely to give it a tousled feel and then the sides were gathered toward the back of her head in some kind of artistic knot with baby’s breath adorning the style. It looked gorgeous against her dark, shiny hair.

Her makeup was also classic, but her lips weren’t pale pink like mine. They were a deeper berry shade. It looked gorgeous on her full lips. I was surprised she agreed to wear it, but when the makeup artist suggested it, she agreed.

Again, maybe it was the champagne.

Or maybe she was just happy to be getting married.

She did refuse to wear contacts, even though the makeup artist went on and on about it. It kind of made me mad because Rimmel should be exactly who she was on her wedding day, and glasses were totally Rim.

So to end the argument, I pulled out a pair of white-framed glasses I had hidden away.

Yeah, maybe I’d seen this coming.

Rimmel declared they were quite bride-ly and shoved them on her face.

I gave the makeup artist an
I dare you
look to say one word and wisely, she shut up.

Her gown wasn’t as full as mine. She was so small that something with a full skirt would have swallowed her whole. Instead, her dress was more A-line, fitted at the top and gently flared at the waist to float down and swirl around her Converse.

I just hoped she didn’t trip on the hem, which was a little too long now that she wasn’t wearing heels.

The top of the gown was lace lined with a fabric that matched her skin. It had a wide boat neckline that accented her collarbones and tops of her shoulders and sheer three-quarter lace sleeves. The back of the gown had white buttons up the back, and the waistline was defined by a thin white band. It was right beneath the white band that I had the yellow heart sewed from her mother’s dress. When she stood in the ceremony with her back to the crowd, everyone would be able to see it.

She wasn’t wearing any jewelry except for her engagement ring and a bracelet her grandmother had worn on her own wedding day.

“I’m glad we’re doing this together,” she said and turned to me.

“Me, too.” I sniffled. “No crying! Save our makeup.”

She smiled. “I’m sure they’re waiting.”

I picked up the bouquet of sterling silver and dark-purple roses bound together with a dark-purple satin bow and handed them to her. Then I picked up my own bouquet of light and dark-pink roses.

“Ready?” she asked, offering me her arm.

I was so ready.

We walked down the aisle together. Sure, we could have gone separately with our dads. But it made it more special to go together.

Rimmel and I were arm and arm, and our fathers took up our sides.

I knew the decorations looked gorgeous. Thank goodness we’d come and taken a peek before the ceremony, because the second we stepped at the end of the aisle, I saw nothing but the man waiting for me.

I knew by the way Rimmel’s arm tightened around mine as we walked that it was the exact same for her.

Braeden in a suit was what dreams were made of.

His broad shoulders and tapered waist were practically made to pull off the clean lines of a classic tailored suit jacket. The suit was ink blank, not a crease in sight, and beneath the jacket was a crisp white dress shirt, black buttoned-up vest, and a wide black silk tie that was knotted perfectly at his throat and disappeared elegantly beneath the vest.

There was a pocket on the left breast of the jacket, and just the edge of a crisp white cloth could be seen. His shoes were the same inky black, and they made his strong legs go all the way to the platform where he stood waiting.

But beyond the way he owned that suit, it was his eyes that owned me. His dark-chocolate gaze never left mine, and the smile on his lips was sexy and held a note of promise for when we were alone. My hands trembled as I gripped my flowers and tried to focus on not falling over.

Speaking of…

The too-long hemline of Rimmel’s gown proved to be a worthy opponent.

The toe of her Converse caught on the gown, and she went stumbling forward. I gasped and snapped out of the trance I’d been in with B, locking my arm and tugging to keep her from falling.

Her father, who was on her other side, acted fast and also pulled her up. Between the two of us, we managed to keep her off the ground, but her bouquet hadn’t been as lucky.

A few gasps went through the crowd and then a bit of applause when she was righted and didn’t face plant.

The four of us had halted in the center of the aisle, and she glanced at me sheepishly. “Maybe for once I should have worn the heels.”

A giggle bubbled up out of me, and then she joined in.

“Ladies.” A smooth voice cut in, and Rimmel gasped.

Romeo was standing there before us in the middle of the aisle, an amused glint in his eyes.

“Romeo!” Rimmel said. “Sorry to keep you waiting,”

His eyes went right to her, and oh my word, the way his blue eyes looked at her intently… It was like he’d forgotten we were in the middle of a wedding.

Romeo looked just as good as Braeden in a suit, but instead of black, he was wearing a deep blue. It only served to make his eyes stand out that much more. He left his jacket unbuttoned to reveal the same colored button-up vest and a wide blue tie over a classic white dress shirt. The pocket on his left breast was adorned with the same color handkerchief… and something else.

A tiny pair of gold glasses were pinned to the breast.