Chapter 43: Chapter 43

AVERY

The castle grounds have transformed overnight.

A beautiful archway, adorned with cascading purple-and-pink flowers, stands proudly in the center of the clearing. An elegant silver fabric aisle, bordered by red rose petals, stretches out from the tent between the rows of white chairs.

Olive and I admire it as we pull the dresses out of the car, carrying them into the castle where everyone is getting ready. She’s already grumbling about her aching feet as we ascend the grand staircase.

“Can I just take these off? No one wears shoes at these things anyway,” she complains.

“You were the one who said they had to be broken in,” I say with a grin. “At least wait till after the ceremony.”

“But my dress is long enough. No one will notice,” she whines as we push open the door to a lavish suite where Madison and the rest of the girls are having their hair and makeup done.

Madison, clad in a satin slip and holding a champagne bottle, greets us with a flurry of hugs.

“Avery! Olive! I’m so happy you’re here! I’m getting married today!” She spins around, jumping with joy.

I chuckle and turn to Madison’s mother, a petite woman with striking blonde hair in a long, silver satin gown.

“Has she been drinking?” I ask, nodding toward the giggling bride.

“A bit, yes,” Madison’s mother confirms, taking the champagne bottle away from her daughter. “Nothing a little water can’t fix.”

Madison starts to sift through the dresses as Olive and I hang them up.

“Avery, this one’s yours.” She hands me a dress bag, then searches for Olives.

Once we both have our dresses, we retreat to a corner of the room to change. A few of Madison’s friends, already undressed and waiting, glance our way before continuing their conversation.

One of them, a thin girl with short brown hair, makes a comment that halts me in my tracks.

“Oh my god, have you seen the best man? He is fine with a capital ~F~. I’m definitely introducing myself.”

Olive looks at me.

“You gonna let that happen?” she asks quietly.

I can practically see her itching with the need to put this girl in her place for even daring to show interest in Reed now that I’ve finally realized how I feel about him. Honestly, part of me wants to let her, but I know I can’t.

“I am not going to ruin Madison’s day by causing an argument,” I say coolly, pulling my dress on.

It’s a stunning mossy-green, A-line gown with short sleeves and sparkly embroidery across the bodice and back. Olive helps me with the zipper, and I strike a pose, the playful slit over the right leg showing just a bit of skin.

“Reed’s not even going to look twice at those girls with how you look,” she says, giving my butt a light tap before spinning me around.

Blushing, I turn to look at myself in one of the many mirrors around the room.

~She’s right. The dress flatters my curves and even makes me look a little taller.~

I wait while Olive changes, laughing when she comes out, arms spread wide like a Vegas showgirl.

“Speak for yourself, Olive,” I say. “You look like a vision in that dress.”

“Think Casey will like it?”

“He won’t know what hit him,” I assure her.

“Avery or Olive?” the stylist asks, holding a curling iron. “Who’s first?”

“I’ll go,” I volunteer, making my way over to the chair.

Behind me, the other girls start gossiping again.

“There he is!” One of them squeals, peering through the window. “He’s so damn hot. Do you think he’s got a girlfriend?”

The brunette from earlier scoffs arrogantly as she steps into her dress. “Who cares if he does. That’s never stopped me before.”

Olive growls, and we exchange a look in the mirror. I shake my head. She glares at them, but I just sit up straighter as the stylist brings the curling iron to my hair.

“Shelly,” the other giggles, feigning shock.

Shelly just shrugs. “What? I’m probably way hotter anyway. I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand by the end of the night. Just watch.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Olive mutters.

“What’s that?” Shelly asks.

Olive smiles sweetly. “I love your dress. It looks almost as good on you as it does on Avery, but she looks drop-dead gorgeous in everything.”

The girl flashes us a tense smile, not sure if Olive’s words were complimentary. Olive’s eyes meet mine in the mirror, and I can almost hear her pep talk in my head.

~Girl, that is your man. Make these girls eat their words.~

I flash her a smile. I plan on doing exactly that.

~Let them swoon over Reed’s devastatingly good looks. Let them think they have a chance. They’ll find out the truth soon.~

I relax into the chair and close my eyes as the stylist works her magic on my hair. When I open them again, I see a big, beautiful French braid curled at the base of my skull, some smaller braids folded at the top of my head, and a few loose curls framing my face.

It’s romantic and elegant, perfectly complemented by the delicate makeup. I watch as Olive has hers done, followed by the other bridesmaids.

Madison is the last one to get ready. When she emerges from the bathroom in an elegant, trumpet-style dress, the entire room gasps. She looks stunning, truly a goddess in white satin.

“Madison, you are going to knock my brother dead,” I say, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “Josh won’t know what hit him.”

She hugs me, giggling. “I could say the same thing about Reed. That boy is going to fall at your feet and beg when he sees you.”

“Shall we take some pictures before we head down?”

“Yes!” Madison cheers.

***

The groomsmen are waiting by the door as we head outside. Reed and Josh’s friend from Florida lean against the doorway while Josh, Casey, and the fourth groomsmen perch around the rim of the fountain. I stare at him as we approach.

~Damn, he’s a sight for sore eyes. It should be illegal to look as good as he does.~

He looks like he’s just stepped off the runway at a fashion show, the sleek black tuxedo fitting him like a second skin. He turns, noticing me instantly, his jaw falling open.

Heat creeps up my cheeks as he makes a beeline for me. He swallows hard as he takes me in, his eyes traveling down my gown before meeting mine again.

“Avery, damn…”

From the corner of my eye, I catch Shelly scowling as Reed showers me with attention.

Olive chuckles as we make our way past her and her friend. “Guess you’re not hotter than his girlfriend after all.”

Shelly scoffs but doesn’t retort, hurrying past us toward the tent.

Reed’s handsome face scrunches with confusion. “What was that about?”

I smile, looping my arm through his. “I have no clue. Olive is just being Olive.”

Behind us, Olive and Casey burst into laughter, their mirth accompanying us all the way into the tent where the rest of the wedding party has assembled.

This time, a veil has been hung up to shield Madison and her father from the rest of the party, ensuring that Josh doesn’t catch a glimpse of his bride before her grand entrance. The officiant takes his place at the front of the line, then turns to brief us.

“All right everyone! This is it. Are you ready to have a wedding?”

The tent erupts with cheers and shouts of excitement. He pulls out his phone and the wedding march begins as we follow him down the aisle.