The car I rented is parked out the front of the motel, so at least I know she’s still here. There’s also a pack of media waiting around, and thankfully, a team of security guards waiting outside. The media begins snapping my picture as I approach.
“I’m guessing she’s in there?” I ask one of the guards as I approach.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Livingston. Go on through.”
I rap my knuckles on the door, and it swings wide. Inside are three other people all fussing around Sophia who’s sitting on a chair in the middle of the room.
“You’re here!” says the guy who opens the door.
He’s six-foot, black, wearing eye makeup and has dreadlocks down to his ass.
“I am,” I reply as I enter the room.
“Oh, Kris, darling. This is my team who makes me look fabulous,” coos Sophia.
“I’m Judy, so nice to meet you at last.”
“I’m Justin, and the big hunk of man who opened the door is Claude.”
I do a sort of half-wave at them and put my hands in my back pockets. “Hello, nice to meet you.”
Sophia has rollers in her hair, and Judy is painting her nails.
“What time are you picking me up?” asks Sophia as she watches Judy.
“About that.” I smile at everyone in the room. “I’m obviously going with TB.”
Sophia’s head snaps in my direction. “What about me?”
“Sophia, I am the best man and—”
“Of course, I forgot about that,” says Claude as he taps a finger to his lips. “No matter. I’ll take you, and that way I can make sure you look fabulous right up until you enter the church.” He turns, winks at me so only I can see, then turns back around and claps his hands. “This is going to be epic!”
“But Claude, he’s supposed to take me.”
“Sophia, he is the best man, the press will expect him to be with the groom. Come on, darling, what happens if your lipstick smudges? I’m sure he’s good at some things, but I’m betting makeup isn’t one of them.” He has his hands on his hips and is slightly bent over as he talks to her as though he’s talking to a child.
“Fine.”
Claude claps his hands again, then looks at me. “Now, I took the liberty of bringing you a tie that matches Sophia’s dress. This you will put on after you’ve had photographs taken with the happy couple. We’ve arranged for you two to have some happy snaps taken two hours after the wedding down on the beach.”
Sophia makes a noise, and Claude rolls his eyes and looks down at her.
“The carpet?”
“Yes, Sophia, I told you there will be a carpet for you to walk on, so you don’t get sand anywhere you don’t want it.”
Sophia smiles at him, and he shakes his head at her like she’s a demented child.
“Well, looks like you’ve got everything under control, Claude.”
“You have no idea,” he replies cheerfully.
I look at Justin. “You must be the hairdresser.”
“I certainly am. Claude and I run a boutique in LA, Style and Glamor. He does the makeup, and I make you look fabulous.”
With a hand on his hip and the other on his chest, Claude says, “I believe that’s my job?”
“It’s all our jobs,” interjects Judy.
“And you’re all doing great.” They all look at me. “Okay, well, I’ve gotta go. Good luck, and I’ll see you at the chapel.”
Claude sighs and puts both hands on his chest as he looks all romantic.
“Good. See you there,” replies Sophia, without looking up.
A frown creases Claude’s face as he looks from her to me, then he shrugs and walks over to the door to see me out.
“Thanks, Claude.”
“You’re welcome, I’m used to handling queens,” then more quietly, he whispers, “drama.” And mouths ‘queens’ again.
I grin at him and walk out to the ever-present press.
Chapter Eighteen
Athena
Ashlea is wearing an ivory lace wedding dress. It has an off-the-shoulder neckline with long sleeves, the bodice fits her perfectly then falls to the floor. The dress is simple and elegant, much like the woman who is wearing it. Manda, from the local hairdressers, has tamed her red curls that now hang down her back, swept off her face by the pearl tiara she’s wearing. With the dress, her hair and makeup, Ashlea is a vision. I pale in comparison, which is how it should be on a bride’s wedding day.
“Do I look okay?”
Shaking my head, I smile. “No. You look far better than okay. You are beautiful.”
“Stop it.”
Ashlea looks at herself in my full-length mirror and smiles. “I feel pretty.”
“You look it, honey. Now, I’m off. Do you two need anything else?” asks Manda.
“No, thank you, Manda. You did an awesome job,” I reply.
Manda looks from me to Ashlea. “It was my pleasure. See you both at the chapel.”
I walk Manda to my front door and then go to the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of Moët. The sound of the cork popping has Ashlea walking down the hallway and into the kitchen.
“I thought we could both use something to calm our nerves.”
Ashlea nods. “Yeah, but I’m not nervous, I’m excited.”
Pouring us both a drink, I hold up my glass and say, “To you and Ares, may today be the start of your new lives together, and may there be more happy days than bad.”
Ashlea picks up her glass, “Amen.”
“Can you sit?” I ask.
Ashlea nods. “Yeah.”
“Take the big chair, it’s more comfortable.”
Just as Ashlea is about to sit, the photographer, Henry, walks into the room.
“I thought you left?”
“No, no, no. Getting photos of the bride getting ready is just the beginning.” He looks around the room. “Okay, ladies, how about we go outside to the garden?”
“Can I finish my glass of bubbles first?” asks Ashlea.
Henry plucks the glass out of her hand and shakes his head. “Not in here. Come on, you hired me to do a job, and I’m doing it.”
“Henry, you’ve got photos of me practically naked. I need that drink.”
“Those are only for you and TB to look at. I promise not to share them. Trust me when I tell you, he’s going to love them.”
“If he doesn’t kill you for taking such intimate photos of his bride, he might,” I tease as I hold open my front screen door.
Henry shakes his head and looks down at Ashlea. “Come on, daylight’s fading.”
“It’s early.”
“So, humor me,” replies Henry, holding out his arm to her.
Ashlea grasps it, and we all move out to my walled-in garden. Henry has set up a chair, and he guides Ashlea to it. For the next half an hour, he takes lots of photographs. Then he moves us out at the bluff with nothing but the ocean behind us. Thankfully, the wind is mild and doesn’t ruin Ashlea’s or my hair. A loud wolf whistle pierces the air, signaling Todd and Ashlea’s father’s arrival.
“Perfect timing,” mutters Henry as he picks up another camera.
Todd walks out to us. He’s in a charcoal suit, white shirt, and pink tie, which is a perfect match for my dress.
Touching it, I laugh. “We match.”
“Well, as your date, I had to. Besides, it’s what a boyfriend would do.”
Henry is clicking away, taking pictures of us, so Todd and I start posing for the camera, and soon Ashlea and her father join in.
“All right,” says Henry. “That’s enough. Now I want some serious shots of the bride and her dad.”
Grabbing onto Todd’s hand, we walk back into my home while Henry does his thing.
“Do you want a glass of champagne?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Todd smiles. “You look beautiful. That dress really suits you.”
“You don’t think it’s too pink?”
Todd chuckles. “It’s a weddin
g, you can never be…” he does finger quotes in the air, “… too anything.”
Laughing, I hold out a glass to him. “When do we leave?”
Todd looks at his watch. “Another ten minutes. So, sit, relax, and tell me you’re okay.”
“You know?”
“I know.”
Taking a seat in my red overstuffed chair, I take a sip of champagne. “Seems everyone knew about me.”
Todd lets out all the air in his lungs with a whooshing sound and sits on my sofa. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “Yeah. I really am. It’s a relief to have it all out in the open, and Kris, well, Kris is wonderful.”
Todd quirks an eyebrow and swallows half his glass. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
Smiling, I say, “He’s changed.” Leaning forward, I put the glass down on my coffee table. “And yet he hasn’t at the same time.”
“What does that mean?”
“I guess we are the same but older and wiser.”
Ashlea bustles back through the front door and points at me. “I need one of those.”
Rising immediately to my feet, I go and get her a glass. Ashlea takes the barest of sips and lets out a sigh.
“Are you okay?”
She looks at me. “My parents aren’t like yours. My dad is trying to tell Henry how to do his job. I swear I’m about to kill him.”
“Sit down, and I’ll go fix this. It’s my job on your day.” I glance at Todd. “Keep the bride happy.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Walking out to the bluff, Ashlea’s dad is in a loud conversation with Henry, not allowing him to speak by talking over him.
“Enough!” I yell.
Both men look at me.
“I will not have my daughter’s day ruined by this, this… this incompetent buffoon.”
Henry’s mouth falls open, and then he swings his head in my direction.
Holding up my hands, I smile at him. “Henry, why don’t you go into the house and have a glass of champagne? We have to leave soon.”
Henry scowls at Ashlea’s dad and strides away without a word.
When he rounds the corner of my walled garden, and I can no longer see him, I address Mr. Lynch. “You need to take it down a notch, Mr. Lynch. Henry isn’t charging TB and Ashlea for his time today. The only thing they’ll need to pay him for is the prints.”
“But—”
“No buts! Henry has been taking pictures for years. He’s won awards, and we’re lucky to have him. Now, this is Ashlea’s day, and right now she’s upset because you are ruining it. Not Henry. So, get your ass inside and let’s make her happy.”
He opens and closes his mouth several times as though he wants to say something, but the words don’t come. So, I hold out my arm to him, Mr. Lynch clears his throat, links his arm through mine, and we head into the house.
***
Todd pulls the car up in front of the chapel. A few locals who weren’t invited to the wedding are waiting outside to see the bride along with a ton of security guards and press.
“Oh my God, why are there so many people here?”
“It’s okay, Ash. They just want a glimpse of you.”
Todd gets out of the car and jogs around to open the door. First, Mr. Lynch gets out, then me, and finally the bride. Ashlea smiles, and I walk around her to make sure her dress is perfect. Todd kisses me on the cheek.
“I need to go and get seated. Remember, shoulders back, tits out, and smile.” With a wink, he jogs into the chapel.
Mr. Lynch makes a harrumphing noise and looks at his daughter. “Although I don’t approve of his vernacular, he has a point.”
I grin at Ashlea. “See you in there. I’ll be at the front, and I’ll save you a spot.”
“Athena?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. You’ve made my day perfect.”
“It’s not over yet. We haven’t even gotten to the good part.”
Squeezing her hand one last time, I go and stand at the door to the chapel. The music starts, the guests all stand, and I begin my walk down the aisle. My bouquet is a smaller version of Ashlea’s. It’s a cascade of mostly white flowers with a pink rosebud dotted throughout, Ashlea’s is primarily pink roses with white rosebuds. It’s a literal waterfall of flowers that come to a point.
Slowly, I walk down the aisle, taking in the gorgeous decorations around the room. The wooden bench seats gleam, and the pink and white flowers hanging on the end of them have filled the small chapel with their fragrance. Everyone is smiling, and you can feel the love. My parents are in the front row, and Dad has a hanky to his face as he watches me walk down the aisle. Father Daniel smiles at me, and I walk toward him. My gaze lands on TB, whose smile is huge, then it lands on Kris. He’s not smiling, he looks like he’s in shock. He visibly shakes himself and then nods at me and winks. I feel a blush creep up my neck and heat my face.
The chapel’s volume goes up, and I know from the look on TB’s face that Ashlea and her dad have entered the chapel. TB is looking past me, but Kris, his eyes are glued to me as I take my place at the front of the congregation.
When Ashlea arrives at the front, she turns to me and gives me her flowers, then spins back around to take TB’s hands in hers. My brother has never looked so devoted. The smile that passes between the happy couple is nothing short of the embodiment of love they share.
“Will everyone please be seated?” asks Father Daniel. He waits for the murmurs to die down, then begins. “We are here to celebrate the union of Ares Boswell and Ashlea Lynch. Today, as we create this marriage, we also create a new bond and a new sense of family, one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today.”
My eyes move past the happy couple as Father Daniel speaks, and I find myself lost in Kris’ blue eyes. Just like the rehearsal, I’m mesmerized by him. It’s not until the crowd begins to clap that I realize the wedding is over. TB is kissing Ashlea, and everyone is cheering. Ashlea breaks the kiss, her pretty face infused red with embarrassment. Father Daniel guides us over to sign the wedding certificate and where Henry takes many photographs. Mom and Dad both have hankies to their eyes, and even Mr. and Mrs. Lynch look a little misty.
“You look beautiful,” whispers Kris.
Kris and TB are wearing black suits and white shirts. TB’s tie is the same color as Ashlea’s dress, and he has a white flower in his lapel, whereas Kris’ tie matches my dress, and he has a pink flower. They both look very handsome.
Kris kisses me on the cheek, and then he hugs TB. “Well, done, man. You did good.”
“Thanks for standing up there with me.”
Kris holds out his arm to me, I link my arm through it, and we walk out of the church to a waiting Henry who organizes where everyone should stand on the steps so he can take a group picture. There’s no time for much talk as we are whisked away by Henry to various locations. I had no idea that your face could hurt so much from smiling. Unfortunately, the press and the security guards are also with us everywhere we go, so I have no alone time with Kris.
Chapter Nineteen
Kris
Athena has never looked lovelier than she did as she entered the chapel. It was like seeing an angel walking down the aisle. With the light behind her, she looked ethereal, slowly coming to life as she walked toward us. We’ve had no time together alone as Henry takes so many photographs that it’s worse than a photoshoot for a movie.
Finally, with a grin on his face, Henry nods and looks at us. “That’s a wrap!”
“Oh, thank God,” says Athena with a laugh. “Is anyone else’s face hurting from smiling?”
“Yep,” agrees Ashlea.
Unfortunately, the press is also here, snapping away and filming us.
“Time to celebrate my bride,” announces TB as he kisses Ashlea.
Ashlea pulls away. “Time to celebrate us.”
Athena moves closer to me as she watches the happy couple, without thinking, she links her hand wit
h mine and rests her head on my upper arm.
“Aren’t they sweet?”
“Sickly,” I reply with a laugh.
TB shakes his head at me. “Jealousy is a curse, brother.”
We all laugh and head for the car.
“How’d we do?” I ask Henry.
His face goes a little red as he fiddles with his camera. “I know I take a lot of pictures, but it’s important to get the right shot.” Henry looks back through the lens of his camera. “And you never know when that’s going to be.” He snaps a picture of Athena and me.
“Enough,” pleads Athena. “I need food and drink.”
“Me, too,” chimes in Ashlea.
“You heard my bride, she needs sustenance. Let’s wrap this up,” orders TB.
***
The parking lot of the yacht club is full. The whole area has been bombarded with press and film crews. Apparently, they are all still hoping I’m getting married. As I emerge from the car, many of them shout at me, but I ignore them as I help Athena out. Her hair is pulled off her face but hangs down her back in loose curls, the dress is very pink and holds her ample bust up and highlights her hourglass figure. The little makeup she has on accentuates her natural beauty, and when she smiles at me, my heart skips a beat.
I should never have left her.
My heart has always belonged to Athena.
“What?”
I smile at her. “You look beautiful.”
A blush creeps up her neck, and she leans into me, her floral-scented perfume washes over me. “Thank you.”
With her arm linked through mine, we walk into the yacht club. Athena stares straight ahead, no doubt concentrating on not falling over, but I only have eyes for her. Henry is trying to take pictures around the press and looking very frustrated as he trips over someone.
The inside of the club is decorated with fairy lights, and sheer white curtains cover the walls giving it a romantic vibe. Everyone stands as we enter and claps. With Athena’s hand held in mine, we take our positions at the bride and groom’s table and wait for them to enter.
TB enters the room first and steps to one side, clapping as Ashlea enters the room. She goes red and looks down at the floor, then her smile lights up her face, and TB grabs her hand and brings it to his lips.
Powerful: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 12
