"Blake loves you a lot."
She smiles. "It's really nice, you know, when you find that person."
I nod.
"And if you do... you have to hold on and never let go. Okay, Lizzy?"
"But you left him. Last year, you left him. You loved him, but you left him."
She looks out the windows as we breeze through Times Square. Her eyes are wide. Her face is filled with wonder.
She's not drunk. She's just Kat.
"I couldn't be with him unless he loved me back," she says.
I nod. "What if he'd said no?"
"It would have hurt, but it felt good to say those words. I had to do it. No matter what happened after."
I settle into my seat, watching the city whiz by.
The drive passes quickly. In minutes, we're at the penthouse apartment. I pay the cabbie and help Kat to the curb.
It doesn't occur to me until we're in the penthouse elevator. I was in a car without batting an eyelash. It didn't worry me at all.
Some of it must be my focus on the wedding. But the rest I owe to Nick.
In the apartment, I force Kat to drink half a gallon of water, eat a snack, wash off her makeup, brush her teeth, and get promptly to bed.
The living room is mine. I pull out the empty notebook and I channel all the feelings whirring around inside me.
And I write until my hand goes numb.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I zip Kat's dress and take one last look around the apartment. We have everything. It's go time.
Downstairs, the limo is waiting. Flutters building in my stomach. My sister is getting married. I'm walking her down the aisle. I'm standing with her at the alter. I'm giving the speech.
It's a big fucking deal.
Her dress doesn't have a train. A good thing, because it's raining. It's April. Of course it's raining.
I close my eyes and listen to the drops pound against the aluminum roof.
"You okay?" she asks.
"Yep. You?"
She nods. "I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"Glad you skipped lunch?"
"Very glad."
"You look beautiful. Really beautiful." I fight my desire to cry. Plenty of time for that later.
Instead, I check my purse for my speech and my extra copy of Kat's vows. I'm under strict orders not to read them, so I zip my purse, toss it on the bench seat, and rest my head on Kat's shoulder.
She plays with her engagement ring.
"You should put that on your right hand," I say. "Don't want to upstage the wedding ring."
She switches the rock to her right ring finger. Her eyes stay on the sparkly gem. "Is this really happening?"
"It is."
"Are you sure I'm not dreaming?"
I smile. "Positive."
"I'm really young to get married. Mom and Dad would be freaking if they were here."
"They were like twenty-three. Barely a year older than you are now."
"Yeah."
"You love him, right?"
"Like I love breathing."
"I've never seen two happier people." I squeeze her. "Do you really doubt your decision, even for a minute?"
"No." She takes a deep breath, her expression softening. She looks down at her dress. "It feels like I'm dreaming."
I pinch the back of her neck.
She yelps.
"You're not dreaming."
"You're a fucking brat."
"Love you too."
The car stops for a solid three minutes. That was fast. I collect my purse, smooth my dress. This is happening and I'm ready.
The limo door opens. There's a smiling woman in a black pantsuit, holding a pink and white bouquet with a big pink bow.
She's one of the wedding planners. She introduces herself as Shelby Something—I'm too nervous to catch the last name—and hands us each a bottle of water.
I chug half of mine, but my throat still feels dry. There's no way I'm calming my nerves today. Might as well enjoy the ride.
Shelby presses her earpiece to her head and speaks into the receiver. "Okay. Get everyone seated." She offers Kat her hand. "We're ready for you."
Kat look at me as if to ask "is this really happening?" I nod.
She takes Shelby's hand and steps onto the curb. The rain is still pounding, but it doesn't seem to bother either of them. Shelby hands Kat the bouquet and helps me out of the limo.
"You're walking your sister down the aisle?" she asks.
I nod.
"How sweet." She leads us through the back entrance then points to the ceremony site, about five hundred feet away. There's a pink tarp tied to the blooming cherry blossom trees. The few dozen guests are seated in plastic folding chairs. Half of them are holding pink umbrellas.
"You'll get a little wet," Shelby says. "But we have a portable wooden walkway on the grass. Your dresses are safe."
We move closer, until we're about two hundred feet away. There's a small guesthouse shielding us from view. We come to the corner. The next step is onto that walkway. Then it's one long path down the aisle.
Kat holds the bouquet to her chest.
I sling my arm with hers. "You got this?"
She nods.
It's pouring too hard for me to hear anything.
Shelby taps us on the shoulder, and then it's our turn.
Kat is really getting married.
I squeeze her as we make our way down the slippery wooden path. The world becomes a blur. The cool colors of the rain. The soft pink of the petals blowing in the wind. And Kat standing across from Blake, both of them so happy they could die.
I'm too nervous to hear a word the officiant says, but I can feel all the love between my sister and the man who is about to become her husband. The way they stare at each other, with so much honestly, so much vulnerability.
When they read their vows, I start bawling. I don't even try to blame the rain. I used to think this kind of thing was cheesy bullshit, but it's so sweet, so beautiful.
He slides the ring onto her finger. "I do."
And then it's her turn, and her smile is so wide I almost worry her cheeks are going to break off.
She slides the ring onto his finger. "I do."
And then they're kissing. It's like a fairytale. I can see the magic swirling around them. I can see that everything in the world is exactly where it needs to be.
It's a tender moment, one that would usually be theirs alone.
But they're sharing it with the world.
That's love. You share it with the world.
A tear rolls down my cheek. I do nothing to stem it. My sister is married, and she's happy, and no matter what happens—
She's gonna be okay.
***
The next ten minutes are a blur. I pose for a few dozen pictures, then wait as the photographer focuses solely on the bride and groom.
For a few minutes, I watch Kat and Blake pose. They both look so happy, so natural, so free.
Maybe she's right, and I have to tell Nick how I feel, no matter what the results. It's possible he'll hate me for interfering with Shepard. It's possible I'm about to lose any chance we have at any kind of relationship—
But it's a risk I'm willing to take.
I step under the now empty alter and look up at the transparent pink tarp. The rain is down to a drizzle. It makes tiny drops on the tarp, that same pitter-patter, only softer.
I pull my phone from my purse and call Nick.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Voicemail.
"Hey Nick. It's Lizzy. I'm at the wedding. It was beautiful. Reception starts in forty-five minutes, but that's not why I'm calling. It's because I have something to say."
I take a deep breath, willing my thoughts to straighten.
They do.
"I talked to Shepard. He made me a deal, to leave your company alone if I ended our relationship. I thought it would make you happy. It did. But it made me miserable. Nick... I don't want to say thi
s over the phone. I'll come over after the wedding. I have to see you. Please, even if you hate me for getting involved." I dig my hands into my phone. "Let me know where you'll be tonight. The reception ends around seven. I can get anywhere in the city by seven-thirty."
I end the call and hug the phone to my chest. My heart is racing. My breath is totally uneven.
Whatever happens, I have to tell him today.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The reception is in a solarium. There's hardwood floor beneath us and a beautiful curved glass ceiling above us. The dance floor is surrounded by tables with soft white cloths.
The cake is sitting against the wall, right in the center. It's white and pink, and it's decorated with cherry blossom petals. It's so Kat. The ceremony, the reception, the dress—all of it is perfect.
The sound system reverberates as the DJ steps up to the mic. "Now arriving, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling."
Blake and Kat step through the doors. They go straight to the dance floor. They dance to Etta James's rendition of "At Last." It's seamless and sweet. The whole time, they're staring into each other's eyes like they're lost in a different world.
When the song ends, they mouth, "I love you" and take their seats.
The DJ speaks. "The salad course will arrive in ten minutes. But first, some words from the best woman and the maid of honor."
A coordinator brings a mic to Fiona. I find my speech in my purse and read over it. I'm so focused I don't hear a single world she says. I don't even look up until I hear clapping and cheering.
She passes the mic to me.
Here goes nothing.
I stand up and look over the reception. "I'm sure you've heard this story, but I was in an accident four years ago. It killed our parents. Almost killed me. Doctors told me I'd never walk again." I dig my fingers into the mic. "It gets better, I promise."
The tension in the room eases into a laugh. "Kat was only eighteen, but she was there every day when I woke up, and when I fell asleep. She took me to every physical therapy session and every doctor's appointment. For a long time, I was sure that no one would ever take care of us but each other. I was protective of her too. When she met Blake, I didn't want her to have anything to do with him."
Everyone laughs.
"I never thought I'd be okay with anyone else taking care of my sister, but when I see her and Blake together, I know I can pass the torch. He appreciates everything that matters about her. The way she sees all the magic and beauty in the world. The way she loves with her whole heart. I've never seen two people more perfect for each other. A year ago, I didn't believe that kind of happiness was possible." I look over to them. They're smiling. Blushing even.
"You guys made me believe in love. You made me believe enough that I fell in love. That wasn't possible last year. And that's worth more than all of Blake's money. Which is a lot." I swallow hard. Almost done. "I'm so happy for you both. It couldn't happen to two better people."
People are laughing. Kat is crying. Blake wipes a tear from her eye and presses his lips against hers.
It's too hard to breathe in here. I lock eyes with Kat then motion to the door. I mouth, "I'm going to get some air."
She nods to a waiter passing out appetizers, nods okay, and mouths, "I love you."
Everyone is looking at the food. It's my only chance for a break. I go straight to the main entrance and slip outside.
The air is still cold and damp, still drizzling. I wipe my glasses on my dress but it doesn't help.
"Here."
Huh? That's Nick's voice.
I look up. That's him. That's Nick.
He takes my glasses, wipes them dry on his shirt, and slides them back on my face. His touch is gentle, affectionate.
"Your speech was beautiful," he says.
"You heard that all the way over here?"
He nods. "I didn't want to interrupt." He runs his fingertips over my cheek. "Did you mean the part about falling in love?"
My cheeks flush. "It would be wrong to lie in my maid of honor speech." I lean into his touch. "I'm sorry about everything with Shepard. I should have respected your wishes."
"You were trying to protect me. I would have done the same thing."
"I thought it would make you happy."
"I thought so too." He slides his hand around my neck. "I was a wreck over losing the company, but that was nothing compared to losing you. I haven't had a full night of sleep in two weeks."
I stare into his eyes. They're honest. They're earnest.
"I didn't know what you'd done, why you'd left, but I knew it was because I was so devoted to Odyssey. It made me happy once, giving everything to the company. But now that thought makes me sick."
I'm warm everywhere. I squeeze Nick's hand. I suck in a shallow breath.
"I want to be a better man, a man who deserves you. I want to put you first, Lizzy, before everything."
"Before work?"
"Before breathing." He drags his fingers to back of my head, tilting me so we're eye to eye. "You're everything to me."
I melt into his touch.
"I'd give up anything before I'd give up on you."
"You make me want to be better, too."
"I know, baby." He digs his fingers into my hair. "I want to be with you. All yours. And you're all mine. Is that okay?"
I nod.
He leans closer. "Elizabeth Wilder, I love you. I love you in a way I've never loved anyone."
"I love you too."
He presses his lips to mine. All the cold melts way as I kiss him back. Nick is mine. And I'm his.
Whatever happens, we belong together.
When the kiss breaks, we go back to the reception and we dance the night away.
EPILOGUE
My knuckles are white as I pull the car into the narrow parking space. I practiced this a hundred times with Nick. Foot on the brake, hand on the center console, I put the car in park and turn off the ignition.
Done.
The DMV employee checks boxes on her clipboard. She looks to me with a smile. "You passed, Miss Wilder."
Holy shit. I passed. According to the state of New York, I'm a licensed driver.
"Thank you." I shake her hand and get out of the car.
There's Nick, standing on the curb of the Brooklyn DMV. The rain has his dark hair sticking to his forehead. Otherwise, he's no worse for wear. He looks impeccable in his black trench and jeans.
Better out of them, of course.
I throw my arms around him. "I passed."
"I'm so proud of you, baby." He squeezes me tightly and presses his lips to mine. "I knew you would."
"I don't know how you talked me into getting a license. I go to school eighty blocks from our apartment." I decided to go to Hunter College. It's not the best school in New York, but it's a state school, which means it's in my price range. Between the money I saved working at Odyssey, and me and Kat selling the Brooklyn apartment, I have enough to get me through grad school.
"Because you knew how we'd celebrate." He slides his hands to my lower back and plays with the bottom of my t-shirt.
It's cold today, but even with my coat in the car, I feel damn warm.
"Miss Wilder." The DMV employee calls for me.
"Coming," I yell back.
Nick winks. "Not yet."
My cheeks flush. It's difficult to focus on paperwork. The fifteen minutes feel like hours. When we're done with the DMV. I hand Nick the keys to the car but he won't take them.
"Your turn to drive." He motions to the driver's seat.
The rain is pounding, but I can manage. I slide into the car, buckle up, turn the ignition. Nick is next to me the entire ride. He holds my hand when it's not glued to the steering wheel.
It's early afternoon. There aren't many cars on the road. Driving is still far from my favorite activity, but there are moments—like when Nick squeezes my hand—when I like it.
We park in his garage. Our garage. He asked me to move in last J
uly. It's perfect. I have my own office for schoolwork, a gorgeous room in shades of purple and silver.
But I'm not ready to get back to the apartment yet. Not when the sun is shining through the clouds, and the trees in Battery Park are blooming.
I lead Nick across the street. It's pouring rain. My canvas sneakers are not at all helpful in staying dry, but I don't care.
The cherry blossoms are clouds of pink. The whole park is lined with them. It's just like last year, at Kat's wedding. Just as perfect.
There's a great view from Nick's apartment, our apartment, but it's nothing compared to being here. It's like the world is flourishing in front of us.
The sun casts a glow over the park. Over Nick. He looks like an angel, backlit and surrounded by soft pink cherry blossom petals.
He is an angel. He saved me from losing touch with the world.
I reach up to my tiptoes so I can whisper in his ear. "I love you."
"I love you too." He slides his arm around me and holds me close.
We stay like that until we're soaked to the bone.
He brings his mouth to my ear. "How about we get you out of those wet clothes?"
"Only if you go first."
He takes my hand and leads me back to the apartment building.
Glass walls be damned, the second the elevator doors slide shut, I undo the buttons on Nick's coat and slide it off his shoulders.
He grabs my hips and presses me against the wall. My coat is too slick for me to stay in place. I slide down. Right back into his arms.
A laugh escapes my lips.
"I warned you about the wet clothes." He does away with my coat.
"My turn."
I pull his t-shirt over his head and press my hands against his broad chest. His eyes are wide with desire. No hesitation. No fear.
He's mine.
And I'm his.
And nothing else matters.
I go slow as I unbutton his jeans and slip my hand inside. He's already hard.
He groans into my ear. For a second, I think he'll tell me to stop, that he can only handle me touching him if he's one hundred percent in control.
But he doesn't.
He groans my name.
The elevator dings. Finally. I kick our coats into the penthouse and step inside. He follows right behind me.
The Billionaire's Need: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire's Deal Series Book 3) Page 24
