Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Dad . . .” I say, almost lost for words. “I love them.”
“I wanted you to have something that was hers and something that came from me as well. This seemed like a good idea.”
“It’s the perfect idea.” It’s so sentimental and beautiful and completely perfect. I get to have something of both my parents with me as I walk down the aisle.
“I guess it fits the criteria for something old and something new. But don’t feel you have to wear them today.”
“Of course I’m going to wear them today.” My eyes start to well up again at the thought of my mom. She would have loved Ben and our love story and having a daughter whose husband looks just like Daniel De Luca. Except better, in my very humble opinion. I’ve missed her more than ever, planning this wedding, choosing my dress, and picking the invitations. She would have taken so much joy from the entire process. The only thing that makes it okay is that I know she would have been so happy for me. I know she would have loved Ben and how he loves me.
“She loved you so much,” Dad says.
I try to swallow down the lump in my throat. “I know. And I’m so lucky that I got her for as long as I did.”
Dad nods and pulls a tissue from his pocket. He hands it to me, then takes another for himself. He’s come prepared. “Absolutely. We were both lucky.”
“Are you sure you won’t move to the UK?” I dab the corners of my eyes.
Dad pats my hand. “I’ll be a frequent visitor. I have no desire to leave a house that’s seen so much joy. And I look forward to my grandchildren spending summers with me, adding to the memories.”
I nod, thinking back to my summers in Madison County. “They were the happiest times.”
Dad pulls in a breath. “There are plenty of happy times to come.”
I know he’s right.
Before I can respond, Lila, the wedding planner, bursts into the room. “Where are we up to? Are we fifteen minutes away from being ready? The groom is getting restless, and I’m not sure how long he’s going to last without coming up here and ruining everything.”
I laugh. “He can come up if he wants, but I think we’re ready, aren’t we?” I glance around. Melanie’s still in the makeup chair, but at least she’s smiling.
“Zit-gate is under control,” Melanie calls. “We’re good to go.”
Everyone in the wedding party files out. Lila hands me my bouquet as we exit the suite and head downstairs.
I see Ben’s broad back through the crack in the door to the ballroom and smile when his shoulders lower at the opening strains of the processional music. My soon-to-be husband isn’t a patient man. That’s why I know I’m so important to him—he waited for me far longer than he wanted to. Nick looks toward the doors, straining to see what’s going on. Ben is probably threatening to march up the aisle himself and drag me to the altar to speed things up.
The doors open, Ben turns, and our gazes lock. I know I should take in the faces of those seated either side of me, who have all gathered here to see Ben and me get married, including the duke and duchess. But all I see is Ben.
The man I mistook for someone else when we met.
The man I pretended to be engaged to.
The man I thought was a vacation romance.
“You look beautiful,” he says, voice hushed, as I stand before him.
I smile, never taking my eyes from him. “Did I ever tell you that you look like a famous movie star?” I ask him.
I hadn’t believed in happily-ever-afters for a long time, until I met Ben. Now we’re in ours every day. We’re living the scenes the credits usually roll over. And it’s the best part of our entire story.