34. Rose
34
ROSE
I stare at myself in the mirror as the hair stylist fixes the last of my curls. The reflection in the back mirror allows me to see the hairstyle better. A messy updo is what she called it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted anything messy, but then she showed me a picture.
It was a messy but beautiful bun. What made it extraordinary were the fresh roses she had placed on the girl’s hair in the photograph. In the past, I’d have asked for the same style without a second thought. Instead, I asked if she could replace the flowers with something else. Now secured in my hair is a silver hair-vine covering the major arch of the updo. Freshwater pearls shine under the light from the ceiling. My makeup is sober for an evening church wedding followed by a grand reception, but it’s the maximum primping I’ve ever received.
Since I’ve been back from St. Peppers, Zander’s words keep buzzing in my ears. He said I give him hope for a beautiful future that he wants to share with me. Sometimes I wonder how I got this lucky. This man, fancied by every other girl, wants a future with me. But why?
I don’t doubt his love. In fact, he’s the one who showed me what love truly means. But I’m afraid to think about our future together.
Will he still love me the same when my flaws bare themselves?
Will he still love me when I struggle to interact with his quick-witted business associates or their wives while we’re at some stuffy office party?
Won’t he be upset if I don’t want to go to such a party?
I’m not an expert on relationships, but I know people fall out of love for much less. And this scares the hell out of me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to bear the pain of losing Zander, and more than that, see him embarrassed because of me.
“Rose, you look beautiful.” Sophia looks at me in the mirror, a weird expression, possibly one of surprise, etched on her face.
“Thanks,” I reply sheepishly. Sophia only arrived yesterday morning and met Oscar and his family during the pre-wedding dinner. I thought the mother of the bride would be more involved in the wedding preparations, but not always, I guess.
“You are most welcome.” She pecks me on the forehead before taking my hand and leading me to the window, away from the other ladies. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to meet Zander and talk to him for a while.”
“Um… really?” I’m surprised by her request. So far, she hasn’t asked me anything about Zander. Even when Kristy brought up Zander and his brothers multiple times, Sophia showed no interest.
She nods. “Introduce us during the reception. I can have a word with him before I leave tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yes. I’m only a few hours’ drive. Kristy can visit me anytime she wants.” Sophia doesn’t need to explicitly mention I’m not as welcomed as Kristy in her home. My previous excitement lessens, and the familiar feeling of loneliness revisits me. Before my mood sobers further, a tweet sound from my phone alerts me of a text, and my lips twitch into a smile.
Zander: We’re at the venue. Dying to see you.
“Is that him?”
I jerk to look up at Sophia. How easily he turns my mood; his words already made me forget Sophia and whatever she was saying.
I nod to her as Zander’s next message arrives.
Zander : Dying to kiss you, taste you, hug you. Meet me soon.
My face heats with anticipation.
“Don’t forget to introduce us.” Sophia raises her eyebrow at me as she glances at my blushing face.
Standing at the altar behind Kristy, I look around and find Zander sitting in the third row with Zach and Zane. The three brothers stand out in the crowd of expensive suits and fancy dresses.
Zander looks breathtaking in his black tux and bow tie, his hair slicked back as if he just stepped off the screen of an old movie. He gives me a once-over, his sensual stare gazing at some parts of my body longer than others, making me delirious.
How does he do it, turn me into a hot mess by just one look?
The officiant starts the ceremony, but I have no clue what’s going on. I’m totally lost in Zander and the way he’s staring at me. We’re pulled back to reality by the loud claps and cheers of everyone around, and I realize the ceremony is already over.
I hug Kristy, who is beaming with happiness. “I’m so happy for you, Kris.”
“Thank you so much. I’m happy for you too.” She squeezes me back and looks in the direction of the three Teager men.
“Wow! How do you tolerate so much hotness?” Clementine gushes, fanning her face with her hands and eliciting a giggle from every girl around us.
As everyone congratulates the bride and groom, someone shouts, “Kristy, throw the bouquet. Let’s see who the next lucky one is.”
I don’t want to be a part of this crazy custom, but I’m crushed between Clementine and her cousins. As I make another unsuccessful attempt to get out of the crowd, there’s a shout. “Here it comes!”
I stare at the purple-and-white bouquet of peonies, clematis, and wax flowers heading my way. Before I get a chance to deflect, it lands in my hands, and everyone starts cheering my name. My nervous gaze automatically drifts to Zander, who has a broad smile on his face.
“Lucky Rosie!” Kristy squeaks before hugging me and not-so-covertly winking at Zander.
After the wedding ceremony, everyone is ushered to the dinner reception venue in limos. As a part of the bridal party, I’m sharing the ride with Oscar’s family rather begrudgingly. I wanted to talk to Zander, be with him. I saw him approaching me, but before we could talk, Clementine dragged me into the car. Zander seemed equally irritated as he watched me leave.
When we arrive at the reception, I’m seated next to Sophia at the center table. I can only see Zander from afar.
Finally, after an emotional round of speeches, the guests scatter, and I make a beeline to find him. At a distance, I see Zach and Zane, but there’s no sign of Zander. Before I can approach them, Zander materializes before me, and without saying a word, drags me to the coat closet.
“I was getting worried that I wouldn’t get you alone today.” He wraps his arms around my waist as we both stand in this faintly lit space while the wedding party is buzzing outside.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hello, couch girl.” A huge smile appears on his face. I’m sure I mirror his expression, happy that we’re alone at last. After placing a quick kiss on my lips, he takes a step back and crosses his arms over his chest. He cocks his head to the side and ogles me head to toe.
“What?” I suddenly feel shy.
“Nothing. Just looking,” he says with that smile girls die for. But it’s just adding to my embarrassment.
“Stop it!” I take a step forward and playfully smack his chest.
“You take my breath away.” He grabs my waist. “I’ve wanted to kiss you so bad since you walked down the aisle, but I didn’t want to mess up your makeup.” I feel his heavy breath on my forehead as he gently places a kiss there.
His fingers play with some loose strands. “This hairstyle looks gorgeous on you.”
“It’s a messy updo.” I peer at his beautiful face, and his eyes crinkle as he smiles at my words.
“How did you agree to anything messy?”
As always, I’m amazed at how well he knows me. “I didn’t. Not until she showed me the picture of her previous work.” I turn around, giving him my back so he can see the style better.
“I love it.” He pulls me closer, placing gentle kisses on my neck and making me shiver. “I’ve been sitting with a boner since you walked toward the altar.” And to prove his point, he gently thrusts his hips forward.
“Crab!”
And what a boner it is.
He chuckles and nuzzles my neck. “I’m totally in love with your swearing. ”
“Only my swearing?” My words come out as a breathy whisper.
He turns me around so fast that my already dizzy head spins.
“I love your every bit. Each and everything about you makes me crazy, Marr. My heart beats so fast whenever you’re around.” He places my hand over his pounding heart. “And when you’re far, it thrums with anxiety.” I can feel my own fluttering heart beating in sync with his. “I love you so much that sometimes it’s fucking painful. But I want it no other way. When you’re around, everything becomes insignificant. It’s only you that I want, need, and crave.”
“Zander.” I didn’t expect an honest confession of love. I thought we were doing our usual lighthearted ribbing. But this person in front of me, with such raw emotion in his gaze and words, scares me. I close my eyes and clutch him tight. Moments like these that I get with Zander, give me hope for a wonderful future, and I don’t want this feeling to end.
“Look at me, babe. Open your eyes. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Without you, I don’t fucking exist, Marr.”
When my eyes finally open, they meet his deep gaze, a little strong and a little in pain. I throw myself into his strong arms.“Zander, did something happen?”
I feel his head shaking. “Sometimes I can’t bear the thought of being away from you.”
I pull back just an inch. My heartbeat is wild as I glance into his eyes. “Are… you going… somewhere?” It’s not normal for Zander to freak out.
“No. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you. I hate living so far apart.” He rubs my back, sensing my anxiety.
“Me too.” I hide my face in his chest and breathe his vanilla smell, trying to calm my racing heart.
“I was thinking—” He’s silenced by a soft knock on the door.
“Zand-d-der?”
We look at each other, neither of us saying a word.
“I know you’re t-t-there. Zach saw you s-s-sneaking in.” My face heats with embarrassment. “Kris-s-sty’s mom is looking for you.” Zane knocks on the door once more before we hear his receding footsteps.
“Sophia wants to talk to you. Alone,” I tell Zander and look for any sign of hesitation in his face. But there is none.
“I would love to meet her.” He caresses my cheeks and places a kiss on my forehead. Taking a deep breath as if breathing me into him, he says, “Let’s not make her wait.”