Royally Benevolent (Resplendent Royals #4)

61. The Bridesmaid

61

THE brIDESMAID

ODETTE

“ I ’m sweating so much. I look like hell,” Astrid groaned. “I look dreadful, and I want to cry.”

“Stop panicking,” Ingrid said. “You look beautiful, and this is the fun part. Parker will come in here any moment and fall all over himself for you in that dress.”

We waited in Alexandra’s room following the change to our evening attire. I was dressed in my sister’s colours—a deep jade, beaded gown covering all my curves in peak style. Meanwhile, Astrid was in her second white dress of the day. She looked stunning in her choice. Her hair—half down, half up—gave her an angelic, urethral appearance. Parker would no doubt lose his mind when he saw her. He’d even cried during their ceremony.

A knock signalled our quality time as sisters was ending.

“Baby, we’re waiting.” It was Rick.

“Just a minute,” Alexandra called.

She took Astrid’s hand, then mine. I grabbed Ingrid’s hand. She took Astrid’s. We had one more minute together before chaos erupted, and Astrid left on her honeymoon.

“I love you so much,” Alexandra said. “And Parker is wonderful. We are so lucky to have him officially in the family. But it is hard to watch you go and move to Britain for good. We will miss you, but you will always be here.”

“No matter where, you’re always in our hearts,” I promised.

Astrid, choked up, sniffled, “You’ll never be rid of me.”

I rushed to bring her a tissue.

“I am glad you’re staying in the UK with me,” Ingrid said. “But Alex is right. It’s not the same. You found Prince Charming and are having your own beautiful life.”

“It’s hard, yeah. I want nothing to change, even if I want everything with him.”

“You love him. Of course, you do,” Alexandra said through big tears. “But you’re beautiful—sweaty or not.”

We all laughed.

“Girls, c’mon,” Rick whined.

“Coming!” Astrid called.

She held hands with Alex as they approached the door, and I held onto Ingrid. Another sister flew the coop for good, which was bittersweet. Both of my big sisters—our protectors—were married and settled. I yearned to feel the same way and see the man I hoped was waiting for me on the other side of that door.

In the hallway, our dates awaited our arrival. Rick worried Alex was doing too much. Parker wanted to get the nervy introduction as the newlyweds over with. Keir probably just wanted to carry Ingrid off down the hall to do something dirty. I, meanwhile, just wanted to spend the night dancing with Wyatt.

Wyatt looked—as usual—dynamite in a tux. I took his arm as Parker fawned over Astrid. He could be so mushy with her in private. He worshipped her, after all.

“You look beautiful, Odette.”

I let Wyatt pull me into a delicious kiss—one I’d been yearning for all day. I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring everyone around. After all, compared to what Ingrid and Keir got up to, my actions paled in comparison. The British spare was a naughty boy, and Ingrid couldn’t quit him.

“Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself. Thanks for coming. ”

“I wouldn’t miss the dinner and dancing. Promise.”

“I’m sorry you’re not at my table,” I said. “Protocol.”

“I will see you plenty after things break out,” he said. “Besides, how could I pass up a chance to sit with the Brits? They’re the wild ones, right?”

“Right.”

We’d put him at the table with the other British and Norwegian attendees—Keir and his cousins. They were very wild.

“I’ll have fun.”

He gave me another quick kiss. We followed the others to the door and filed in. I dropped him off with the wild royal attendees and took my place at the head table. Alexandra had elected not to be introduced as she didn’t want to upstage the bride. She sat gently in her chair next to Rick. She’d nearly died in childbirth and was putting on a brave face to spare us the indignity of her lack of perfection. Alexandra was queen. She didn’t get a day to look under the weather.

“Introducing—for the first time—The Duke and Duchess of Westnedge!” The MC rang out.

Despite Parker’s protests, he and Astrid had the sweetest first dance to “At Last,” my pick in the battle for first dance songs. I’d picked their band after watching them dozens of times at Keys. The lead singer was an American transplant with a velvet voice.

“They’re so lovely,” Ingrid sighed happily.

“They are.”

I couldn’t help but imagine myself doing this someday. I loved weddings—how couples let themselves get wrapped up in the irrational, beautiful, romantic moments. I loved the idea of saying yes to forever. Still, even now, with Wyatt sitting only feet away, I couldn’t see myself getting the happily ever after. I knew somehow it would never work. I enjoyed the moments I had and focused on those. I didn’t get my hopes up. I knew Ingrid was dreaming about doing this with Keir, but I discounted my feelings. I wished I could be as brave and daring as she was. They were head-over-heels for one another. I loved Wyatt so much. I wanted to spend these moments with him and only him, but it didn’t feel like that.

The more I compared myself to Ingrid, the harder it became to believe anything was real. She found Keir irresistible in ways she couldn’t fight. She longed to be with him all the time, craved spending every waking hour in bed with him, and was even possessive of him. He was even worse with her. We didn’t have that. Our relationship was so different. If so, was it the intense connection I thought it was?

After a nice dinner, the dancing began. The couple had what was typically a parents’ dance. Parker begrudgingly danced with his mother while Rick gracefully took Astrid around the floor. It made me tear up. He’d had the pleasure of walking her down the aisle earlier. Nothing brought her more joy. Rick loved us and didn’t deny that his role as protector and big brother brought him purpose.

The emcee asked couples to dance next. Without hesitation, Wyatt pulled me onto the floor.

“Wyatt, I thought you didn’t want to draw attention. This is drawing attention.”

We picked up a nice rhythm, moving together well. He had impressively good dance skills.

“I don’t mind. Are we not a couple?”

I melted inside for a moment. “We are. And your dancing is superb.”

“Isla loved to dance. I was always clueless, but she taught me. It’s not too bad. I like dancing. And Theo does, too.”

“I know,” I said. “I could spin him for days. He loves it.”

“It’s joy. Joy on two feet.”

Wyatt kissed me. I knew I shouldn’t let him. I shouldn’t be so obvious. Weak in the knees, I couldn’t protest. I never wanted this to end.

“I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity to dance with the prettiest bridesmaid,” Wyatt said. “Who knows when it will come around again.”

“You can say all the sweet nothings you want,” I said. “But I was going to take you to bed with me anyway.”

“They are the truth. You are as beautiful as I’ve ever seen you tonight. I want to lap you up, Odie. God, you’re gorgeous. And full of life. It was a beautiful day. I want to enjoy it with you.”