20. Amy #2
Kerry’s hand stays firmly in mine on the center console of the car as he starts to drive, his thumb caressing my skin in a soothing rhythm.
The silence between us is comfortable, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s been a bit of a long and overwhelming day already, and the moment of quiet relieves some of the building pressure of stimulation in my chest.
We’re escorted in by security as soon as we’re out of the car.
I dart for the stairs, wanting to get out of this dress.
It’s beautiful, and my dream wedding dress, but it’s uncomfortable.
Marjorie suggested a second one for the reception, a light and airy white summer dress that hugs my waist and then flows out, and I think she’s a genius.
Kerry carries half of my dress as we ascend the stairs, which I’m thankful for, because I’m fairly certain that I would’ve tripped a hundred times going up these steps if he wasn’t helping me. Yeah, I’m glad I’m not wearing this for the reception.
I hurry to the closet, feeling like my skin was crawling after being in this dress all day. I twist around, desperately trying to tug at the zipper on my back and tangle my dress in my hysterics. Marjorie had helped me into this big thing this morning, and now I have no idea how to get out of it.
A rough chuckle echoes from behind me.
Oh yeah. I forgot I have a husband for these things. I freeze and look over my shoulder at him. He’s grinning, looking way too smug as he takes a step towards me. “Need a hand, love?”
“Yes, please.” The smile I give him is definitely sheepish. I forgot he was there.
His hands are warm as he grasps my shoulders, holding me still.
Kerry leans in, fingers dragging down my spine in a slow glide.
The bastard knows exactly what he’s doing.
His touch sends heat coursing down my belly and between my thighs.
My eyes flutter closed as his lips press kisses along my neck and down my shoulder, his fingers peeling the dress off of me.
“We have to get to the reception,” I remind him in a quiet voice. It sounds weak even to my ears, but I know we don’t have time for this, even if I want it. And gods above, I do.
Kerry chuckles and places one final kiss behind my ear. “I know. I couldn’t resist a little taste of my beautiful wife in between all of the madness.” I smile at his words. He practically sprints to the window, as if it’s the only way he can control himself — by looking away.
A smirk lines my lips as I get changed.
I finish getting into my white summer dress and head to the bathroom to freshen up. Kerry’s waiting for me by the door by the time I’m finished, and I loop my arm through his as we head back downstairs.
The backyard has been transformed into a cozy reception area, born straight out of Marjorie’s and my imagination.
String lights stretch from the house to the hedges, flower boxes brighten every window of the mansion, fancy high back white chairs surrounding antique tables lining the lawn that Kerry had rented from who knows where.
There’s even an area for dancing on the patio, the harpist from the chapel back to fill the garden with angelic music.
I think Marjorie and I struck a pretty good balance between lavish and cozy, which is perfect for Kerry and I.
Alessandro’s grand ball, on the other hand, will apparently make this place look like Versailles or something. I’m excited to see what it will look like.
All of our guests are already present, sipping drinks and chatting.
My eyes seek out Lily right away. She’s standing by the drink table in the corner, eyes scanning over the many scary individuals that are in attendance.
I don’t blame her for being nervous, most of these people are obviously connected to the mafia.
Not exactly people that she and I usually hang out with.
But next to her stands that giant bear of a man.
He looks even more intimidating now, his arms crossed as he surveys the party, looking like he’s ready to rip the head off of anyone who comes near Lily.
Or maybe to make sure that Lily doesn’t run off, I don’t know.
I need to talk to her to see what’s going on and how she feels about everything.
My focus is pulled away as guests begin to notice that the bride and groom have arrived and Kerry and I are pulled into conversation. First by Alessandro, then by some members of the Nameless, and then finally by the O’Neil family.
“Glad you could make it.” Kerry gives Mr. O’Neil a firm handshake.
“Oh, we’re thrilled to be here. It was a beautiful wedding for a lovely couple,” Mrs. O’Neil chimes in. “I’ve been wanting to visit Ireland for ages. I guess we just needed an excuse.” She gives a soft look to Mr. O’Neil, who doesn’t hesitate to return it.
He chuckles and slides an arm around his wife. “We’ve been talking about it for ages. You just didn’t want to leave that damn dog.”
Mrs. O’Neil scoffs and swats her husband playfully on the arm. “You say that as if that dog doesn’t love you more than me. Or anyone, for that matter. Don’t pretend like you don’t adore her, too.”
O’Neil looks at his wife with such fondness that it makes me glance at Kerry and smile at him, too.
I’ve seen that look before when my now husband looks at me.
O’Neil tucks a strand of hair behind his wife’s ear.
“I’m afraid it’s true, that dog has won me over.
Begrudgingly. But she sleeps on my side of the bed every night.
Our Alyssa here named her when she was a little girl.
” He gestures to their daughter standing beside them.
He turns back to Kerry and I. “Princess Puddlecup is a very elderly pup. It’s hard to leave her when she’s so old. ”
I nod. “That would be scary. And trusting someone to look after her must be difficult.”
Mrs. O’Neil’s brow furrows. “You have no idea. Being as old as she is, she can be a very…persnickity girl. She knows what she wants and doesn’t settle for anything less.”
Mr. O’Neil grins. “A queen. Just like her mother.” He squeezes his wife’s arm and she beams at him.
Their daughter looks between them with a look of fond amusement. I turn to her, realizing we hadn’t even been introduced. “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Amy.”
Surprise flashes in her eyes, and then she immediately brightens with a smile that reaches her eyes. “Hi! I’m Alyssa O’Neil. Their daughter. Your wedding dress was gorgeous, by the way. Was it a Morgana Couture dress?”
I pause, surprised by her knowledge of the name of the dress I was wearing. “Thank you. It was. How did you know that?”
Alyssa grins and shrugs. “I’d recognize one of those beauties anywhere, even if I haven’t seen one in person.”
Mrs. O’Neil smiles and pats her daughter’s arm. “Our Alyssa here is a tailor and dress designer.”
“Aspiring designer,” Alyssa corrects. “I just work at a low-level tailor shop in Brooklyn. It’s really not a big deal.”
Mr. O’Neil scoffs. “Don’t let her deceive you. She’s talented and brilliant. She’s going somewhere, just you wait and see.” The way that both of Alyssa’s parents look at her with such shining pride and admiration makes my own chest ache with unresolved parental issues.
The conversation goes on for a bit, until eventually the O’Neil family takes their leave, and we move onto the next guests.
Another twenty minutes pass before I’m finally able to slip from Kerry’s side in search of Lily.
He’s caught up in some discussion about business with some posh English dude in a beautiful suit, but my husband’s eyes track me while I go grab a drink.
He’s distracted by the conversation again by the time I get my champagne, so I dart off towards Lily.
And, just my good luck, Lily’s massive bodyguard is nowhere to be seen.
Lily grabs my hands as soon as I approach her.
“Oh my god. I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been worried, but obviously…
a bit held up. I mean, we call and I find out you’re arranged to be married to some dangerous criminal mafia overlord, and then before I hear anything more and see if you’re okay, I get kidnapped.
I mean, seriously, what’s going on with the two of us? ”
I can only laugh and shake my head as I pull her into a long hug. “I don’t know. It’s been a very eventful past month for both of us. Which is weird.”
“Seriously,” Lily scoffs. “We went from the most eventful thing in our lives being a test in college to…all of this.” She gives me one last squeeze before pulling back. “Are you okay?”
I nod, but the solemn ache of the truth makes my heart sink.
“I cut off my family.” I don’t know why it’s the first thing I blurt out, but it just feels the most natural.
Like I needed to tell her. Even though I did talk to both Marjorie and Kerry about it, my need to tell someone who’s been on this whole journey with me is overpowering.
Both of her eyebrows shoot up. “What? Did he make you do that?” She wrinkles her nose in disgust, like she loathes the thought of Kerry.
I shake my head. “No, he didn’t. They were…being awful.”
Lily scoffs. “When aren’t they? But you’re so loyal. What did they do that’s so severe that you cut them off? And who all are we talking about here? Just your grandparents? Just your dad and grandparents? Or your mom, too?”