Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Dakota
“I’m kind of confused.” Arizona stands behind me in Cooper’s bedroom, eyeing me in the full length mirror.
“About what?” I adjust the sleeve of my dress.
The dress that I just had to pilfer through three plastic tubs in my horse trailer to find.
I finally moved most of my things to Cooper’s cabin last night, and to say I’m losing my shit would be an excellent description. I’m getting married today. To Cooper Mayson.
“You and Cooper.” She rolls her eyes before she steps up to me, tucking in the tag of my dress.
“What about me and Cooper?” I reach for my cowboy boots, then drop down on the bed to slip them on.
“I thought y’all were like a thing.” Her right eyebrow raises.
“A thing?”
“Dating. Courting. Whatever you old people are calling it these days.”
I burst out a laugh. “We’re friends.”
“That’s a crock,” she scoffs. “And a big fat lie.”
“Arizona!” I push to stand. “We have never crossed the friendship line. It’s firmly in place.”
“Why not?”
“Because. It’s not like that.” I huff, flipping my hair back off of my shoulders.
I’m already sweating.
“I mean, I wouldn’t blame you. Cooper is a baddie.”
“A what?”
“Baddie. Bad. Hot.” She throws her hands up. “I’m going to get on my good clothes. The ones with the fringe. Feels very on fleek for this occasion.”
I snort, almost not believing how alike we are. The look on her face when Ruthie brought her that fringe skirt had me nearly peeing my pants. Ari looked horrified.
I smooth my hands over my white sundress just as Ivy pokes her head in. “Knock knock.”
“Hey.” I twirl around. “Well, for a fake bride, how do I look?”
She smiles, but her eyes don’t twinkle like normal.
“Are you ok?” I cross the room. “I know this is a lot, Ives. And I’m sorry I didn’t come to you with it first. It just happened so fast.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not upset, Dakota.” She sighs, her hands gripping mine. “I’m worried.”
“About what?” I furrow my brow.
“You and Coop,” she admits. “Your friendship.”
I relax a fraction. “Nothing could ruin our friendship. That’s the whole reason he’s doing this.”
“I know.” She nods, then squeezes my hands. “I just don’t want either of you to get hurt.”
“We won’t. Plus, we will have solid rules.” I drop her hands. “Like a contract. Simple.”
“Simple.” She chuckles. “You are anything but simple, Dakota Sterling.”
I stick my tongue out. “And that’s why I’m your favorite.”
She laughs, her head tilting back. “You are one of a kind.” Her expression turns solemn. “And I would love nothing more than for you to be my sister.”
“It’s fake, Ives,” I remind her.
“Is it?” She tilts her head.
“There she is!” Ruthie’s voice interrupts our conversation, just in time for me to avoid admitting the secret that I've been harboring for over half of my life.
“I’m ready.” I hold my arms out.
“You look beautiful.” She grins, her blonde hair in soft waves.
She looks so much like Ivy when she wears her hair down.
“Now, I know you two don’t want a big fuss, but I did bring over something old, and something borrowed.”
“Ruthie,” I scold.
“Oh, stop it.” She twirls her finger. “This is an old necklace my mother gave me on my twenty first birthday, and these earrings are my favorite pearls you can borrow.”
I hold back the emotion as she clasps the necklace around my neck.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You have something new and blue?” Ivy asks.
“My panties.” I grin.
“Gross.” Ivy gags.
“Alright. We have thirty minutes to get to the courthouse. Emmett, Ryder, and Cooper will meet us there. Where is Ari?”
“Present.” Ari slips down the hall; her fringe skirt paired with a cream long sleeve shirt.
Ruthie gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “What a beauty.”
“I prefer the term baddie, but beauty will do,” Ari says casually.
Ivy giggles and I roll my eyes.
“Come on you little baddie.” I wink. “Let’s go find my groom.”