Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mila
“Are you sure you want to do this? I’m sure this place has a back exit somewhere that we can escape from. Just say the word,” Mara offers Cora, and if I’m not mistaken, I think she’s one hundred percent serious.
Cora’s eyes widen, then she laughs. “Please, you act like Atlas isn’t about ten minutes away from coming to get me himself.”
Fixing the train of her dress, I smirk. She’s not wrong. The way he loves her is something I don’t think any of us fully understand.
“Okay, but don’t say I never offered you the chance.” Mara shrugs.
“Remind me not to let you give me a pep talk when I get married,” I quip, looking at Mara.
“Oh, come on, Little Elf, we all know that you’re too nice to leave someone hanging at the altar.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Before I can say anything, a knock sounds at the door, and I hear my dad’s voice. “Is everyone decent?”
Opening the door, I give him and my mom a wide smile. “We’re all set, right, Cora?”
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, I admire my best friend’s appearance.
She looks so happy, and it makes me a bit jealous.
I want that. I have that in Kash—a little bit, but she’s taking this huge step, and I sort of envy her for it.
There’s no doubt for her or Atlas about whether or not they’re making the right choice, or if they’re going to work out. Their relationship is absolute.
I don’t even know how to tell everyone that I’m dating the resident ladies' man of Exiled Ink—well, reformed ladies’ man.
Dad looks at us, then at Cora. “You girls are so grown. You’re beautiful, Cora.”
He’s not wrong. Cora’s hair is pinned back in a low bun with a few pieces framing her face.
Her makeup is just light enough that she looks like her natural self—and her blue eyes pop.
She didn’t have much time to find a dress, but when she went shopping with Emma, she fell in love with the first one she tried on. She didn’t even look at any others.
The lacy, mermaid-style dress molds to her petite frame perfectly. It’s almost strapless, with strips of lace resting at the side of her shoulders, and the lower half flares at the knee with a train just long enough. She’s stunning.
Taking a deep breath, she turns toward us.
“Thank you, Daniel.” She leans in and kisses his cheek.
My mom dabs a tissue under her eye, and I feel tears well in mine too.
This is a big moment for Cora, for our family, but I never imagined it would come so soon.
My best friend is about to be someone’s wife.
Kash calls me Wifey a lot, but that’s in fun.
I don’t think he’s really serious about marriage or anything.
I care about him—a lot, probably more than I should at this point, but I don’t know if he actually really wants marriage.
I know I do. I want marriage, babies, and the whole picket-fence dream.
I want someone who’s going to love me in the good times and be ready to battle during the hard days.
I want someone who’s going to look at me at two AM, when I’m covered in baby spit up, and tell me that I’m the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen.
In my mind, I see Kash doing those things, and even though he’s said he’s in love with me, that I’m all he wants, I’m still afraid to believe it.
It feels too good to be true. One day at a time, Mila.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this.” Picking up the train of her dress, Cora loops her arm through my dad’s and heads out the door.
“Let me make sure the coast is clear first,” I offer. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding after all.
“Don’t bother. Atlas has been standing at that altar with Noah for the last fifteen minutes. He’s only leaving his spot if it’s to drag her out there.” Mom laughs.
Once the music starts, I go first, then Mara. We didn’t pair up with any of the guys, knowing the numbers would be off, so we opted to just walk in on our own. Atlas is standing at the altar, his back to us, Kash, Rhett and Seth at his side behind Noah.
Noah and the guys are all turned around as we approach, but Atlas never looks. When my gaze finds Kash, I nearly trip over my feet. I was not prepared for Kash in a suit.
They’re all wearing dark, three-piece suits with white shirts and blue ties.
Kash’s stretches across his broad chest and tapers in at a waistline that I am all too familiar with.
I can see Kash’s tattoo of my lips resting right above his collar as I get closer to the altar.
His heated expression finds mine, and he gives me one of his patented smirks, running his hand through his hair, and that’s when it hits me. What the hell?
His hair isn’t tied back or hanging loosely around his shoulders like I’m used to; it’s gone. Well, not completely. It’s still shaved at the sides, but now instead of his signature top knot, his hair falls in tousled waves. He cut his hair. I was just with him yesterday. When did he have the time?
Taking my spot by the makeshift altar, I make room for Mara and wait for my friend to come next. Sneaking glances at Kash, I’m in disbelief. Why would he do that?
The music changes, and Atlas turns to the entrance. Walking with my father, Cora holds her bouquet of dahlias and smiles as soon as she sees him. Kash pokes Noah, getting his attention, and his gaze lights up when it lands on Cora as well.
Atlas never takes his eyes off hers, until my dad puts her hand into his. “Take care of her,” he orders.
“Always,” Atlas promises, kissing her lips quickly.
“Hey, it’s not time for that yet,” Kash jokes, earning a chuckle from their small audience.
Cora shrugs as Atlas rests his forehead to hers, and we all laugh along. She’s going to be so happy with him.
The wedding flies by in a blur, and I only cried a little bit as they exchanged their vows. They opted for their own, and I have no doubt there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“Cora, my love for you will never end. Even when I’m no longer part of this world, you will never be without my love.
I promise to be the kind of man who deserves you and the light you bring to my life.
I will always support you, protect you, and be the kind of husband you’re proud to have.
I will be the best role model for Noah and our kids.
You’ve made me a better man and have shown me that I’m deserving of love and happiness. I love you, Firefly.”
Atlas wipes a tear from Cora’s cheek as she takes a shuddering breath before starting, “Atlas, you say I’ve brought light to your life, but you’ve brought me peace, home and security in return.
I always thought I’d be alone, but you show me every day with your love and through your actions that I’m not and never will be.
You bring so much joy just by being yourself, and I promise to never leave you in the dark or take advantage of your big heart. I love you, Map Boy.”
Once the wedding is over, and their first kiss as husband and wife is shared, we head straight to a reception in an adjoining room.
The bed-and-breakfast hosts have set up a banquet room with circular tables and blue cloths covering them.
Little jars with lights and flowers rest in the center of each one.
My parents offered to cater a meal for them as a wedding gift, and Emma was able to find someone willing to play music for their small reception.
My face hurts from smiling so much, and it makes me wonder if this is the kind of wedding I want to have.
It seems like a lot of public moments. I don’t think I want all that attention on me.
I just want it to be me and the person I’m vowing to spend my life with.
Oddly enough, the one person who keeps telling me they are it is the one I’ve spent the last ten minutes trying to find.
Normally Kash is attached to my side, but it almost feels like he’s been avoiding me.
We’re getting ready to eat in a few minutes, and I miss him.
Last night, us girls all stayed at my parents’ house like old times, much to Atlas’ dismay.
I assume Kash and the guys had some sort of bachelor party for him.
Before I left, we had a very lengthy goodbye, and I thought for sure I would have seen him before now.
Rounding the corner of the room, I find Kash standing in a hallway by himself.
He’s staring at his reflection, trying to tame his hair.
His jacket is gone, and at some point, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
His tattoos are on full display, including my print on his neck.
With his hair tousled, tattoos and suit vest, he looks incredible.
Men like Kash should come with a warning label. “Hey, handsome. Where have you been?”
Turning to face me, he smiles shyly. This isn’t like him.
“Does it look okay? Do I look okay? God, you look breathtaking.” He looks me up and down.
I was excited when I saw the style of the dress Cora wanted Mara and me to wear.
It has one shoulder piece that stretches across my chest, and a slit up the side. It’s very feminine but sexy.
“Why, thank you, and of course, so do you.” Standing on my tiptoes, I run my hand through his new shorter locks, “Why did you cut your hair, Kash?”
Taking a deep breath, Kash grabs my hands to hold in his. He kisses my fingertips before he explains, “Well, I wanted to look my best for today. It’s an important day.”
“I don’t think your brother and Cora care about your hair, silly.”
“I’m not talking about them,” he murmurs softly, his brown eyes focused on me. “Am I meeting your parents today, Mila?”
He must see the confusion on my face. He’s already met my parents. He’s talked to my dad a bit, so I’m not sure what he means. “Kash, they already know you.”
“Yeah, as Atlas’ brother and stuff, but not as your boyfriend. That’s different. It’s more important.” His dark eyes carry a seriousness that I’m not used to.
My heart aches in my chest. He cut his hair to meet my parents? “I don’t understand. They already know you and like you, Kash.”
Running his hand through his now shorter hair, he gives me an unsure expression.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this side of him.
Kash is always so confident and easy-going, but now he looks panicked.
“Mila, look at you and then look at me. You’re so bright, sweet, and amazing.
You own your own business and create incredible things, and then there’s me.
The tall guy with a top knot, tattoos, and a less-than-stellar dating history. ”
“Oh, Kash. You’re so much more than that. You’re kind and sweet, and you take care of those around you.” Taking his face in my hands, I pull him down and press my lips to his. I pour as much assurance into the kiss as I can. He’s so special and doesn’t even realize it. God, I hate his mother.
My poor, sweet man. I don’t deserve him.
Sure, he started out as those things, but I’ve gotten to know him and seen a different side of him.
It’s the one he reserves solely for me. Kash is thoughtful, funny, and incredibly smart.
I’m not defined by my history, so why should Kash be defined by his?
As I’ve gotten to know him, I've realized he’s not the man I thought he was when we first met.
Sure, he’s still a goofball, but he’s grown into the man he was meant to be all along.
I’m just thankful that he’s given me that part of him.
Kash's arms wrap around my waist, picking me up and pressing my body against him in a hug.
I slide my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, stroking my tongue against his when he opens his mouth.
My fingers find their way into his hair, and I smile against his lips when he groans as I tug the strands.
Our kiss turns from sweet to heated quickly.
An ache pulls in my core, and I'm about to pull back when I hear a voice clearing behind me.
“Ahem. It’s time to eat.”
Oh God. I freeze, then slowly detangle myself from Kash’s embrace. Wincing internally, I look at my dad and nod. “Sure. We’ll be right there, but first, um, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend.”
Threading my fingers through his, I clear my voice and look from Kash back to my dad. I squeeze Kash’s hand in what I hope is reassurance, then smile at my dad’s less-than-thrilled expression. “This is my Kash.”