NINE | Merry Nuptials | Tinsley
NINE
Merry Nuptials
Tinsley
T he diamonds twinkled back at me as I glanced from the magnificent ring and back at Mitt. The greens, browns, and golds in his stare watched my every move as I took everything in. He studied me until he raised a hand, signaling my attention toward a door frame where a gorgeous wedding gown hung. Draped from a hanger in an off-white color, featuring a floral design scattered down the train, was a spectacular mermaid dress made of lace with a sweetheart neckline and a nude underbody.
“Mitt... It’s stunning,” I breathed in awe.
“And it’s all yours,” Mitt declared as he went over to the wedding dress and took it down from the door frame.
“This is way too much. I can’t accept this.”
My fingers grazed along the fabric and my eyes caught sight of the see-through corset with a lace design covering the bust area. The gown was a work of art, a masterpiece, and Mitt bought it for me. I thought back to the phone call on the flight. Not only had Mitt purchased a wedding ring, but a $100,000 bridal dress and that woman he spent his money on was me .
“Vera Wang wouldn’t agree,” Mitt disagreed as he draped the gown over my arm with a dashing smile.
“Vera freaking Wang designed this!” I exclaimed with the sudden onset of dizziness.
Pull it together! Don’t pass out on your wedding day! This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, not a trip to the nearest hospital.
Mitt chuckled. “Yes.”
Mitt had put in extra efforts to make these unexpected nuptials the best it could be. He had surprised me more than any man had in my lifetime, and it hadn’t even been a full forty-eight hours. This had turned into an unforgettable experience, and I was on cloud nine. This might not be the wedding of my dreams, but Mitt Morgan was pulling all the stops to ensure it was close.
“Mitt, I—”
He interrupted, “I even made sure it’s in your size.”
Damn it, Tinsley! Don’t let your stubbornness get in the way! Just say yes to the dress!
I beamed. “Okay! I’ll go put it on.”
I searched around with excitement for the restroom and found it behind me. I didn’t turn back to show Mitt my misty eyes from the joy he had given to me. He had provided me with a precious gift on Christmas Day, and I only fought him the entire way. No more. I was through fighting this man and his gracious gestures. He could’ve let me experience my dream day with a flash of our IDs and our signatures on our marriage license, but he hadn’t. He had done everything in his power to ensure this day was perfect. Mitt was full of surprises, and I wondered what else he had up his sleeves as I undressed. The gown slid over my head and glided over every curve of my body.
Mitt was right. The dress was an exact fit and tears fell down my cheeks. I was a beautiful bride, about to embark on the greatest day of my life, but something was missing. Someone wasn’t here. My best friend, Holly.
I wanted to wait until after the marriage was complete. I was afraid of how she’d take the news, and I fought the urge to tell her. Holly was everything to me, my ride or die. She had been through everything with me when I had no one, and I’d be a wreck without her. Screw this. Holly had to know.
I wiped my tears away at the sentimental moment and pulled my cell phone out of my oversized purse. My trembling fingers found her number and hit the call button. Answer the phone, Holly. Don’t let this be one of those times where I go straight to voicemail.
The line rang once, twice, and Holly answered, “Girl! Where have you been?”
I exhaled. “Oh, thank God you picked up.”
Relief fell over me, but anxiety built right back up. I was about to reveal my whereabouts and who I was with. I was going to tell Holly I was marrying billionaire Mitt Morgan, and I’m standing here in a Vera Wang dress!
“I’ve been worried sick about you!”
“I’m okay. I’m sorry, but I—”
Holly interrupted, “I went to your place. You weren’t there. I went to—”
“Holly! Stop talking. I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
I sucked in a breath and let the secret out. “I’m in Colorado about to marry Mitt Morgan because he asked me to under the mistletoe yesterday at the park and I—”
Holly cut in. “Come again.”
“I’m standing here in a Vera Wang wedding dress worth one-hundred-thousand-dollars, about to marry a man who is a billionaire lawyer, and I barely know him.”
A long pause.
“Holly? Did you hear me?” I asked impatiently.
She answered, “Yes, I did.”
“Well, say something... Anything!” I exclaimed as I threw my hand up in the air and paced the bathroom floor.
“He bought you a Vera Wang wedding dress?”
I stared down at the new wedding band on my finger. “And a fourteen-million-dollar Harry Winston pink diamond wedding band.”
“Where did you find him, and can I have a clone?” Holly asked.
I giggled. “I found him under the mistletoe year after year, kissing him and never knowing who he was until yesterday. Am I crazy?”
“No. It sounds like you’re taking a chance on love,” Holly replied as tears bit my eyes, and I wanted to hug her. “God, I wish I could be there!”
“I do too,” I whispered and laid a hand over my heart. “Holly?”
“Yeah.”
“Am I doing the right thing?” I asked, afraid to hear her answer.
“Since you can’t follow your heart...” Holly replied with a question of her own. “What does your gut tell you?”
My head screamed at me to run. To get on the earliest flight and head home, never looking back. My gut was a different story and every time I peered into Mitt’s eyes, I knew I was meant to be here. Destined to be Mitt Morgan’s wife.
“That I’m finally in the right place at the right time,” I responded with clarity.
Holly breathed, “Then go get your man.”
I giggled with joyful glee, and we shared a tearful moment. Holly wasn’t upset. She knew I was ready, and she wasn’t scared for me. I’d been waiting years for this moment.
“I am, but I had to tell you first,” I admitted and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “You’re my best friend, and I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Well, you have me, and I’ll be there in spirit.” Holly giggled. I imagined her smile. “But we’ll have to celebrate when you return.”
“I’m sure Mitt will have that covered.”
“I bet he will! Send me pictures of that Vera Wang dress and wedding ring,” Holly added, clapping in excitement. “I can’t wait to see!”
“Sending”—I pulled up the camera and snapped a couple selfies—“Now.”
We squealed with joy.
Holly said, “Happy wedding day.”
“Thank you!” We laughed, and the call ended.
Finally, I was ready to become Mrs. Morgan. Holly knew, and she approved. The conversation went better than I had imagined it would. All I had left to do was walk out of this bathroom and head straight toward the man fate had led me to.
Mitt had his back turned toward me when I exited the washroom, and my heels tapped along the floor, drawing his attention. The scene played out before me like in any romance movie where the major lead made her grand entrance. Except this was real life. This moment was mine and the look on Mitt’s face made my heart race. His awestruck eyes took in the sight of me, and nothing could make him turn away.
The beautiful dress Mitt had chosen for his bride-to-be bedazzled him as I ambled toward his side, and the circular train followed behind me. His eyes never wavered, roaming from my head down to my toes and right back up to my eyes. My gaze searched his face for any doubt in his decision, but I couldn’t find an ounce.
Mitt caressed my cheek. “Tinsley. You’re the most striking bride I’ve ever laid eyes on, angel.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my cheeks flushed.
His fingers traveled down my cheeks and over my plump lips. Further down, his nails grazed my neckline as he continued moving toward my shoulder. He ventured down my arm, leaving tingles in his wake until his fingers looped through mine and he squeezed.
“Let’s go get married.”
We exchanged IDs and signed on the dotted line. The marriage took under ten minutes to complete with not one issue. Neither one of us had been previously married or had any skeletons in our closet. We were husband and wife. We even sealed our union with a tender kiss, the same as I had seen in the movies, except butterflies danced in my belly and took flight when he cupped my face. He deepened the passionate caress, and the world faded away all over again. Until our mouths parted and we smiled at each other. We silently accepted that we were officially tied together for all of eternity. Until death did us part.