Chapter Thirty-Nine
Amiya
I open the door to the bride’s dressing room and rush inside. Avie is wrapped in a white silk robe, her hair and makeup perfect, sitting in a chair facing the pedestal dressing mirror, looking as if she’s about to hyperventilate.
“Where have you been?” she asks as I close the door behind me.
“Locked in a closet, letting Lennon feel me up,” I reply.
Her eyes go wide. “What?”
I make my way to her and place my hands on her shoulders as our eyes meet in the reflection.
“Ugh, I’m having an existential crisis here. I can’t stop sleeping with him. I think something is wrong with me. I need a doctor or something,” I say as I adjust the diamond comb in her hair.
“A doctor? What? To sew your vagina shut?” she asks.
“Yes. Maybe.”
“I’m sorry. I really want to help you, but I’m kind of in the middle of something at the moment,” she says, but the panic has left her voice.
“Right. Shit. What can I do?” I ask.
“Can you lock my mother in a closet?” she asks.
“On it.”
She laughs.
“I know she’s been a little nutty through this entire process, but admit it—it’s been nice, too, having a mother fawn all over you, hasn’t it?” I ask.
She blinks tears away as she lays her hand over mine, and we hold each other’s gaze in the mirror.
“Yes, it has,” she whispers.
“You don’t have to act like it annoys you on my account, you know. Momma C might be a tad overbearing, but I’m happy you have her.”
“I know.”
I wrap my arms around her neck and hug her from behind.
“Why am I so nervous? Is this normal?” she asks.
“Sure. All of this is life-changing. You’re twenty minutes and a few vows away from getting everything you’ve ever wanted. And everything that you deserve. I say you’re allowed a little case of nerves. Don’t you think?”
She nods.
“You know I love you, right? You held me together when my life was shattering. You made me get up every morning, you made me laugh, you made me believe everything was going to be okay. I’m here today because of you. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because when I was fumbling around in the dark, you led me to the light so I could find my way to Sandcastle Cove.”
“I love you too. Always. Now, come on. Let’s get you dressed. There’s a super-sexy boat captain waiting for his bride,” I say through tears.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she cries.
“Where else would I be?”
She stands and throws her arms around me just as Naomie comes in, carrying her gown.
“Are you ready for this?” she asks.
Avie nods. “Yes. I’m ready.”
The wedding was beautiful.
The weather was perfect. Even the breeze off the ocean fell still for the ceremony.
As if God had paused everything for a few moments, just for Avie.
Sebastian dissolved into a puddle when she appeared on the beach on her daddy’s arm. Which caused me to start crying. Then the entire bridal party dissolved into a puddle.
After the ceremony, we posed for the photographer. Lennon angled me in a way to hide my peekaboo leg. Which was irritating and kind of sweet. Then, we made our grand entrance into the banquet hall, waltzing our way across the dance floor as Naomie announced us to the cheering crowd and Lennon didn’t step on my foot once. If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn the man had been dancing his entire life.
Now seated next to Allen at the attendants’ table while the caterers serve our entrées, I carefully avoid his glare.
Anson’s amused eyes volley between us.
“So, Allen, is that your Maserati outside?” he asks.
“The burgundy one? Yes,” Allen answers, as if the parking lot is full of Maseratis.
“It’s sweet as hell,” Anson says.
The two fall into a conversation about fast cars, so I stand.
“I’ll be right back,” I announce to the table. Allen looks up and smiles before turning back to Anson.
I stop to admire the cake, which is perched on an elegantly draped table, before slipping out to the powder room.
Milly is washing her hands when I enter.
“Hi,” I mutter.
“Hi, Amiya. Are you feeling better?” she asks.
Feeling better?
“Lennon told me you hyperventilated when you got stuck in the closet.”
I take a deep breath and word-vomit my confession. Letting the cards fall where they may.
“Mrs. Harraway, I’m sleeping with your son,” I blurt out.
A lady gasps as she exits one of the stalls.
I ignore the old biddy and continue, “And I think I might be falling in love with him.”
Another horrified exhale from the eavesdropper causes me to whirl on her.
“Excuse me, do you need me to get you a paper bag so you don’t hyperventilate?” I ask.
“Well, I never. You’re her maid of honor,” the lady scoffs as she hurries out of the restroom.
Realization washes over me.
Oh God.
I turn back to Milly. “Not Sebastian. I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sebastian. I just love Avie, and I’d never ever, ever—I meant Lennon. I’m sleeping with Lennon.”
The corner of her mouth twitches as she places a hand on my elbow and leads me out into the hallway.
“I already knew that, dear,” she whispers.
My mouth falls open. “You did?”
“Yes. They might be grown men who tower over me now, but I raised those boys. I know them better than they know themselves. I see the way my son looks at you. Especially when he thinks no one is paying attention.”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I say.
“You might not have, but I have a sneaking suspicion others played a hand in it,” she says, her eyes snapping over my right shoulder.
I glance behind me to see Sabel and Ida Mae hiding behind a marble column, pretending to admire the lighting.
“I don’t understand,” I mutter.
“Someone called and convinced Avie’s mother that she was needed and should come to the island early. And that same someone suggested moving you to the beach house where Lennon was staying,” she says loudly.
“It was a coincidence,” Sabel bellows before the two of them scurry off.
“I’m so confused,” I say under my breath.
Milly offers me a calming smile. “Lennon is an old soul. He has been since he was a little boy. He can be stubborn and take himself way too seriously sometimes, but he’s a good man.”
“Yeah, too good for me,” I quip.
She reaches up and hooks a finger under my chin. Lifting my eyes to hers.
“What I’m trying to say is, he’s a calm, steady love, and that’s just what a wild, crazy love needs in a partner. Don’t ya think? Someone to love them in a quiet and gentle way. Because two wildfires would burn each other and everything in their path to the ground.”
“You think I’m a wildfire?” I ask.
She grins. “I think you’re Lennon’s wildfire,” she says.
Then, she winks at me and walks back into the banquet hall.
I stand there, staring at the door for a few minutes. Then, I take a deep breath and walk back inside.
The DJ is playing music, and the dance floor is now full.
Sebastian is leading Milly around, and Lennon is holding Leia’s hand as he lets her lead him onto the floor.
When they make it to her daddy’s side, Lennon twirls her, and her dress floats out around her as she shouts with glee.
In this moment, watching as he tugs Leia into his arms and swings her around in celebration, I can see him with a little one of his own. The picture is so clear—a little brown-haired boy with Lennon’s blue eyes and crooked grin.
I’m so lost in the sight of them and the vision in my head that I don’t realize I’m crying until I taste the salt of my tears on my tongue.
“Dammit, Sailor. Don’t go making me want something more,” I whisper to myself as I swipe at my cheeks.
As if he can hear me, he turns, and his eyes meet mine. His forehead wrinkles in concern before he stops dancing and raises an eyebrow.
I shake my head. I’m good , I mouth.