Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
Scarlett
Even from the third floor, the muffled sound of voices hums through the house, pulling me from the best dream I’ve had in years.
Brendan is sprawled next to me in those adorably ridiculous pajama pants, his arm heavy and warm around my waist. After the rehearsal dinner, we were both so exhausted that we fell asleep watching TV.
I take in the soft outline of his face, the cut of his jaw, the way he looks so peaceful. Then I turn my head and see the time.
Wait. It’s 8:30?!
I was supposed to be downstairs already. Two hours ago.
“Brendan!” I shake him a little. “Wake up! We’re late!”
He cracks one eye open, squinting like it’s too early for someone to be using words. “What time is it?”
“Eight thirty! Pictures start at ten, and my hair and makeup take at least three hours. I promised Carmen I’d set up some breakfast pastries for the wedding party. I’m in so much trouble.”
He doesn’t move, but just lies there like a man who has absolutely no concept of wedding-day urgency.
I poke him in the ribs. “Seriously. We need to get up. Everyone’s already at breakfast.”
“Let them eat.” He flops face-down into his pillow and ignores me. “Wake me when you get out of the shower.”
“Brendan Marco.” I climb back onto the bed, kneeling beside him. “You cannot go back to sleep. It’s your sister’s wedding day!”
I grab a pillow, and before I can smack him, he catches it with one hand without even looking.
Okay, so even half-asleep, he’s got excellent reflexes, thanks to his military training.
Showoff.
“You’re very bossy in the morning,” he says, cracking a smile without opening his eyes.
“That’s because I made promises. And I can’t keep them if you don’t get up.”
He finally props himself up on one elbow, looking unfairly adorable for someone whose hair is sticking up. “And this involves me how, exactly?”
“I’m using you for your muscles.” I scoot to the edge of the bed. “You’re basically my pack mule to carry everything upstairs to the bridal suite.”
“Never been compared to livestock before,” he deadpans. “How romantic.”
I reach back to unclasp the delicate gold necklace I forgot to take off last night. My fingers fumble with the tiny clasp. “Come on. We have to take care of this so we can get to the fun part.”
“This is a fun part.” He sits up fully, rubbing his eyes. “As long as I get to watch you panic about being late. It’s extremely entertaining.”
“I’m not panicking,” I protest.
“You are panicking.”
“Fine. I am. I just don’t want to blow your sister’s big day.” I give up on the necklace clasp and turn my back to him, lifting my hair. “Can you get this unclasped, please?”
His fingers brush the nape of my neck as he works the clasp free. The chain slides away, and instead of handing it to me, he sets it on the nightstand.
Then his lips find the exact spot where the necklace was and heat roars through me like a blowtorch.
“Bren,” I say weakly, my resolve slipping away. “We don’t have time for this. Didn’t you hear the part about being late?”
His hand slides to my waist. “Who needs pastries anyway?” He pulls me back against him. “They’ll survive without them.”
He kisses across my shoulder so slowly that it makes me forget what day it is.
“You’re very good at this,” I murmur, closing my eyes and trying to remain firm, which is a losing battle at this point. “But we, uh, have to stay on schedule.”
“Schedules are overrated,” he murmurs, ignoring me.
I look at him over my shoulder. “Carmen will kill us both!”
“At least we’ll go down together.”
“How can you crack jokes at a time like this?” I slide out of his arms before I liquefy completely. “We can flirt with danger later. Right now, I’m in emergency bridesmaid mode.”
He leans back against the headboard, watching me with a smile that makes my stomach swoop. His eyes drop to the oversized shirt that I stole from his suitcase because it smells like him, and the matching heart shorts peeking out underneath only seem to add to his distraction.
“You’re making this very difficult, you know that? Walking around in my t-shirt like that.” He climbs off the bed, sauntering toward me with a dangerous smile. “And my willpower is not nearly as strong as yours.”
“Focus, Marco.” I press a hand to his chest. “Don’t think you can use those bedroom eyes to lure me back to you. I’m going to have a will of steel today.”
He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Should we test that theory?”
As it turns out, my willpower is as thin as cheap toilet paper.
His mouth slants over mine, kissing me so long and deep that I forget what I’m supposed to be doing.
When he pulls away, his mouth curves into a smirk. “That’s to remind you what you’re missing for the rest of the day.”
My jaw drops. “That was a dirty trick, Brendan Marco.”
His laugh rumbles across the room. “Well, yes, it probably was.” Then he kisses the tip of my nose, before stepping back with a grin that should be outlawed. “Now go. Before I really make us late.”
I grab my robe from the chair and pause at the bathroom door. “By the way, I’m hoping I can talk to your uncle about the vendor contract at the reception tonight.”
“Yeah?” he says, looking through his closet. “What are you going to say?”
“I have more ideas I want to share with him. I’ve been thinking about menu options.
” I’m getting excited just talking about it.
“You know, this contract would really boost my dad’s spirits—give him something positive to focus on.
” I hug the robe to my chest. “Since it’s Carmen’s wedding day, everyone will be in a good mood. Seems like perfect timing.”
Just then, I hear the bride’s voice in the hall, yelling, “Scarlett and Brendan! Where are you?”
I shoot a panicked look at Brendan. “I’m not dressed yet!”
“Go.” He shoos me toward the bathroom door. “I’ll take care of the pastries and my sister.”
The rest of the morning flies by as my hair is curled and shellacked with hairspray into a style meant to last until next year—or at least through the reception.
It’s an elaborate twisted updo with curls cascading over my shoulder, a style requiring two stylists, three curling irons, and approximately forty-five bobby pins.
But it’s nothing compared to Carmen. She’s absolutely stunning in a form-fitting satin gown which has intricate beading across the bodice, and then flares out at the bottom where her train fans behind her.
By the time the ceremony starts, the backyard has been completely transformed into a romantic fairy tale.
The gardens are in full bloom, roses and hydrangeas spilling over every surface.
An enormous arbor draped with blush-pink roses awaits the bride and groom, while large bouquets of lilies, hydrangeas, and peonies fill buckets lining the aisle.
White lights hang from every tree in the garden, casting a soft glow over everything.
A few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined it—not just attending this wedding, but actually being part of it, as Carmen’s bridesmaid and Brendan’s date. How is this even my life?
By the time it’s my turn to walk down the aisle, Isabella and Elana are already wiping their eyes.
That’s when I get a clear view of Brendan standing next to the groom.
His shoulders are squared, hands clasped neatly in front of him, every inch the composed Coach Marco.
The moment his gaze finds me, his face softens, the controlled mask drops away, and he’s just my Brendan, smiling like we’re the only people in this garden.
I belong to this incredible man who accepts me just as I am. And it takes everything in me not to lose it.
Don’t cry. You’ll ruin three hours of makeup.
Somehow that smile is enough to carry me through the entire ceremony.
By the time it’s over and Carmen and Tony have walked back down the aisle together, Brendan catches my hand, bringing my wrist to his mouth to sweep a kiss across my pulse.
“Meet me behind the carriage house,” he says in a low rasp. “Five minutes. And don’t tell my sister.”
“We’re supposed to take pictures right after this.”
“Five minutes,” he repeats, his eyes holding mine. And then he leaves.
After congratulating the bride and groom, I make an excuse about needing some air and then sneak off to the carriage house.
Brendan is waiting when I get there, leaning against the brick like he doesn’t have a care in the world. His jacket is off, sleeves rolled up to his elbows showing off the rose tattoo, collar unbuttoned, and tie loose.
The moment he sees me, he opens his arms.
I walk straight into his embrace. “We’re going to be in so much trouble if we’re late to pictures.”
“I like trouble.” His hands hook around my waist. “Especially when it looks like you.”
“Smooth, Marco.”
“I’m serious.” He pulls back just enough to look at me, and the expression on his face steals my breath. “Don’t tell my sister, but you stole the show today. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”
A smile tugs at my mouth. “Did you bring me back here just to make me blush?”
“No.” His fingers trace along my collarbone, leaving goose bumps in their wake. “I wanted to give you something.”
He slips a long, thin box from his pocket and hands it to me.
“What is this?” I stare at the unexpected gift.
“Just something to remember this day.” He looks nervous about whatever is inside. “Open it.”
I take off the lid to see a teardrop diamond necklace that looks shockingly identical to my grandmother’s earrings.
“Brendan,” I gasp, pressing a hand to my mouth.
“Remember when you lost your earring in the car and I almost drove off the road?” He smirks. “This is to go with your grandmother’s set.”
I’m about to cry. “What’s the occasion?”
“I knew you were going to wear those earrings today and thought you deserved a matching set.” His fingers brush my earlobe. “Hope that’s okay?”
“More than okay.” I pull him into a hug. “This is the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
“Get used to it, Scarlett.” His voice lowers to a rasp. “Because I plan on spoiling you like this for the rest of my life.”
I pull back, lifting an eyebrow. “That’s a pretty big promise, Marco.”
“I’m a pretty committed guy.” His thumb traces my mouth. “Especially when it comes to you.”
“Will you put it on me?”
I lift my hair as his fingers brush my neck, settling the diamond at the base of my throat.
I turn back to face him. “How does it look?”
“Like it was made for you.” He cups my face and kisses me before I can respond.
Just like that, I forget we’re supposed to be at a wedding, with hundreds of people waiting on us. Everything goes blurry as the air hums around me.
More. This. Yes.
It’s only when I hear a delighted gasp that my eyes fly open to find Isabella, Rosa, and Elana standing at the corner of the carriage house, hands clasped to their chests like they’ve just witnessed a proposal.
“Mom?” Brendan steps back like we’re teenagers who’ve just been caught making out on the front porch.
“Oh, don’t let us interrupt!” Isabella waves her hand, beaming. “We can wait. Take all the time in the world. We just wanted to let you know that family pictures are next.”
“The entire family,” Rosa adds with a knowing smile. “Which means both of you.”
Brendan looks down at me. “To be continued?”
I touch the necklace around my neck. “Please.”
He brings my hand up, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Let’s go, before my mother decides to give a play-by-play commentary on our kissing.”
“I heard that!” Isabella calls after us.