Chapter 23
Clarke
I sat before the vanity and stared at the gorgeous diamond on my finger. Will did well. The princess-cut diamond was so perfect and bright that it shone from every angle.
Mia rested her hand on my shoulder, snapping me back to reality. “You look happy.”
I looked at her in the mirror. “So do you.”
She smiled, running her hand over her stomach. “I am. But this baby growing in my belly keeps me up at night. My stomach is a mess. I hope I don’t have to puke in someone’s hat during the ceremony.”
I laughed. “If you need to hurl, make a run for it.”
“As long as you’re not planning to run away.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Told you Will would change your mind about him. He has no way with words, but he’s a good man. I know he loves you and will take good care of you.”
I nodded. “He’s not the same person. I made him out to be the villain in my mind because I was afraid of getting hurt again. But he’s proved me wrong. I’m glad I took a chance on him.”
“You look beautiful.” Mia fixed my curls into place. “The stylist did an amazing job with your hair.”
I looked like a different person, someone I almost didn’t recognize.
“Will says he likes me without makeup,” I told Mia.
Mia fixed the strap of her pale pink bridesmaid gown. “My brother will die when he sees you.”
“He better not die on me. Not until he gets to see this dress.”
Our laughter filled the room.
“I’m so pumped to have a sister-in-law,” Mia cooed. “This is going to be so much fun. Wait until the holidays. You better learn how to cook, girl.”
“Will’s a pretty good cook. I’ll leave that in his capable hands.”
The event planner popped her head into the room and called out that we had five minutes until the start of the ceremony.
I rose from the chair, attempting to push the nerves from my body.
We’d done this once before, so why was I shaking like a leaf?
Because this time, I was sober and wanted to marry Will.
Mia sniffed back her tears. “I’m so happy for you and Will. He’s needed a good woman in his life for a long time.”
“Thank you.” I hugged her, careful not to mess up either of our makeup. “I couldn’t have pulled this wedding off on short notice without your help.”
“Clarke,” my mom said from behind me.
“I’ll give you two a minute,” Mia said before walking away.
Mom cupped my shoulder with her hand. “You ready, baby girl? That event planner woman is driving me nuts.”
“She’s just doing her job.”
“Are you sure about this?” Mom held my gaze. “This wedding came out of nowhere. Your father worries about you. So do I. If this isn’t what you want, you need to say so before we walk down the aisle.”
“I’m positive. Speaking of Dad, any chance he’s coming?”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up, sweetie. He’s shaken up about you marrying the hockey player.”
“His name is Will, Mom.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. Still adjusting to the situation.”
I understood most people were not on board with our plans. No one but Mia and Ethan understood why we were getting married. Our relationship wasn’t anyone’s business, anyway.
“Thanks for standing in for Dad. I’m glad you’re here.”
She tapped my arm, a warm smile in place. “I wouldn’t miss my baby’s big day for the world.”
My heart ached at the loss of my dad. We were not close, but he walked me down the aisle for my first wedding.
We danced and drank and had a damn good time.
And now, we were not even on speaking terms. For most of my life, I had wanted to be like him.
To be a famous reporter with a glamorous life.
But now that I was older and wiser, I realized it was never about chasing a dream.
I just wanted his approval and attention, none of which I’d ever gotten and probably would never get again. And I was okay with that. He would come around eventually and regret not attending his only child’s wedding.
My mom fluffed one of the many tulle skirts and fixed my dress into place.
Mia helped me choose the perfect gown. Will had suggested I pick the dress I would have chosen if we were getting married under different circumstances.
Even though we had confessed our love for one another, we never would have had this ceremony.
Maybe in the future, but this was mostly for show.
The wedding planner stepped into the room again. “Ladies, are you ready? We start in two minutes.”
My mom extended her arm to me. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Roman… again?”
“Third time is a charm,” I joked.
Smiling like an idiot, I hooked my arm through hers.
Mia followed us out of the dressing room, ensuring the train on my dress wasn’t messed up.
We shuffled into the hallway, led by several event coordinators with earpieces.
The women communicated our status with the people on the other end of the line.
My stomach churned as we approached the closed doors leading to the event room.
We were having our ceremony in one of the smaller rooms in the hotel, then moving into the large ballroom for the reception.
Will spared no expense for our wedding. He invited half of the NHL, his family, and childhood friends.
You can tell a lot about a person by the people who show up for them. Will might have been a playboy, but he had many people who loved and adored him. This girl included.
Two event planners opened the doors for us. I stood beside my mom, sneaking a peek at Will, who stood at the end of the long aisle. He couldn’t see me from this vantage point. Besides, he was busy talking to Ethan, his best man.
My side of the aisle was empty compared to Will’s.
Most of my family lived in the South and on parts of the West Coast of the United States.
They needed more time to take off from work and book plane tickets.
I hadn’t expected a great turnout on this short notice, but at least Will’s people came through.
His side of the aisle was jam-packed with everyone from professional hockey players to local celebrities.
Even a few of the Phillies and Sixers were in attendance.
All of his Flyers teammates were there with their wives.
Ethan stood at Will’s side. By the looks of it, Will was telling him a joke, the two laughing like no one was watching them.
Callie and the girls from Market House Press were in attendance.
I smiled and gave them a tiny wave as I passed them.
At least we didn’t have to lie this time around.
Our wedding was real, no matter what people believed.
White chairs lined both sides of the makeshift aisle. Pink rose petals dusted the floor. The music started. Mia gave me one final smile before she walked down the aisle toward her brother and husband.
When she reached the end of the aisle, she took her place beside the officiant. The music switched to the bridal chorus. Our guests turned their heads in my direction, all eyes on me. My cheeks flushed from all the attention.
I focused on Will and his smiling face, attempting to block everyone out so we were the only people in the hotel. My mom squeezed my arm, giving me the courage I needed.
As we walked, I slapped on a permanent smile, focusing on Will, hoping I didn’t do something stupid like trip and fall flat on my face. My cheeks heated from the energy shooting throughout my body, which trembled like a leaf. Mom held me tighter, doing her best to steady me.
Will looked so handsome in his black tuxedo, the fabric clinging to his muscular body like a glove. It still didn’t feel real that he was all mine. My husband. For real, this time.
At the end of the aisle, we stopped in front of Will, whose smile touched his blue irises. My mom hugged and kissed me before she offered my hand to Will.
“Take good care of my baby girl,” she said with a warm smile.
She found her place in the front row. And then Will slipped his fingers between mine.
Will pulled me closer and whispered, “Wow, babe. I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “First, put a ring on it.”
“Oh, I plan to do just that, wifey.”
The officiant opened the book in his hand and closed it loudly to get the point across that it was time to start. We took our places in front of him, our hands joined. He went through the usual motions, and then we said our vows and slipped the new rings onto each other’s fingers.
After the officiant pronounced us husband and wife, Will wrapped me in his muscular arms, cloaking me in his masculine scent. He kissed me with so much passion everyone in the room faded. It was just the two of us, consumed by our love.