Connection (Temptation #6) - K.M. Golland Page 0,77

sealing our engagement with the softest of kisses. A wave of warmth and insurmountable joy crashes over me, and I giggle and hug him tight, peeking over his shoulder at the stunning diamond on my finger.

“It’s a princess cut,” I say.

He scoffs, as if there was no other choice. “Of course.”

The puppies bark, and I drape my hand over the side of the bed, my fingers soon gobbled up in slobber and sharp teeth. I have everything I’ve ever wanted: the perfect guy, the perfect job, a home, and kids. Animal-kids.

Often, our fairy tale can seem out of reach, but the magic of fairy tales is what we make of them, because we’re all princesses, with or without a prince.

I’m just lucky I finally found mine.

Epilogue

“Is it too much?” I ask Carly, Fiona, and Alexis as I twirl my Cinderella-inspired wedding gown, silk, tule, and shimmering chiffon swishing as I spin one way and then the next.

Fi playfully rolls her eyes. “Yes.”

“No!” Alexis places her hands on my shoulders and turns me to face the mirror. “It’s not. It’s almost perfect.”

“Almost?”

“You’re missing one thing.”

“Oh! Of course! My tiara!” I hoist up my dress and skip to the bedside table in the bridal suite of City Manor, a 19th century homestead that Bryce bought a little over a year ago.

Nestled among pristine rose gardens and perfectly manicured hedges, City Manor sits on a generous allotment on the city’s fringe. When Bryce showed us his new acquisition with the intent to bring a country escape to the city, I couldn’t believe my luck. It was absolutely perfect. Mystical, magical… a fairy tale castle in a fairy tale setting.

Collecting the delicate crystal tiara in my hand, I bite my lip. “I completely forgot to give this to the hairdresser to put in my hair. I’m such an idiot.”

“Here.” Carly takes it from me. “I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure?”

She points to her head. “This doesn’t just happen. It takes skill and know-how.”

“But you didn’t do your hair, Carls. The hairdresser did.”

She scoffs. “Not today, I didn’t. But every other day, I do.”

I look to Alexis and Fi for support, and they quickly turn around and busy themselves.

Carly huffs. “Just stand still. I’ve got you. Haven’t I always got you?”

Tears prick my eyes, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the tiara now digging into my scalp or because of my best friend’s words.

“Yes,” I whisper. “You have always got me. And I know I don’t tell you this enough, but I’m so thankful you do.”

She studies the top of my head before glancing down at me face, her smoky eyes glassy. “Don’t you dare cry, Labia. You’re ugly when you cry. You can’t be ugly today.”

I choke on my teary laugh and splutter, “Bitch.”

Carly plumps my red curls to sit on my shoulders then steps back, holding me at arm’s length. “There. Almost perfect.”

“Almost? Why do you both keep saying ‘almost’?”

She glances at Alexis, who steps up to me with a white box.

“We thought you should wear these,” Alexis says.

Curious, I take the box, lower myself onto the corner of the bed, and open it to find one Jimmy Choo replica glass slipper.

“Oh my God!” I shriek. “Are these Cinderella’s—?”

“Yes!” Alexis nods like a maniac, her teeth almost brighter than the crystals on the expensive and overly extravagant high heel.

“But…” I suspend the shoe, rotating it in my hand.

Hundreds of tiny crystals embellish the entire satin surface, accentuated by a large crystal flower motif on the toe. I’m almost afraid to touch it for fear it’ll smash in my hand.

“H-How?” I stutter. “Hang on, wait!” I lift the tissue paper in the box. “Where’s the other one?”

Alexis takes the stiletto from me, lowers to her knee, and slips it onto my foot. “Where do you think it is?”

I wrack my brain for the smallest of seconds before recognition dawns. “Will!” I laugh. “Of course he has it.”

Carly smiles then collects three bouquets and hands one to Fi and one to Alexis. They all turn to me, each of them stunning in powder-blue, body-hugging gowns.

“Are you ready?” Carly asks

“No. How am I going to walk down the aisle in one shoe?”

“If Cinderella can do it, so can you.”

“You’re right,” I say, standing up. I point my shoe-covered toe. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Gathering up my dress, I hobble toward the door when it opens, and Dad pops his head in, Mum not so reserved as she barges past him.

“Come on, Elizabeth. Everyone’s waiting.” She gives