Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,112

and hips, then flared out, into a waterfall of silk, gathered and bunched at strategic point with crystals. It was horribly clichéd to say I felt like a princess, but I was certainly ready to show up for a royal ball.

My hair was swept to the side, the curls tumbling over one shoulder, exposing the simple diamond pendant Landon gave me.

I hadn’t seen him all morning. After a restless night of butterflies, I’d fallen asleep at two or three in the morning. When I finally awoke, alone as the sunlight streamed between the curtains, I found a small jewelry box on the pillow beside me, and a note that he was looking forward to today being the first day of the rest of our lives together.

I was convinced it was all a mirage, that any moment, the reflection staring back at me would ripple and bend and change, and it was going to be me, back at my dad’s house, staring into the cracked little mirror over the bathroom vanity. I’d be wearing my kiosk apron, littered with buttons about vitamin supplements.

“Pinch me,” I said, to Annie, over my shoulder.

She didn’t hesitate, reaching over to grab my arm with such force I cried out and yanked away. “Ouch! You know I meant that figuratively.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize that,” she grinned. Her makeup was flawless, her smoky eyes nothing but seduction. I didn’t mind being upstaged, not by my best friend. Not today, when I only cared about marrying Landon.

“You’re a bad liar,” I said, elbowing her in the ribs. “But you look really pretty.”

“That’s because you have good taste,” she said, twirling around and showing off the flowing skirts. “This dress is awesome.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“And like I wasn’t going to take Landon up on that spa weekend and shopping trip,” she said, tapping the toe of her new Louboutin shoes on the ground in front of me.

“I’m so glad you’re here with me today,” I said, practically tackle hugging her. In a makeup and hair friendly way, of course. I had my limits, at least on my wedding day

“Obviously. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Even if I do have to walk down the aisle beside your jerkface brother.”

I wanted to laugh, but she knew how much it hurt that we’d still hardly spoken. Six months, and only a few words here and there. I wanted to be close to him again.

I wanted my brother back.

“I’m hoping he comes around.”

“He’s in the wedding,” she said. “That has to be a good sign, right?”

I shrugged, trying not to frown and mostly failing. “I dunno. I think he did it out of loyalty to his friend, not because he thinks his sister is making the right decision.”

“He still doesn’t think you guys should get married?”

“I don’t know, pretty sure he’s running a betting pool on how long this lasts, and the over under is a year.”

“You know that’s not right.” Annie stared at me, as if worried I was taking my brother’s skepticism to heart.

“I know Landon and I are forever.”

“Me too, but that’s not what I meant about being wrong. I mean, of course you and Landon are forever, but I meant you’re wrong about the betting pool. There’s no way your brother is still against this.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“He’s stubborn as hell. He’d skip the wedding if he thought he was still right. If he’s willing to stand up there beside Landon, it’s because he’s been won over. He believes in this.”

I sank into a nearby chair. I’d blocked out everything about Matt in the final days of the preparation, but now it felt more important than ever that he supported this. He was the last piece of my life I wanted to click into place. “I wish he’d just say so.”

“Yeah but then he’d have to admit he was wrong and we both know that’s a long shot. He will probably quietly, begrudgingly come to your side. One tiny gesture at a time.”

I smiled, standing and hugging Annie again. I knew she was right. “I can’t believe you’re the logical one right now.”

“I know, weird, right?”

The door behind her creaked open, and my dad stepped inside.

In an Armani tux.

He looked like I’d never seen him. Clean shaven, his hair slicked back, and a smile that glimmered all the way to his eyes. It was the happiest I’d seen him since the days before my mom’s diagnosis.

“Is it time?” I asked, flicking a nervous glance at