father. “Hi Papa,” she said, kissing his cheek. Having him back in her life had been so much more than she had ever expected. They spoke weekly, sometimes more. She would harp on him to make sure he was eating right because she needed him in her life for a long time to come. He would then be all fatherly and remind her to take care of herself and his grandchild. Mia loved it.
“Hi, ma fille. Still like to push the time, I see,” her father said with a wink.
Forever late.
It wasn’t going to change now.
Adjusting the straps of her short, plum summer dress, waistless to hide the small bump beneath, Mia’s eyes landed on the man responsible, her face splitting into a wide grin as she took in Ethan. His khaki pants that fit too perfectly and his maroon polo that made those golden eyes of his stand out. She kept her eyes on her husband-to-be. Tomorrow, that sexy man would be her husband. She would finally be Mrs. Ethan Christopher. That thought made her smile grow even wider. She wouldn’t be surprised if it reached her ears.
The wedding planner from the alien planet of Getting Shit Done loudly harrumphed and gave them the evil eye. This woman was good. She’d planned the entire wedding in two months and Mia just knew it was going to be beautiful.
The wedding and reception would be held on a large secluded piece of land that Marty’s family owned along the Lake Michigan coast about an hour north of Chicago. The property was adjacent to the Locke Family compound. Mia would be getting ready there before the ceremony, which would be held under the canopy of trees looking out onto the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan. Their guests would sit on either side of a large path that led to the lake. Simple, white wooden chairs lined both sides. Right now, no one occupied them, but that would change at five tomorrow evening.
The reception would be under the stars. Multiple tents had been used to create one big area. Some parts were open on top and held small, intimate seating vignettes. Mia couldn’t wait to see what it looked like all lit up tomorrow.
The music started, bringing Mia back from her future to the rehearsal, and then Stalin’s better half started spewing out commands, telling everyone what to do, where to go, how to stand. Kaitlyn walked out first, followed by Allie, who along with Luke made up her best people. Luke, her best friend and also Ethan’s, stood by Ethan’s side, watching with a proud smile as Kaitlyn took her place. His eyes changed when they landed on Allie.
Whoa!
That look … she knew what was happening in those hazel eyes of his: desire.
Luke wanted Allie. Interesting.
Her father gave her a squeeze and Reagan gave them a forceful push. “Now here comes the bride …”
Mia took a deep breath and made her way to the front of the church with her father right by her side. Luke gave her a wink, and in return, she gave him her tongue. Her gaze then landed on Ethan and the world around her muted. All she saw was him. She didn’t stop where she was supposed to. No, she went right to him and kissed him—hard.
“No, no, no!” the Supreme Commander of all things wedding exclaimed, pulling her from Ethan. Mia held firm as her lips caressed his yet again.
“I love you,” Mia said to Ethan, letting Reagan drag her in place. Her fiancé laughed along with everyone else there.
“Kissing happens at the end! Remember that!” the wedding dictator scolded Mia.
“I’ll try, but look at him!” she replied, staring at Ethan, his mouth turned up wickedly.
That smile and that kiss were going to torture her until tomorrow night because of Ethan and his stupid notion to not have sex until the wedding night. It had been two weeks already! She wanted to jump him so damn bad right now. Hell, she wouldn’t even care who knew. With a slight shake of her head, Mia focused on the rehearsal. She really didn’t want to mess up her wedding tomorrow because she couldn’t stop thinking about sex with Ethan right now.
She kept the connection with Ethan as Reagan ran through what they all had to do and when the priest finally said, “You may now kiss the bride,” Ethan did so, his palms capturing her cheeks, his fingers pushing their way into her mess of hair, and kissed