Avenging Us - Gina Whitney Page 0,84

I cursed to myself. “Is it too much to ask that I have a piece of bacon from an actual pig? This shit is as fake as Giselle’s boobs!”

“Enough about the bacon…I want to hear about Woody and Princess,” Chance scorned, turning back to Cindy with his hand beneath his chin, giving her his undivided attention. I could only roll my eyes, because I had to admit, I was curious, too.

“Fine. He asked me to move in,” she answered nonchalantly, as if it held no meaning.

“Move in?” Chance spat, his hands slapping the table in front of him. “Who knew you were even a thing? You hated him fifteen seconds ago.”

“Yeah, what he said.” I had some idea they were stroking the old flames. However, I must have missed time somewhere or someone wasn’t sharing. “Seems sudden, but hey, no one would be happier than me if you considered it. I’m a selfish bitch.” I shrugged. Why lie?

“That I can attest to,” Chance agreed with a smile and a squeeze of my shoulders.

“There’s a story there, but now’s not the time. Today is your day. Let’s keep it about you, Abel, and that beautiful baby,” she said with a wave of her hand. Chance agreed. I didn’t, but decided to let it go. She wouldn’t budge once she made up her mind about something. But I had to wonder if Abel knew any dirt.

It was time for a subject change.

“Why argue when there’s a perfectly full bottle of champagne?” I asked, holding up the bottle and wagging my eyebrows.

She held out a glass. “Now that’s my Gia.” I poured three glasses while she doled them out. “Here’s to health, happiness, and more babies…” We toasted. “And for Morgana getting what she deserved.” We clinked harder to that one.

“Here’s to Karma,” Chance added, and I knew who he was alluding to. I nodded, not wanting to mention my mother out loud. It was too beautiful of a day to allow her darkness to shroud it.

The rest of the morning and afternoon swept by with lots of laughs between friends. Hair was tugged, pinned, curled, and sprayed. Nails filed and shellacked to perfection. Our makeup painted on flawlessly. I thanked the girls, and Chance handed out some signed swag along with cash for a job professionally well done.

I chanced a glance in the mirror, checking out my look. And for the first time, my reflection left me breathless. My mother’s words no longer echoed in my head as I stared at myself, feeling incredible. The only words that entered my thoughts were Abel’s…my beauty. He’s always seen this in me. It was I who ignored it. But now I saw. And I couldn’t wait to see his reaction, either.

“You know what time it is?” He held my dress by the hanger. “Time to wear the dress, walk down the aisle, and make that caveman the broodiest alpha alive.”

“Wanna know something? I’m not even nervous…” I said, wondering if this was normal. There was a feeling of peace and calm. No need to use my practiced breaths to slow my heart’s beat. Serenity had washed over me.

It was Cindy’s warm hand on my shoulder that pulled my thoughts back to what was going on in front of me. “I’m not surprised G. Just the way he looks at you alone…is there really a doubt?” She sighed. No, there wasn’t a doubt at all. His eyes held all of his emotions, and they were wild with desire, dangerous with lust, and filled with love. He was my truth, and I loved him more than anything. Today was just about binding each other in the eyes of the law. I was already bound to him long ago.

“Don’t you cry…you’ll ruin your makeup and look like shit in pictures,” Chance reprimanded, removing my dress from the hanger while Cindy unzipped the back. I was already in a pair of thigh-highs and bridal shoes. I was fucksure he’d rather me like this, and knew if he saw me standing here now, the wedding would be long delayed.

I stepped into the wedding dress with the help of Cindy. Chance pulled it up, careful not to rip my stockings. Cindy moved to my back and to zip it, securing the bodice.

She stepped aside so Chance could thread the hundreds of pearl buttons as a final touch. “You know you’ll have to scrap the dress once the party is over. Maybe Bella can use it to play dress-up in. No