have planned.”
I reach down and squeeze her hand. “You’ve been a good friend to her. To her and me both. Thank you for that.”
“Always.”
I let her hand go, and we both look back out the window. It’s quiet for several more seconds before she speaks again, her voice quiet and filled with emotion.
“Once it… happens,” she starts, but stops and takes a deep breath. “Please don’t forget that Bryant and I are here for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
It’s hard to discuss or even think about the inevitable, because each time I do, my heart threatens to stop, so I avoid it as much as possible. But it’s still something that’s always in the back of my mind. Like a dark ominous cloud hovering above me.
Wrapping my arm around Jenna’s shoulders, I pull her close and she gives me a side hug. I kiss the top of her head. I know it hurts her to think about it too. “I know.”
We both turn from the window when Gray walks up behind us. He’s decked out in a pair of gray slacks and a black button-up shirt. His black hair, which is normally barely brushed, looks smoothed over with gel. He’s sprouted up in the last several months and is now Molly’s height, much to her chagrin.
“My, my, don’t you look handsome,” Jenna says, smiling at him.
He smiles back timidly, his cheeks turning pink. “Thanks,” he mutters.
It’s cute as hell the crush he has on Jenna.
The door to one of the back rooms opens, and Gemma appears in the mouth of the hallway. She looks so beautiful in the pink and white dress she chose to wear. Her long red hair, which is usually in some form of pigtails, is braided and draped over one shoulder. Her makeup, bless her heart, is a little too caked on.
She walks straight over to me, tipping her head back, her green eyes filled with pride. “She’s ready.”
Bending down, I kiss her cheek. “You sure do look beautiful,” I tell her.
She beams. “Thank you. So does Momma.”
“I’m sure she does. It was very sweet of you to help her get ready.”
“We had a lot of fun.”
Chuckling, I grab the end of her braid and give it a gentle tug. “You didn’t give anything away, did you?”
“Nope,” she chirps, rocking back on her white sandals. “I kept my lips sealed like you asked me to.”
“Good girl.”
Her eyes scrunch up with how big her smile is.
I turn to face the room and quietly let everyone know that I’ll be back out in a few minutes and for them to get ready. After, with my heart pounding in anticipation, I walk down the hallway to our bedroom door. I may have told Owen I wasn’t nervous, but a small part of me is. Not for fear of Molly being disappointed, but because this means a lot to me, and I know it’ll mean a lot to her.
A few days ago, when she said she wished we could relive our wedding day, she had no idea what I had planned. So I know this will come as a shock to her.
Cracking the door open, I slip inside the room. Molly, once again, just as she has many times over the years, takes my breath away. She’s sitting in front of the vanity in a simple white sleeveless dress that Gemma helped me pick out and we both gave to Molly under the guise that she needed a new dress for when we went to the lake house. Her long, gorgeous hair hangs halfway down her back in soft waves. Ever since the time I told her when we were kids that I loved her hair loose, she’s worn it down.
When she turns her head and her gorgeous, green eyes meet mine, I swear I grow weak in the knees. She’s wearing a soft smile that arrests my heart. Her makeup is a tiny bit more muted than Gemma’s, although a little heavy, but it doesn’t take away from her beauty.
“Hey,” I say softly, walking over to her. “You waiting for me?”
“I ammm. Took youuu lonnng enough.” She throws me a wink, then runs her eyes down my clothes. “Yooou look mmmighttty handsssome, Mr. Braaadshaw.”
With a laugh, I drop to my knees in front of her. Pushing her legs apart, I wedge my hips between them before grabbing her hands.
She looks down at me, a frown creasing between her eyes.
“Whaaat’sss wronggg?”
“Nothing.” I smile and bring one