Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,32
a beautiful headpiece of lace and satin flowers with two short tufts of fine tulle spraying from each side.
“It’s … beautiful.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to get married in your jeans.”
Her heart fluttered. This whole thing was crazy, but River was a firm believer in taking big, wild chances. And right now, the man standing in front of her was a chance she knew she had to take.
“There should be shoes in there, too,” he said. “And stockings.”
She noticed a shoe box tucked in the corner of the larger box, partially hidden by the tissue paper. She opened the box and drew in a breath. Inside were white satin shoes with high, narrow heels, edged with lace, sequins, and pearls, just like the dress. They were elegant and sexy. There was also a pair of long white gloves.
“I’m going to leave you to change. When you’re ready, text me.”
She watched his retreating back. “Kane,” she said as he reached the door.
He turned. “Yes?”
She smiled tremulously. “Thank you.”
He sent her a broad smile, and then left the room.
She walked to the door and turned the lock. She noticed a full-length mirror on one wall and an open door to a bathroom. She freshened up, brushing her hair and fixing her makeup. She glanced at her nails. Today, she was wearing a sunset gradient, from deep mauve shifting subtly through pink to orange to yellow on the tips. Not exactly a wedding mani. Good thing there were gloves.
She found the stockings he’d mentioned in the bag, along with a lacy white garter belt and a white satin evening bag. She changed, then sat and put on the shoes. She went into the bathroom and grabbed an elastic and some hair pins from her purse and swept her hair up into a ponytail, then took one tress and wrapped it around the elastic to cover it. She set the headpiece on her head, pulling her hair up through the opening. She spread the tufts of tulle wider until it formed a halo around her head.
As she pulled on the gloves, she realized there was something inside one of them. She pulled out a narrow box in royal-blue velvet and opened it. Inside was a string of pearls and hanging from it was a teardrop diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.
She fastened it around her neck and gazed at herself in the mirror.
Oh, my God. I’m a bride.
She sucked in a shaky breath then picked up her phone and texted Kane.
Wait there a minute, he responded.
A moment later, there was a knock at the door. She opened it, expecting to see Kane, but instead Will stood there, wearing a tuxedo and holding a lovely bouquet of pink and yellow roses. He was broad shouldered, tall, and just as handsome as she remembered.
“Will. Hi.”
He smiled. “Hello, River. I’m here to walk you down the aisle.”
As he handed her the bouquet, she realized the colors of the roses were the same shades as the pink and yellow in her mani, so it tied in nicely. Had Kane planned that?
“You look beautiful,” Will said, a warm smile on his face. He offered his elbow.
“Thank you.” She hooked her arm in his. “You weren’t on the flight with us.”
“No. I was in Chicago on business,” he said as they started to walk, “so as soon as Kane contacted me, I flew out here to meet you.”
He led her down the hall then stopped outside a double door.
“Before we go in, I just wanted to say something.”
She gazed up at him to see concern in his hazel eyes.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Kane is my best friend and I love him deeply, but I also know that once he sets his mind on something, nothing stops him. I’m worried that in his exuberance, he might be pushing you a little faster than you want to go.”
Man, there was an understatement.
But did Will think they were actually in love and that this was just a case of Kane rushing her to the altar?
“I know this might be overwhelming to you,” he continued, “and that Kane has sworn you to secrecy about the arrangement, so I just want to let you know that if you ever want to talk, I’ll be there for you.”
“Oh, well … Thank you.”
He smiled warmly. “Okay, are you ready?”
She smoothed down her dress and stared at the oak doors.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Chapter Ten
At that, Will opened the doors. River drew in a breath at the sight