You're The One (Very Irresistible Bachelors #1) - Layla Hagen Page 0,32
staying. It was right next to Hunter’s ballroom, where the reception and ceremony were taking place.
Hunter had arranged for a driver to pick them up from the airport. The schedule was so tight that I only had time to say hi to everyone, and then my sister, Dylan’s girlfriend, and I were meeting Tess and Skye at the spa. Mom had texted that she was too tired to join us.
I arrived at the hotel before they did, and when the gang came in, I took stock of everyone. Momma had cut her jet-black hair into a bob and had lost a bit of weight. Dad looked the same as ever. I swear the man didn’t age. His dirty-blond hair was cropped short, and he towered over everyone.
My brothers, Dylan and Ian, hugged me first. They both took after Dad. God, I missed them.
“Where’s Hunter? We want to talk to him,” Dylan said at once.
“No, you don’t. I don’t need you to scare off the groom before he says yes.”
Ian rubbed his palms. “We’ll find him without your help, don’t worry.”
I rolled my eyes, exchanging a glance with my sister, Isabelle. She was younger than me, and since I’d left home so early, I’d left her alone to deal with our brothers for all these years.
She hugged me tight, and I didn’t want to let go. After greeting everyone, I helped them check in.
When we arrived in the rooms, a surprise awaited us.
“The rooms are huge,” Mom exclaimed.
Wow. Hunter had booked them suites. When I’d brought up my parents, he said he’d take care of it. I imagined he’d just book a few rooms, not suites.
He was spoiling my family. I had the overwhelming urge to see him and hug the living daylights out of him.
I settled on messaging him.
Josie: Thank you for the rooms. They’re great. You’ve made everyone very happy.
Hunter: Glad to hear it.
Josie: Are you on schedule so far?
Hunter: My schedule only begins in three hours.
Josie: Lucky you.
Mom patted my cheek as I helped her steam her dress. “My sweet girl. I can’t believe you’re finally getting married. You’ll be so happy with Hunter.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled. With a bout of panic, I realized the whole day would be like this, and I’d have to look everyone in the eye and lie to them.
I could do this.
No negative thoughts. No negative thoughts. I repeated the mantra as the girls and I left for the spa.
I wasn’t close to my brother Dylan’s girlfriend, Lina, but I’d heard a lot about her.
“This is so fancy,” she said once we entered the spa.
It really was. There was a small koi pond in front of the entrance, and the inside looked like something out of a fairy tale.
Tess and Skye met us at the manicure stations, where I sat next to Isabelle. We were a little further away from the others.
“How did it happen? When?” she asked. “You need to tell me everything.”
“I already told the story at my bachelorette party.”
“Which I did not attend.”
“And whose fault is that?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sometimes I wish I were more like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You came to the big city when you were a teenager, took the leap. I was always too afraid to get out of my comfort zone.”
“But you’re happy with your life, aren’t you?”
My siblings had all left Montana for college and were now spread throughout the country. Unfortunately, none moved to New York. I was still hoping to convince them to join me one day.
“Most of the time, yes. But don’t let me spoil your big day with my soul searching.”
I wanted to ask her for more information, but she changed the subject, focusing on Hunter.
The next few hours were simply crazy. Never in my life had I undergone so many beautification processes in so little time.
Nothing was just something when you were a bride.
Makeup included a thirty-minute face massage as a first step. Hairstyling was preceded by a three-step care process.
Since the bridal package lasted two hours longer than a regular one, the rest of the party left before I did.
I would change into my dress at the hotel, as that made the most sense. Hunter and I couldn’t very well both get dressed at the house. What if he saw me?
It seemed silly to care about all these superstitions, and yet I couldn’t help it. I wanted to do things the right way, even though...