Page 143 of Redemption
“They’ll be here in twenty-five minutes.” He adjusted himself, and I tried to ignore the bulge in his pants.
“You were so sure I was going to say yes, huh?” I teased.
“Considering how enthusiastic you were when I mentioned marriage, I figured you’d say yes to marrying me. As to the quick wedding…” He lifted a shoulder.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Yikes!” I jumped up out of the bed. “I need to shower.”
“I’ll help.” He flashed me a wicked grin.
“No.” I pushed him toward the bedroom door instead. “I’ll never be ready on time if you join me.”
“Later, then?”
I shook my head. “It’s the night before our wedding. You’ll have to stay somewhere else.”
He frowned. “Oh, so we’re going to observe that tradition?”
“It’s only one night. And…I don’t know how you feel about it, but I’d like to give you a wedding ring.”
“Of course I’m wearing a wedding ring.” He looked offended.
“Okay, then.” I bit back a smile, loving how serious he was about this. “Text me your ring size, and… Wait. What else do I need to take care of?” I asked, my mind still trying to catch up with everything.
He glanced down at his phone. “Jasper wants to know if you have any color palettes you love or hate?” he asked, following me to the bathroom. I started the shower, knowing I was short on time. Jackson got dressed while we quickly brainstormed our wedding.
By the time I’d finished, we’d sorted out most of the details. He wrapped a towel around me, then kissed me. “See you tomorrow, fiancée.”
I laughed. “That’s probably the only time you’ll get to call me that. This is the shortest engagement ever.”
“Good.” He paused, grinning. “Because I can’t wait to call you my wife.” He gave me a quick peck, and then he was gone.
I sat there in shock for a minute before leaping into action. I called Greer while I got dressed. I think she screamed for a minute straight because she was so excited that we were officially going to be family. I should’ve never doubted her.
I was just finishing breakfast when there was a knock at the door. I peered through the peephole and smiled at the sight of Emerson, Brooklyn, and Kendall.
“Congratulations!” they said in unison as I opened the door.
“Thank you. Thank you. Come on in. Room service will be up shortly with some snacks and drinks, or feel free to order anything off the menu.”
It wasn’t long before Jay and his team arrived. The rest of the day passed in a rush of fittings and wedding band shopping and pampering at the spa and just so much fun with some of my favorite people.
Brooklyn went home after lunch. She’d muttered something about needing time to prepare for something, and I wondered what that was about.
Greer arrived late afternoon, and the moment I flung open the door, she threw her arms around me. “You’re going to be my sister for real.”
We laughed and cried, and I was so happy. “Jackson thinks I’m marrying him, but we both know I’m actually doing this to legally be your sister.”
“I knew it!” She wiped away a tear and then stood aside.
Belinda stepped forward, taking my hands in hers. “Oh, Sloan. I’m so very happy. I always suspected there was something between the two of you. Whenever you two are in a room, there’s this…energy. Electricity.”
I smiled and hugged her. “Thank you for coming.”
“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss it, especially not after Jackson told us we’d get to fly in the private jet,” Belinda joked.
I laughed, giving her another hug before turning to Greer. “Where are the kids?”
“Hanging out with their new cousin at her Hollywood mansion. They’re with Brooklyn and Nate.”