Page 66 of No Mane, No Gain
Olive snorted, picturing Chaos’s best friend and right-hand man teasing the usually stoic CEO. She could almost hear Baxter’s voice: “Come on, man. You’re marrying a romance vlogger. Gotta give the people what they want!”
As she slipped into the new dress, Olive’s mind wandered to all the wedding preparations still ahead. They had decided on a venue that perfectly blended their styles – a historic mansion with sprawling gardens for the ceremony, and a sleek, modern reception hall for the party afterward.
The cake tasting had been a particular highlight. Chaos, usually so composed, had turned into a kid in a candy store, insisting they try every flavor. Olive had documented the whole thing for her vlog, much to her followers’ delight.
“Okay, I’m coming out!” Olive called, stepping from behind the screen.
Athena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, Olive...”
Olive turned to face the mirror and her breath caught in her throat. The dress was stunning – a vintage-inspired gown with delicate lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The bodice hugged her curves before flowing into a full skirt that seemed to float around her.
“This is it,” she whispered, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “This is the one.”
Later that evening, Olive curled up on the couch in her penthouse, laptop balanced on her knees as she edited the day’s vlog footage. Chaos’s key turned in the lock, and she looked up with a smile as he entered.
“How was your day, future husband?” she called out, her blue eyes sparkling.
Chaos groaned dramatically, loosening his tie as he collapsed onto the couch beside her. “If I never have to look at another cummerbund again, it’ll be too soon.”
Olive laughed, setting aside her laptop to snuggle into his side. “Poor baby. Want me to kiss it better?”
“Well, if you insist,” Chaos replied with a grin, pulling her in for a kiss that left her breathless.
As they parted, Olive’s gaze fell on the stack of RSVPs on the coffee table. “I still can’t believe how many people are coming,” she mused. “Your tech world, my charity and book world, both our families...”
“Speaking of families,” Chaos said, his tone growing serious, “I talked to my parents today. They said Tia’s settled into her new role in Africa.”
Olive nodded, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. While she was relieved that Chaos’s sister was no longer a threat to their happiness, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness for the family rift.
“She’s still so young. Do you think she’ll ever change?” Olive asked softly.
Chaos sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I hope so. But for now, I’m just glad we can focus on us without worrying about her schemes.”
Olive nodded, grateful for the peace they had found. She reached for her phone, pulling up her to-do list. “Okay, Mr. Amato, we still need to finalize the seating chart and pick our first dance song. Any preferences?”
Chaos pretended to think hard. “How aboutThe Lion Sleeps Tonight?” he suggested with a smirk.
Olive swatted his arm playfully. “Very funny, lion man. Keep it up and I’ll have Gerri officiate the ceremony in a ringmaster outfit.”
As the weeks flew by, their wedding day approached with alarming speed. Olive found herself caught up in a whirlwind of final fittings, confirming vendors, and last-minute crises that seemed to pop up at every turn.
The night before the wedding, Olive sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by scattered notecards covered in her neat, flowing handwriting.
“Chaos Amato,” she read aloud, practicing her vows. “From the moment we met, you turned my world upside down. You challenged everything I thought I knew about love, about myself...”
A soft knock at the door interrupted her. “Olive?” Athena’s voice called out. “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” Olive replied, hastily gathering up her notecards.
Athena entered, carrying two steaming mugs of tea. She handed one to Olive before settling onto the bed beside her. “How are you feeling?”
Olive took a sip of tea, letting the warmth spread through her. “Excited. Nervous. A little bit like I’m living in one of my books.”
Athena smiled knowingly. “You know, when I suggested Gerri’s Paranormal Dating Agency, I only hoped she could help you avoid an arranged marriage. But look at you now – marrying a lion shifter billionaire. It’s like something straight out of your vlogs.”
Olive laughed, shaking her head. “Life is stranger than fiction, I guess. Who would have thought I’d end up here when I was trying to avoid that arranged marriage?”
“And now you’re walking right into it,” Athena teased. “Just with a lot more fur involved.”