Page 107 of Faith

“I better get going before the idiot groom shows up complaining we’re taking too long,” Jules said. “See ya at the altar, sista.” She added a lilt to her voice. She grabbed her simple nosegay of multicolored plumeria. It matched Nicola’s, except that as the bride, she added a little cascade to the design.

“You look beautiful,” her father said, a quiver of emotion in his tone.

She smiled, fighting tears. “Don’t make me cry. My makeup is perfect.”

“You’re perfect. Always have been,” he said, smiling at her. He had said that to her when she was growing up.

“Thank you. Now, Jules wasn’t wrong. Jensen could show up being grumpy, so let’s get going.” She slipped her arm through each of theirs. “Thank you for being the best parents.”

They walked to the door of the guest room. She drew in a deep breath and let the happiness bounce through her. They stepped out, and Jules and Serenity stood. Her friend had been indisposed…in other words, throwing up. The trio were expecting their first baby, and she couldn’t be happier for them.

Her dress was of the same material as Jules, but Serenity’s was tailored for her shorter, slimmer body. Tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, wow. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you get dressed.”

Nicola rolled her eyes. “Yeah, zipping up a dress was soooo hard.”

She let go of her parents to hug her friend. “Don’t worry, Mama,” she whispered in her ear. When she drew back, both of them had tears in their eyes.

“Hey, ladies…and Mr. McCann?” Jackob called out. “Jensen is five seconds away from losing it.”

She shook her head. “I guess that means he’s getting grumpy. Let’s get this show on the road.”

* * *

Jules watched as her brother led Nicola out to the makeshift dance floor. His hand was on the small of her back.

She had been right. Her brother’s reaction to the back of the dress had been hilarious and also cute at the same time. He pulled her into his arms, and the music started.

She glanced around at the crowd and realized this was the antithesis of any wedding she had been to. The weddings she attended were about impressing people with the price of the ceremony and reception. Nicola and Jensen were dancing around the floor, with a string of lights crisscrossing the dance floor…and it was perfect. No amount of money would have made it better than the love they shared.

She sighed, knowing that she envied their connection and that it would be nearly impossible to find because of who she was.

“What’s up,” Jakob said. She glanced at her brother, sporting a beard for his latest role. Her mother had been irritated, but Jules liked it.

“Nothing. Just a little jealous of their happiness. They’re perfect for each other.”

“Took him long enough.”

She smiled as Jensen dipped Nicola, making her laugh.

“Yeah, but sometimes it takes a jolt to figure out who or what you want from life.”

“And you realized that about the prick and we are all happier for it.”

There was something in his tone that had her turning toward her brother. He was the proverbial middle child, probably feeling left out at times smashed between the oldest brother and the only girl. So, he had turned to acting. He still had a seat on the board, but everyone knew Jackob would become an actor even before he reached his teens.

And usually, he was better at hiding his feelings, but lately…he’d been off.

“What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.”

She frowned. “Jake…come on. It’s me. Tell me.”

Even with their age difference…not to mention their personalities, all the Wulf siblings were close.

“I screwed something up.”