Page 39 of Lilacs and Leather

Gabby: He’ll be here in twenty. And you’re booked for next Wednesday for a pedicure, his treat.

Me: Great. Now I just have to figure out how to tell Rhett a strange man wants to photograph my feet for his personal collection.

Gabby: HAHAHAHAHAHAH can I be there when you tell him??? Please?!?

I ignore that, containing my eye roll. Ella finally gets to the point in the day where she’s on her way to the venue and finds out that her planner isn’t available. It truly has been one thing after another for this poor girl.

“It’s been a rough day, but we’re going to turn it around right now. I’ve got everything under control. Your ceremony space is all set for you. I’ve been told your string quartet is already here and warming up. I can personally say that your flowers are pretty darn special, but I’m a little biased because I did them,” I say, ending with a little conspiratorial laugh.

Ella laughs along with me, and her bridesmaids seem to relax. There’s a knock at the door, and one of the other bridesmaids answers. I sigh in relief as I see Bryan, the photographer who is doing me this huge solid.

“Now, ma’am. No more tears on your big day. My good friend Bryan here is going to make sure you get all the pictures you want. You and your girls just relax, and I’ll have some champagne and goodies sent up for y’all since we’ve got a hot minute to spare. Don’t you worry ’bout a thing,” I say firmly, standing and crossing to the door.

I mouth a quick “thank you” to Bryan, who winks at me before turning to the bridal party and asking what sort of shots he can get. I leave the bridal suite, pushing my hair back from my forehead.

“Crisis averted, it seems.”

I jump with a shout and turn to find Lucas leaning on the wall next to the door. I put a hand over my racing heart, panting to catch my breath. Lucas only chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Everything going okay?” he asks, tone a little too smug for my nerves right now.

“Just peachy. Is there something I can help you with?” I snap, moving off as I hear someone calling for me to come to the ceremony space over my headset.

Lucas falls into step easily next to me, shrugging. “Just wanted to know how you’re doing. You’ve been with the bride for a while,” he says.

“Yeah, well, event planners have to be part therapist, besides all the other stuff. Speaking of which, get a bottle or two sent up to the bridal suite. That poor girl needs a fucking drink,” I press, rushing down the stairs.

“Will do. And Lydia?” Lucas says, grabbing my arm before I can leave him at the bottom of the stairs.

I turn, looking at him expectantly. I really don’t have time for this.

“I owe you big time for this. I mean it. You didn’t have to—”

“While I really love hearing how much of a favor I’m doing you, can you grovel later when I’m not trying to put out a hundred fires?” I interrupt.

Lucas blinks at me, expression surprised and amused, before he laughs. “You sounded just like Rhett there for a second. A little creepy, honestly.”

“I’m not sure that was a compliment,” I scoff.

“It is. He’s... yeah, it’s a compliment. I’ll catch you later, ’kay?”

I nod, and I stop for a second as I watch him turn and walk away. I wonder for a moment what he was going to say about Rhett, but I’m interrupted as someone asks for me again over the headset.

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur, and before I know it, I’m standing at the door to the ceremony space, signaling the bridal party for their entrances. When Ella steps up with her father, she stops and takes one of my hands.

“Thank you,” she whispers, tears in her eyes again.

I nod, my own returning smile a little watery. After a moment, she lets my hand drop and looks ahead, smiling from ear to ear. I signal the music to change, and sigh as Ella starts her walk down the aisle.

I scent Lucas before he scares the pants off me again, and his body heat radiates into my arm as we watch the bride finish her walk toward her groom. They’re both openly crying, taking turns to wipe away each other’s tears.

“This is my favorite part,” Lucas whispers.

I hum my confusion, not looking away from the couple as they turn to their officiant and start the ceremony proper.

“Usually, a couple is together for a while before they get married, so it’s not like they don’t know who’s going to be there at the other end of the aisle. But when they see each other in this setting, it’s like they’re seeing the love of their life for the first time. It’s magic,” Lucas whispers, voice full of dreamy longing.

“Do you want this? Marriage?” I ask softly, smiling a little.