Page 55 of Dirty Little Vow
“Sleeping without you.”
My lips curve. “I like that answer, but I didn’t like it either. It’s a luck thing. I think we need to take luck where we can get it.”
“All my luck was used up when you said yes. Can I come bring you a gift?”
“You know you can’t.”
“Fine. I’ll give it to Allie to give you.”
Later, Allie arrives, no gift in hand. We eat a light meal, go workout, and when I’m done showering, we head to the venue, where I’m given champagne and fruit before the hair and makeupartist go to work.
It’s an hour before the ceremony when Allie hands me a blue bag, a Tiffany bag. “I’ll give you some privacy.” She smiles and slips out of the room.
I sit down on the chaise lounge in my prep room, a silk robe around me, and read the card. “Because you’re the star that lights up every dark part of me.”
My lips curve and my hand trembles as I open the lid to find a stunning diamond necklace in the shape of a star. There are two more boxes as well. My band which is gorgeous and matches my ring and a band for him, which is engraved with today’s date, and our names. My heart is full when a knock sounds on the door. My father pokes his head into the room.
“Are you decent?”
“I am,” I say. “Come in.”
I stand and he appears, looking dapper in his tuxedo. “My dad is a hottie.”
He laughs. “I’m getting old, baby girl, but thank you.”
“You need to settle down. Mom would want you, too, but that’s for another day when I’m in proper lecture mode.” I lift the box and show him my necklace. “Can you help me put it on?”
“Of course. From Tyler I assume?”
“Yes.” I show him the card because I want him to know how much Tyler means to me. He reads it and his eyes turn glassy. “I think you should hold the formal ceremony at the spot your mom and I got married. VillaOrlando Bellagio. Then it will be as if she is there.”
“Are you sure, Dad? That would be a dream, but I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Nonsense. It’s how it should be.” He helps me with the necklace and we both stare at it in the mirror. “You are a star,” he says. “I hope he remembers that.” He kisses my temple. “I’ll let you finish getting ready.”
It’s fifteen minutes later, that I stand in the mirror staring at myself in my dress, and tear up a bit, thinking of my mother, wishing she were here. Allie notices and points at me, “No tears. Not yet.”
She looks lovely in a flowy, pink gown, her dark hair falling around her shoulders like silk. “You’re right. But I’m going to cry.”
“Just not yet,” she warns again with a small smile.
There’s a knock on the door. “We’re ready.”
“Did Tyler get his ring?” I ask anxiously.
“You have to give it to me,” Allie says. “I know you have it. Tyler told me. You’re nervous but remember, I give you his ring. You give it to him. Dash will have yours.”
“Right,” I say. “Right. I know you’ll handle it.”
My father pokes his head in the door and his eye light. “You’re gorgeous, honey. Let’s go get you married.”
And that’s exactly what happens. With pink and white flowers all around us and in my hands, I exit to the rooftop, where Tyler waits, looking more handsome than anyman should in a tuxedo. The minute I see him, I’m filled with joy, and certain this is the moment, and the man my mother would have wanted me to know.
The minute I’m in front of him, he catches my hands and pulls me to him, his cheek to mine and he says, “You are so damn beautiful it's impossible to believe you're really mine.” And then he looks at the preacher and says, “I do.”
The preacher laughs, and he says, “Too soon, son. We’ll get there.”
And we do. We both say, “I do” and exchange rings and then it’s official. I am Bella Hawk, and from now on, be it a war, or the truce he claimed with the Allen family last night, we will do it together.