The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind of the best kind.
Trent’s idea had been insane, but also, perfect.
Besides, when you were planning a simple wedding for only ten people—Trent’s childhood friend, who was important to him as well, rounded the number out nicely—it didn’t take a whole lot of planning.
The hardest part about it all was keeping quiet, but it was also the exciting part.
At least, up until now.
I made sure I was the first to arrive for lunch at the club, but Sandy, Jessie, and Darla all arrived shortly after I sat down. “You’re here first again,” Abby said with a faux look of surprise. “This leave of absence must be good for you. I can’t remember the last time you were early for our dates, let alone twice in a row.”
“A lot of things are good for me,” I said with a little smile.
“You look great, Britt,” Sandy said as she sat next to me. “Really rested and just…”
“Happy,” Darla finished for her. “Your aura is glowing.”
“My aura?”
“Don’t argue with me,” Darla warned. “It’s the most beautiful pink color. It’s almost as if you’re in—”
“Oh look, Abby’s here.” I jumped up to greet our fifth before Darla could unintentionally spill my secret. I gave her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
Abby gave me a strange look as she, too, sat down.
“She’s being strange,” Sandy said to Abby. “Isn’t she?”
“Totally.”
“What?” I held up my hands. “I’m not being strange. I’m just really glad to see you girls. A lot has happened and…well, I just wanted to thank you all for being there for me last week when I was having my little…”
“Breakdown?”
“Awakening?”
“Breakthrough?”
“Revelation?”
I looked at each of them in turn and laughed. “All of the above?”
They all laughed, and the waitress came by as planned with a bottle of champagne and five glasses.
“Oh.” Sandy held her hand up to protest. “I’ll get a—”
“Please,” I interrupted. “I know you all have your favorites, but if you would indulge me for a quick minute first, I have a toast I’d like to make and a little bit of news I’d like to share.”
That got everyone’s attention.
“News?” Abby gave me a sidelong glance. “What kind of news?”
“We already heard about your leave of absence,” Darla said.
I glanced at Jessie, who shrugged. “I didn’t think it was a secret.”
“It wasn’t,” I said. “But no. That’s not the news.”
I waited until the waitress had poured us each a glass of champagne. When she retreated, I spoke. “You four are my family, and I know I probably haven’t been the easiest person to love all these years, but I wanted you all to know that it’s because of all four of you and your love and support of me that I am where I am today.”
Sandy wiped a tear off her cheek. Jessie looked like she was about to cry.
It was Abby who pushed. “And where are you now?”
I didn’t hesitate. “I’m in love.”
Their reactions were all as different as they were.
Sandy sobbed and dropped her head into her hands.
Jessie shrieked.
Abby nodded and danced in her chair a little.
And, Darla shouted, “I knew it! I could see it in your aura.”
“You’re in love, Brittany?” Sandy reached for my hand. “With Trent?”
“Of course with Trent.” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. “And I know you might be thinking that it’s all really fast and—”
“Nonsense,” Jessie interrupted me. “If anyone understands how this all works, it’s us. I mean, Shane and I were the same way.”
“And Phillip and me, too,” Abby added.
I looked to Darla.
“Girl,” she said. “You don’t have to convince me. Your entire spirit is glowing and that kind of energy cannot be faked. I may not be a big believer in love for myself. But for you, I see how real it is.”
Sandy still had tears on her cheeks, which I took to be a good sign, so I lifted my glass. “I’d like to propose a toast,” I said. “To friends who are family. To being in love, and…to getting married.”
Everyone clinked their glasses, and I was already sipping my champagne before my words registered with the girls.
“What?”
“Married?”
“No way.”
“When?”
That was the question I was waiting for. I took another sip of my bubbles and raised my glass again. “Right now.”
“This is pretty incredible, man.” Shane patted me on the back and handed me a glass of whiskey. “I actually love how you guys are doing this. The girls are probably losing their minds out there right now.” He gestured to the door that led to the restaurant and laughed.
“If they aren’t yet, they will be soon,” I said.
“No shit,” Phillip said. “Abby will be losing it. A surprise wedding?” He chuckled. “And Brittany? No one saw that coming.”
“Least of all me.” I raised my glass and took a sip.
“Funny how it sneaks up on you,” Shane said. “What about you, Dylan? Are you next?”
The rancher shook his head. “Been there, done that. Horses are easier.”
I didn’t know Dylan as well as the others did, but I wasn’t blind. I’d seen the way Sandy had looked at him a few weeks ago at Shane and Jessie’s dinner party. Maybe there was something there that he didn’t even know yet. Not that I was going to be the one to tell him. One thing I knew for sure was these things needed to be sorted out on their own.
My gaze went to the clock on the wall. Brittany and I had worked out a tentative timeline. The champagne should be arriving at their table soon. Which meant things were really about to get crazy.
And Blaze wasn’t here yet.
When the wedding plans were decided, I was completely on board with keeping it super small and intimate. There was only one other person I wanted there. Blaze Barron and I had been friends in grade school, and we’d always remained close.
As close as two men could be when their lives took them in different directions. Especially when one of those directions was fame and superstardom. Blaze had been discovered almost immediately after graduation. It was the Calgary Stampede, which was basically a week-long giant fair combined with a rodeo, combined with a whole lot of citywide parties. Blaze had jumped up on stage at the Nashville North tent during a karaoke competition. And although his singing was terrible, apparently his look was just right. There’d been a talent agent in the crowd who’d been interested. He signed a contract the next day and by the end of the week, he was in LA going on his first auditions.
The following year, after a few smaller roles, Blaze Barron was the breakout star in the summer blockbuster, Hollywood’s next heartthrob, and…a superstar.
But through all of that, we’d stayed close. I was there to bring Blaze back down to earth when he started to forget where he’d come from. And when I made my first million on a big property acquisition deal, it was Blaze who was the first to celebrate and welcome me to the millionaires club. Since then, through some smart investing, some excellent deals on my end, and some prime movie roles for Blaze, we’d both earned ourselves a seat in the billionaires club. But through it all, we’d been there for each other. Always.
Which was why I did not want to get married without him there.
But if he didn’t show up soon, I would. Brittany was my first priority. My only priority.
“So, no cold feet?” Phillip crossed the room to stand with me.
“Not at all,” I told him confidently. “Maybe that’s the gift of maturity and experience. I know exactly what I want. And there are no doubts in my mind that Brittany is exactly what I want. For the rest of our lives. I’m almost positive I wouldn’t have been able to say that twenty years ago.” I chuckled, because there was no way I would have said that twenty years ago. “I’ve lived my whole life going after what I want and not second-guessing my decisions,” I continued. “I’m not about to do that now.”
Phillip raised his glass to me. “I get it, man. One hundred percent. When you know, you know.”
“What do we know?” The door burst open and Blaze, always one to make an entrance, arrived.
“You’re late.” I crossed the room and gave my buddy a hug. “But that’s nothing new.”
Blaze pretended to be offended. “I am right on time.” He turned to Phillip. “Hey there. I’m Blaze. Nice to meet you.”
“Phillip.” They shook hands before I introduced him to both Shane and Dylan as well. None of the guys made a big deal about Blaze’s celebrity, including Blaze, which was one of the things I appreciated about him. He might be one of the hottest and most recognizable celebrities in the world, but he was still just my buddy.
“Now that you’re here…” I looked at the clock again, right as a shriek came from the other room. “I’d say Brittany just told them the news.”
“It’s almost time, then,” Shane said.
Blaze tilted his head. “What’s almost time? What news?”
“He didn’t tell you why you were coming?” Dylan asked.
Blaze shook his head. “He just said he needed me. So here I am.”
“Damn, that’s friendship.” Dylan nodded his head in appreciation.
“It sure is.” I looked at the group of guys. “And I’d do the same for any of you.” I turned to Blaze. “I’m getting married today,” I told him simply. “I couldn’t do that without you here, too.”
“Married?”
I nodded with a grin.
“Fuck, man.” He looked down and shook his head. For a moment, I thought he might tell me I was making a mistake, or suggest he start the car so we could take off and get out of there. Instead, he looked up with his trademarked bright smile. “That’s friggin’ awesome, Trent.” He pulled me in for another hug and slapped my back. “I never thought I’d see this day. She must be pretty amazing.”
“She’s phenomenal.”
Over Blaze’s shoulder, I noticed the manager of the club had popped his head into our room and made eye contact. He nodded.
Good. My little surprise was in place.
It was time.
I’d never been the type of little girl to dream about my wedding. I’d never had any pictures in my head of white, flowing gowns, or tall, tiered cakes. Not one time had I imagined dancing to “our song” with my new husband in his fancy tux.
Years earlier when Abby, Sandy, and Jessie had all married their first husbands, I’d played the role of dutiful bridesmaid. I’d thrown parties, worn peach, yellow, and baby-blue dresses the way I was asked. But despite doing my best to be a good friend and supporter of the brides-to-be, I’d never one time felt envious in any way. In fact, it was always quite the opposite.
Every time I walked down the aisle at one of my friends’ weddings, carrying my matching bouquet, stepping just right to the rhythm of the music, I hadn’t felt anything at all.
But this was different in every single way.
I’d chosen a very simple white dress. It was ivory. Fitted over my curves and cut low down my back. Elegant and simple. I wore my hair down, a bedazzled barrette pinning it up off my face. My makeup was simple, with the exception of my red lips.
The girls wanted to help me get dressed, but I wanted the moment to myself.
When I was completely ready, I pulled the photo I’d brought with me from my purse. It was my own parents’ wedding portrait. I hadn’t seen it since I was a little girl, but Fraser had found it among my mother’s things and wanted me to have it.
I looked closely at the picture for signs of what was to come in their marriage.
There were none. And I knew now that despite their terrible choices, they always loved each other.
“I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could have it all,” I said to the young, unsuspecting couple in the picture. “You could have been so happy if you had trusted in yourselves and your love.”
I squeezed my eyes shut against the tear that threatened. But I wouldn’t cry.
“We all could have been happy.” I swallowed hard. “But I’m not mad at you. Not anymore. I know better now. And maybe that’s because of your example, no matter how screwed up it was.” I smiled a little. “I’m choosing different,” I told my mom and dad. “I’m choosing to be happy. I’m choosing a full life. I’m choosing love. I’m choosing me.”
I kissed the photo and propped it up on the counter next to my purse.
I picked up my bouquet of simple red roses—to match my lipstick—and without looking back, walked toward my future.