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TWO DAYS LATER, ANNA smiled as she twirled in front of the mirror in her wedding gown. Ashleigh gasped from across the room, tears filling her eyes. “Oh my gosh. You look incredible. Amazing. I can’t believe you’re really getting married this week—five short days away.” Ashleigh quickly glanced to the window, as if Jett would magically appear home at that instant.
“Oh, he’s not here,” Anna said with a wave of her hand. “He’s swamped at work with two different ops. I think some of the guys are coming home today—not that I’m supposed to know anything about it. He’ll be busy for a while, which gives me all the time in the world to try on my wedding gown.”
“Knock, knock!” Lena said, knocking on the open bedroom door. “I’m heading out. Wow. You look simply breathtaking.”
Anna beamed, smiling at the other woman.
“I think I’ve got everything set for Friday—as much as we can hide at the house, at any rate. The cases of wine and champagne are stacked in the storage closet. The place cards and table numbers are printed. The caterer is handling linens, place settings, etc. As soon as Jett leaves for the office on Friday, they’ll be coming in to start setting up. The florist and bakery will deliver everything in the morning. The caterers and bartender will arrive in the afternoon.”
“What about the tent?” Anna asked.
“That’s scheduled as well. It’d be unlikely for Jett to come home early, but it will be just a few days before Christmas. The team knows to keep him in the office. If not, I’ll keep him away from the house.”
“This is getting real,” Ashleigh said with a laugh. “I’ll be there helping Lena run things to make sure it all goes smoothly.”
“I can’t wait to see his face. Jett’s not really an emotional guy—more gruff and alpha, if you know what I mean. What?” Anna asked, looking at Ashleigh and Lena’s amused expressions.
“We know,” Ashleigh said with a laugh.
“Right. Well, nothing fazes him. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. He’ll be floored.”
“He’ll be married,” Lena said with a smile.
“That too,” Anna said, pointing a finger at Lena. She smoothed her hands over her still flat stomach and then twirled around in a circle, looking at herself in the full-length mirror.
“How’s Jett at dancing?” Ashleigh asked.
“We never really dance, actually. I’ve got a great playlist though. Fortunately, Lena hooked me up with a DJ, because that was another thing I forgot. Thank goodness you’re so organized,” she said, flashing the woman a grateful smile.
“I’ve worked for Jett for many years but have honestly never seen him so happy as when he’s with you.”
“You’re too sweet,” Anna said.
“I’d say it must be true,” Ashleigh agreed. “He’s kind of gruff and growly but was protective of you from that very first night. Remember when you called us from the car?”
“How could I forget?” Anna asked with a giggle. She let out a contented sigh. “All right, I guess I should get out of this wedding dress and tuck it away in the back of the closet before Jett comes home. My wedding night lingerie is hidden in there, too.”
“Where are you staying that night?” Ashleigh asked.
“A ritzy hotel in Manhattan. I’ve never spent a night away from Brody yet, and now I’ll be gone several nights within the same week.”
“I’m sure Jett will keep you distracted,” Ashleigh teased.
Anna waggled her eyebrows. “Please. I’ll be distracting him.”
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Lena said. “I’ll text you later if I’ve got any new updates. Otherwise, I’ll see you later this week.”
Lena hurried back out of the doorway to finish running errands, and Anna shot her best friend a grin. “This is really happening, girlfriend. In five days, I’ll be a married woman.”
