Serenity's heart felt like it grew overnight. If Damien was half of what he seemed and he truly believed in following the law, without crossing the line, then he was better than her father.
And he was hotter than any ex-boyfriend she could remember. As the hair dresser arranged pins in her hair in the makeshift staging bedroom that now doubled as her dressing room, Serenity went through the list. Damien beat out John, Tim, Mark, Marco, Mario and Fletch. Fletch had probably been her worst mistake as he kissed like a wet seal and left her entire face damp.
She laughed. Damien's kiss left her hungry for more of him. If they continued to be open, perhaps all her fears could be laid to rest and she could honestly try with Damien. She intended to give him a shot. Perhaps they might one day love each other, like she saw other couples who stuck together like glue.
A knock on the door had her and her hair dresser turn. Then her sister's unmistakable sweet voice called out, "Serenity, are you decent?"
Damien had kept his word. Maybe once married, her family would finally accept her and she'd stop feeling like a piranha left in its own bowl. She stared into her sister's matching blue eyes. "Yes. The hair and makeup ladies are already working on me."
Serena strode into the room in a new gray dress that fit her perfectly. She was still beautiful though slightly thinner since prison. She sat on the edge of the bed and flipped her coifed hair that showed off her new haircut. "Fabulous. Did Tracy call you last night?"
So much for trying to be friends. Serenity's stomach knotted like it had when her sister used to come into her bedroom as a teenager and pump her for information. But she had to be calm for her baby. Serenity saw no reason to tell her sister, who might use it against her.
She let the hairdresser work on her updo, entranced by the tiny, real diamonds sparkling in her hair. "She tried to talk me out of getting married to Damien. It didn’t work. I am marrying him."
In the mirror, Serenity saw her sister get up from the bed. She came over and hugged her from behind the chair. "Well, I'm glad you have this spine now. It makes you look better."
"Thank you. Your hair looks great." Serenity couldn’t detect the prison smell.
Serena watched the hair dresser work on more blonde strands of Serenity’s hair. "Your friend, Kiwi, is a magic worker and hired clearly the best massage people. For a few minutes, I forgot I spent almost a year in jail."
Awash with guilt that she hadn’t been able to do more, Serenity tried to smile. "I'm glad you're here."
Serena stepped back. "Is Mom here yet?"
"No, I haven’t seen her." Serenity expected her mother to sit in the front row. “She'll probably need help getting to her seat.”
Serena crossed her arms. "Who is the maid of honor?"
"Kiwi," Serenity answered fast. It was one thing to be loyal to her family, but quite another to have her sister next to her during this most important time. They’d never been friends. Serena had made sure to it.
She dropped her hands to her side, like it wasn't a big deal. "Got it. She's loyal to you. Any idea where I'm going to live or do I ask your fiancé?"
They hadn't discussed her sister's future, but she pointed to the dresser and her purse. "My keys to my condo are on the table in my pocketbook over there. You can have it for as long as you need."
Serena walked over to her pocketbook and jingled the keychain. Calculating. It made her glad there was no car to worry about. Her sister hugged her shoulder. "Thanks, sis. For everything."
The door opened again and Kiwi's deep, smooth voice resounded in the room, and brought an immediate sense of rightness to Serenity. "Serena beat me here," her best friend said.
The makeup lady motioned for the maid of honor to take a seat. "Kiwi, please sit."
“See you downstairs,” her sister said and left. Serena didn’t need makeup.
The door closed and Serenity exhaled. “Thanks for helping Serena—she looks amazing. Wait until you see your dress.”
Kiwi dropped her Coach bag on the table beside her. "Not a problem. I brought you the shoes."
Serenity didn't dare move. She kept her head steady for the last of the pins to be put in her hair. "I'm sure they are fabulous."
The hairdresser squeezed her arm and held up a mirror. Serenity smiled broadly as she stood and stared at the updo. She hadn't felt this elegant in years and the luster of real diamonds added shine. The hairdresser had said his sister recommended it for her blonde locks and now that she saw the finished look, she wanted to hug Victoria for the dress and for the style.
“Gorgeous,” Kiwi approved.
The door opened and two women dressed in black came in. Serenity joined Kiwi, who let the makeup lady apply a layer of foundation.
“Shoes?”
Kiwi reached for her bag and took out white shoes with pops of blue flowers. "What do you think?”
“A Kiwi original. Love them.”
"If you don't have old, new or borrowed, let me know," Kiwi said.
"The dress and hair are new. For old, I have my grandma's prayer medallion, but I don't have borrowed."
Kiwi went into her bag and took out a small leather coin purse with brass clasps. "Put this penny in your shoe. It's good luck in my family and if you give it back, it has been borrowed. I'll want my own luck whenever I find the guy.”
Kiwi definitely would make any man she wanted happy, but so far, her friend was more interested in her career. Serenity hugged her and tucked the penny in the bottom of her shoe. She then went to the dressmakers who helped her slip the dress on.
The designer dress slid on her body like butter. She looked in the full length mirror as Kiwi called out, "Serenity, you look amazing. We need pics!"
Serenity turned and grinned at Kiwi, who had a layer of makeup on. The dressmakers motioned for her friend to come over by the bed and make her selection. Kiwi took two minutes to decide on a forest green maid of honor dress and they arranged it, nipping in at the waist and letting out at the bust.
The makeup lady touched up Serenity so she looked perfect. Once they were done, Serenity stood next to her friend, who held the flower bouquets.
“Ready?” Kiwi asked. “You look lovely.”
It was time. Damien would be downstairs waiting for her. Serenity giggled at the thought of really getting married. Of having a baby. Of becoming a Morgan. Was this her fate? "You look great too, Kiwi. Let's head down to my backyard wedding."
Kiwi tugged her to the window and the decorated backyard that had white chairs with satin bows and a gazebo covered in fairy lights. "This is first rate and much classier than any backyard. Where is the honeymoon?"
“He said I could choose.” She knew so little about her soon-to-be husband. She and Kiwi walked out the door and headed downstairs. "I'm thinking Paris, so I can see where he grew up. Damien left it up to me."
They reached the first landing; Kiwi stopped and they both listened to what sounded like Damien telling someone to leave him the beep alone.
Serenity never swore and her cheeks heated at his language. Kiwi said, "What's going on? The guy sounds like he wants to leave."
A chill raced up her spine despite the Florida heat.
Kiwi led her to the library door and flipped it open. There was Serena, her bodice down over one shoulder as Damien stood ramrod stiff near the couch. His face was fiery red. Anger, unleashed. Serenity clutched her flower bouquet. "Damien, Serena. What's going on?"
Damien held his head high and spoke directly to her. "Serenity, I was resting on the couch. I didn't sleep much last night and closed my eyes. When I woke up, your sister was on top of me."
“He’s lying!”
"Serenity, I believe your fiancé." Kiwi spoke in a whisper beside her. “Remember your sweet sixteen?”
Kiwi had a point. Her sister had always tried to sabotage whatever Serenity truly wanted. From winning a science contest, to kissing Josh in front of her face twenty-four hours after Serenity admitted she'd liked him in high school. Serenity stared at both of them. Her sister hadn't even tried to pull up her dress, showing off half her bra. Damien said he believed in following rules and she hoped that meant social rules. She took a deep breath, met his brown eyes and nodded. "Me too."
"Thank you." Damien relaxed and joined her.
Her sister put her hand on her hip, like she had the right to lecture. "How?"
For the past year, Serenity had tried to put their past aside and be a good sister. But none of her efforts mattered. "Serena, you left me upstairs ten minutes ago. I told you I wanted to marry Damien. I need you to leave now."
Serena pulled her dress up. "Serenity, I would never-"
She held up her flowers like a weapon, but Kiwi took them from her and handed them to Damien. Serenity instead pointed to her sister as she shook with emotion. "Liar. You kissed Josh when you knew I liked him in high school." She clutched her hands to her sides and stared at the white ceiling. "You were the reason that going to college was so great—you weren't there to destroy whatever I liked."
Serena's pretentiously sweet voice advised, "You shouldn't marry someone you like Serenity. You should love-"
Her ears steamed. Love might be in her future, but for now her sister had zero right to say a word about it. She stood to the side and motioned for Damien and Kiwi to follow. They did without question as Serenity gestured to the door. "Get out. I'll send Mom to my condo. You can live there for one month until you get a job and pay your own way."
"A job?" Serena's mouth drooped.
For years, Serenity’s spa had been a refuge from her family. Then it became her family's anchor. Why shouldn’t her sister get out in the world and work? "Yes. It's what everyone else does to earn a living and pay their way. You can't live for free, forever."
Damien gave Kiwi the bridal bouquet he’d been holding and put his hands on her shoulders to offer support. He massaged a little as her sister passed them. "Serenity, we should go. Don't stress anymore."
Righteous anger left her, comforted by Damien's nearness. She turned toward her fiancé and her best friend. "My sister doesn't usually cause me stress. I've always known the truth about how she sees me."
Seeing her in Damien’s arms though had set off a fire inside her. For once Serena would not steal from her.
Damien then lowered his voice. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Serenity nodded. They should talk. She had to believe she’d made the right choice, though her heart whispered she had. The library would have to be cleansed with lavender and sage to help her erase the memory of what happened. She motioned for them to go. "Yes, Damien. Let's go somewhere else—Kiwi, can we catch up with you?"
He took her arm and led her to a small office that overlooked the backyard and the Intracoastal, where their guests already waited. Damien closed the door and she stared at him, wounded. "You look gorgeous."
"It doesn't matter." She tugged at her sleeves to ensure everything was still on right.
He took her hands in his and squeezed them gently. "It does. I would never hurt you, Serenity. I want you to believe from now on until I die, I will protect you and our baby."
A bitter laugh escaped her throat. Her family claimed to always want to be together, but that had all been a lie. She'd been alone, for as long as she remembered. She shook her head. "Damien, no one can protect me, but I'll appreciate you trying." She gently placed her hands on his chest near his heart and looked into his intent gaze. Today, she chose to give them a chance. "I really don't like lies to my face that don't mean the words they take to say."
He nodded, and his expression calmed. She curved into him as he hugged her. "I understand. My father and yours were both liars. Remember, don't talk to go near Gilbert Fineroy today."
The name meant nothing to her. She shrugged, but if Damien was honest and he was building a case for the FBI, then she wouldn’t interfere. Lies had hurt her and lots of people in business. Honesty was all she wanted from Damien and in her life from now on. "I don't know him. I sure hope there is evidence so the FBI can do something. No one should take advantage of anyone."
"Agreed, now let's go say 'I do.'" He leaned down to kiss her.
She closed her eyes in anticipation. "Give me two minutes with Kiwi and I'll meet you at the altar."
Her heart stopped the moment his lips met hers. His kiss made her believe in him. Now she had to believe that they had a real chance. The one truth her sister had uttered was that marriage should have love. Perhaps it was possible. She kissed him back and offered her soul to him, praying she’d made the right choice.