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Lana rushed into the Brady mansion with the garment bag holding her bridesmaid dress and a duffel bag with all her extra items in it. Her hair had already been styled and sprayed, so not a strand would escape before pictures and the actual wedding ceremony. She was running late and felt incredibly bad about it. Spending the night in Sullivan’s arms had turned her brain to mush and made her forget her promise to arrive early.
“Lana,” her mother called out.
Lana halted long enough to turn toward her. “I can’t right now, Mama. Dani’s expecting me.”
Her mother smiled. “I know, dear, but you’re going the wrong way.”
Lana glanced around her. Shit. Her mother was right. She usually didn’t take wrong turns in the mansion. She’d helped clean it often enough to know where things were. Sullivan really had killed some of her brain cells with his lovemaking the night before, and the morning, then the shower... If they’d had more time, they might have christened every room in the apartment. One look, a touch, and just like that she was ready for him. How had she survived as long as she had without him?
She turned around and headed to the correct hallway. “Thanks, Mama,” she called over her shoulder. She went into the room designated for the bride and her attendants. Dani was seated at a vanity while Claire curled her hair. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” Lana said. “I don’t have any excuses, and I’m not even sure where to start.”
Dani’s lips tilted upward into a knowing smile. “I’m willing to bet everything I own—and it’s a considerable fortune now—my brother had everything to do with it.”
Heat filled her cheeks at Dani’s pronouncement. She hadn’t realized the whole world could see through her so clearly. Lana prided herself on her privacy and it appeared now she had none. “I have no idea what you speak of.”
Claire laughed. “There’s no reason to keep it a secret. Everyone could clearly see how much he doted on you last night. Did you really move in with him?”
Lana frowned. “Not intentionally.” He really should have told her it was his apartment he’d offered her to stay at. If she’d known, she would have made him take her to the mansion. Part of the reason she’d originally refused going to it was because she’d thought Sullivan lived there. She’d been afraid he’d prove to be too much of a temptation. Turned out she was right about that much. Hard not to be when she took into account how gorgeous he was and that she’d wanted him since she was a teenager on the brink of her first devastating crush.
“There’s a story there,” Dani said. “Sit and tell us all about it. We promise it won’t leave this room.”
“Don’t you need me to do anything else?”
Dani shook her head. “Claire has my hair covered. My mother is taking care of everything else. Sullivan promised me last night he’d stay by Ren’s side until the wedding. I think we’re good. Besides, you were in the hospital a couple weeks ago. Take a second to breathe and let yourself heal. Today is a celebration of the love Ren and I share. It took us a long time to get here, and you’re a part of that in a roundabout way.”
Lana had been the one to phone Dani about her business partner, Matthew Price’s accident. That phone call had led to Dani and Ren finding each other again after a ten-year separation. Now they were about to marry and start the next part of their journey together. Lana was happy for them. “Well, if all you want is a story, that I can give you.”
“Is it juicy?” Claire asked.
“No, not really,” Lana replied. “The night my house burned down, he wanted to bring me here, and I said no. I have...” She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to figure out the right way to say it. “...issues with the mansion. The Bradys have always been wonderful, but my mother is the housekeeper. That had a stigma for me I’ve never fully shaken.”
Claire nodded. “You don’t have to explain family drama to me. Remind me one day to tell you about my mother and how my sister stole my man from me. Though that last part turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Lana laughed. “I think I heard something about a former lover of yours being a complete sociopath and trying to kill you.”
Claire shuddered. “It’s a night I’m not likely to forget anytime soon. Thank God for Matthew. I don’t know what I’d have done if he hadn’t shown up when he did.”
It was kind of ironic in a way. Matthew’s accident had brought Dani and Ren back together and made Matt finally admit to Claire how much he loved her. Sometimes bad things happened, and there was no way to prevent them. Like her car accident and the fire... She refused to let those things control her, and instead would choose to look at the good things that had come out of it. “You’re lucky to have him. I’m rather jealous of the two of you. You have both found men who love you so much they’d lay their lives down for you.”
Dani scrunched her brows together. “You have that too.”
Did she? Sullivan had been an amazing lover, and they were making progress in their relationship; however, she couldn’t help but believe they had a long way to go. She shook her head. “Some things aren’t always what they seem.”
As Claire pinned a lock of hair in place, Dani held up a hand. “Leave it for a moment.” She turned toward Lana. “What the hell has Sullivan done?”
“It isn’t him.” She didn’t want Dani on the warpath before her wedding. “We’re too—different.”
Dani sighed. “Those differences are what make you work. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him after your accident. You need him, and he needs you. There’s something between you, and everyone who knows the two of you can see it. It’s you and Sully who are blind to it, and have been for a while. Don’t throw away a good thing because you’re afraid.” Dani reached for Lana’s hand. “Trust me on this. I did that, and it took me a decade to find the love of my life again. Second chances are hard to come by, and if you throw away true love, there is no guarantee you’ll get another.”
A tear formed in the corner of Lana’s eye. She wiped it away before she turned into a maudlin idiot. “I wish I could have your faith.”
“You can,” she said. “If you’re brave enough and open your heart. You have to be willing to accept him, flaws and all. No one is perfect. It all boils down to one thing—do you love him? The rest are details you can learn to compromise on. That’s what a relationship is. You give a little and he will too, and before you know it, you’ve found your middle ground.”
Lana nodded. Dani had given her a lot to think about. “Let’s finish getting you ready. We don’t want to keep Ren waiting.”
Dani grinned. “I do believe I’ve made him wait long enough as it is.”
Claire finished Dani’s hair and pinned the last dark curl in place. Dani had opted to leave most of her locks down, but partially pin some back away from her face. Lana went over to the garment bag hanging on the back of the closet and unzipped. She sighed at the sight of Dani’s wedding dress. It was perfect for her. Simple, elegant, and fancy all at the same time. The A-line dress had a deep V-neckline. Lace overlaid the skirt, and it had a silk bow in the back that tied at her waist.
“Are you ready to put this on?” Lana asked.
“I’ve never been more ready in my life.”
Claire and Lana helped her step into the gown and zipped up the back. Dani was no good at tying bows, so she left that to Claire to do. Besides, Claire was already in her gold, floor-length bridesmaid dress, and Lana the slowpoke had barely had time to grab the bag and run. She unzipped her own garment bag and pulled the dress out and the matching silk scarf.
“You need me to zip that?” Dani asked.
Lana was going to say no, but that was silly. Why strain when she didn’t have to. “If you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” Dani said. “I can’t exactly do more right now, or Claire will swat me. She is a perfectionist.”
“Ha ha,” Claire mocked her. “We both know who the perfectionist is in this room, and I don’t come nearly as close.”
This was nice. Dani had spent so much of her life pushing people away, she forgot what it was like to have friends. Work was different. It paid the bills and she loved it, but it didn’t come close to this. She should not have closed herself off from the world. What did it say about her that she let one bad summer dictate her life? Victoria Masters was a bitch, and it was easy to hate her. To place the blame firmly on her evil shoulders... But it wasn’t that simple. Lana had made choices too. Being brave was hard; however, she was ready to give it a try to see where it led her.
***
THE WEDDING HAD BEEN beautiful, and no, Sullivan, did not think that because his sister happened to be the bride. He’d had his moments of sentimental nonsense like anyone else. This just happened to be one he cherished above any other. By all appearances, it was for his parents too. His mother had been a blubbering mess through the vows, and his father had wiped a tear or two from his eye as he walked Dani down the aisle.
Sullivan loved watching his baby sister as she headed toward her groom—Ren. She’d been beautiful, but of course she always was. Lana, though, had taken his breath away. For a moment, as he stood up there at the altar, he could see what it could be like if he were the groom and Lana the bride. It had seemed incredibly right. Now they were at the reception and everyone danced, laughed, and enjoyed the evening.
“Hey, stranger,” Lana greeted him. “I feel like I’ve not seen you all day.”
“It’s been long, tiring, and perfect except for one thing.”
“What’s that,” she said gazing up into his eyes.
“I haven’t kissed you in hours.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” she said. “You should have said something sooner. I’d have happily given you a taste of these lips.” She gestured to her mouth. “If you were desperate for a fix.”
“I am rather addicted to you,” he admitted.
They had a lot to talk about and even more to work through. Their night of passion hadn’t solved anything. Well, it had done one thing. He’d finally had her in his arms, his bed, and in every way possible. Now he had to convince her he was a good bet and they did have a chance at being happy.
“It’s a good thing I like being your drug of choice.” Lana chuckled. “How long do you think we have to stay at this thing?”
“The reception?” he asked. “Until Dani and Ren leave.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” she said.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Come dance with me. It’s the only acceptable way I can hold you without my mother reigning terror over me for acting indecent at my sister’s wedding.”
Lana licked her lips. “You have my permission to be filthy and lewd—with words.”
Sullivan chuckled and led her to the dance floor. A slow song by some country singer he couldn’t recall blared through the ballroom’s speakers. The lyrics were somehow appropriate to how he felt as he held her in his arms. All he’d ever wanted was her, and he wanted to make her understand that. Everything that didn’t make sense in his life was made right when he was with her. It defied logic, but somehow it was never clearer to him than in that moment.
“Would it be cheesy if I told you I want to hold your hand forever and have the right to kiss you each night, and every morning, for the rest of our lives?”
“No, it wouldn’t,” she said softly. “I could promise you forever, but it wouldn’t be long enough.”
God, he loved her. “Don’t make me find out who I am without you in my life. I fear I’d fall apart and never be right again.”
If he’d had any idea how hard he’d fall for this woman, he’d have claimed her ages ago. There was no use fighting the inevitable. Looking back, with what he knew now, he could see they had been on the same path heading toward each other for a long time. His heart had raced for her and latched on without him realizing it. Love didn’t happen every day, and he wasn’t about to push it out the door now that he’d found it.
The music ended, but they continued to sway to it. Sullivan was reluctant to let her go. Lana leaned her head against his shoulder and contentment filled him. In some ways, he hoped the moment would never end. It was something he wanted to always remember. One perfect instance in time when they were in perfect harmony, and the impossible seemed achievable.
“I should go help Dani out of her dress,” Lana said against his chest.
“Isn’t that the privilege of her husband,” he said.
Lana laughed. “On any other night it would be, but she wanted to change before she left.”
“What a waste,” he said. “Promise me when we get married you’ll leave that honor to me.”
“I...you...wedding...um...” Lana stumbled over the words. Her eyes widened as the shock of his statement hung over them.
Fuck. Had he said that aloud? He had to act fast before she panicked. He was still in his own little fantasy world from watching her walk down the aisle before his sister earlier. That vision wouldn’t leave his mind for anything.
“Don’t answer that yet,” he said fervently. “Go help my sister we’ll talk later.”
She nodded her head and walked in Daniella’s direction. Dani hugged Lana, and then they motioned toward Claire. Sullivan stared at them until the three women disappeared into the house and he could no longer see them. He prayed to God he hadn’t scared her away with his big mouth. She wasn’t even ready to admit they were in a relationship, and he went and put his foot in his mouth talking about their wedding as if it was inevitable. He fully believed it was, but that didn’t mean she was on the same page as him yet.
She would be.
Sullivan had to remain patient and wait for her to find her own way to the same conclusion he’d already come to. He belonged with her and no one else.