Sin whistled when I walked out to go to dinner. His brows shot up, too, as if the whistle wasn’t enough. “Babe, you look hot.”
I frowned. “Thanks a lot.”
He snorted in disbelief as he walked toward me. “Um, what?”
“Sorry.” I laughed. “Thank you. But you just made me lose a bet to Birdie. You look hot, too, by the way.” And he did. Christmas on a cracker, what was it about a man in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt? Chillacious.
He put his hands on my hips. “What bet is that?”
I stared up at him, soaking in his handsomeness. “I thought you’d say this dress was too low-cut.”
He stared at my cleavage. “What was that now?”
I giggled. “Sinclair.”
He winked at me. “Let me guess, Birdie thought I’d just say how smoking you are in it.”
“Pretty much.”
His gaze dropped again to my cleavage for a brief moment before he made eye contact. “What did you lose? Or should I ask, what did she win?”
“I have to have all of the wedding details hammered out by the end of the week.”
His brows lifted again, but for a different reason this time. “Ouch. That sounds like a lot of work.”
I clenched my jaw at the thought of what lay ahead. “It is.”
He kissed my nose. “Hey. You’re not in this alone, you know. Just tell me what I can do to help. Give me decisions to make. I’m here, ready to tackle this stuff with you.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I picked the easiest thing I could think of. “How about colors to start with? Are we still thinking just black and white? Because that sounds kind of boring, and I’m leaning toward throwing some color in.”
He took my hands in his and stepped back like he wanted a better look at me. “What about this color? You look fantastic in it.”
“Plum?”
He nodded. “I like purple.”
I gave that some thought. “We could do black and white with shades of purple. I like that. What do you think?”
“I’m in. Done.”
“Did we just finalize our wedding colors?” I blinked. “Is it really that easy?”
“Maybe. When you have help.”
I tilted my head coyly. “Any chance you have an already prepared list of songs we can play at the reception?”
“I imagine you want the kind of songs that keep people up and dancing, maybe with a few slow ones mixed in?”
I nodded. “Yes. But they also have to be approved by the etiquette committee. So nothing naughty.”
Sin smiled. “My dad loves music. In fact, he’s got an antique jukebox in his man cave filled with all kinds of fun songs. We could ask him.”
“Oh, I love that. Yes, let’s see what he suggests. Do you have any thoughts about flowers?”
His face screwed up. “They, uh, smell nice?”
“I meant what kinds of flowers we want for the wedding.”
“Oh.” He shook his head. “No, sorry.”
“You know what? That’s okay. Just knowing what our colors are going to be will narrow down the selections.” I grinned. “Hey, this isn’t so bad.”
“Good. And please, keep asking. I might not have answers for everything, but I can always take a shot at it.”
I tugged him close. “I’m going to try on my wedding dress tomorrow, and along with my mom, my aunt, and Birdie, I want your mom to come too. You think she’ll like that?”
Sin took a breath, eyes filling with gratitude. “She’ll love that. That’s amazing. Thank you for including her.”
“I’m happy to do it. And I mean that. I like your mom. She’s very sweet. I want her to like me too.”
He smiled. “She does. She thinks you’re wonderful, and she’s so worried about what you think of her.”
I put my hand over my heart, touched by his words. “I don’t want her to be worried. I really don’t. I want her to feel welcome here. I want us to have a great relationship.”
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me with great tenderness. “You’re a treasure, Jayne. Thank you.”
He leaned in for another kiss, but a soft knock on the door broke us apart.
“I think that’s my folks now,” Sin said. “I told them to let us know when they were ready. I’ll let them in.”
I glanced at the time. “They’re a little early, but that’s fine. We can go down to the dining room now. Or we can sit and chat for a bit. It’ll be a great chance to get to know each other.”
Sin opened the door. His father stood on the other side. “Son.”
“Hey, Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“She’s having a little wardrobe malfunction.”
I walked up to them. “Hi, Mr. Crowe. Don’t you look handsome! I see where Sin gets it. What’s going on with Mrs. Crowe?”
He smiled. “Please, call us Anson and Lila. The buckle of her shoe broke. She’s trying to fix it with a safety pin. Shouldn’t be too much longer.”
The poor woman. “What size does she wear?”
“I think eight?” He laughed, obviously a little embarrassed. “I should know that.”
“May I go see her?”
He nodded. “Sure. You think you can fix it?”
“I think I can do better.” I smiled as I went past him. I kept going until I was at their door, knocking. “Lila? It’s me, Jayne.”
She opened the door, one shoe in her hand, the other on her foot. Her dress was gorgeous. Royal-blue jersey hugged her body but showed no skin. I wanted to pull the neck of my dress closed. Instead, I smiled at her. “I heard you’re having an issue with your shoe.”
She sighed and lifted the shoe in her hand. “The buckle broke. I thought I had it fixed, but no.”
I leaned in. “Anson told me you wear a size eight. Is that true?”
“I do, yes.”
“Great. So do I.” I tipped my head toward my apartment. “Why don’t you do a little shopping in my closet to see if there’s a pair in there that will work?”
Her eyes widened a bit. “That is so kind of you.”
“That’s what family does, right?”
She nodded, smiling. “Thank you.”
“Come on, let’s go see what I’ve got for you.”
A few minutes later, Lila was wearing a pair of my heels, a strappy black number with a spray of black crystals across the front straps. “I love these. Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing them?”
“Not at all. It makes me happy that I can help. By the way, would you like to come along to my dress fitting tomorrow? My mom, my aunt, and my friend Birdie will all be there. I’d love for you to join us.”
“Your wedding dress fitting?”
I nodded.
She clasped her hands in front of her. “I would adore that. Yes, absolutely I want to come. Thank you for asking me.”
“Great. Now what do you say we go have some dinner?”
She nodded and off we went to get the men and then to collect Birdie.
We met everyone else in the hall just outside the dining room, where we stood around shaking hands and doing introductions. There was a kind of raucous, happy energy that didn’t often come to the palace. But then, this was a family dinner, and there was a lot to be happy about. The Crowes were lovely people.
They seemed exactly like the kind of in-laws a bride would want.
We went into the dining room, but no one sat yet. Instead, the getting-to-know-you talk kept going. Mostly because the Crowes couldn’t believe they were meeting Santa Claus. But also because Uncle Kris loved a good magic trick, and Anson was happy to oblige him. So much so that he made Lila disappear, which made all of us gasp, then laugh with delight when he reappeared her on the back of a unicorn.
He held one finger up to get our attention. “But watch. I’m not done yet.”
At the snap of Anson’s fingers, Lila dismounted with the light grace of a dancer. A second later, the unicorn disintegrated into smoke and glitter.
We
all gasped again. Then we clapped, because how could we not?
“Very impressive,” my father said. “Your show must be packed every night.”
“We do all right,” Lila said.
“Mom’s just being humble.” Sin’s face glowed with pride. “They’re booked months and months in advance.”
Anson took a bow. “Thank you for allowing us to demonstrate what we do. Although in the show it’s an undead dragon, not a unicorn, but I was trying to read the room.”
I nodded with appreciation. “Good call.”
“You know,” Sin said to his father. “The family I’m about to marry into has their own kind of magic.”
“Oh?” Anson’s thick brows arched in interest. He looked at my dad. “How about a demonstration?”
My father shook his head. “It’s not that kind of magic.”
“Sure, it is,” I said as I got a little shimmer, our word for our particular brand of magic, going. Soft, fat snowflakes began to fall from the ceiling.
Lila held her hands out. “How pretty. That is very cool. No pun intended. Snow is kind of rare in Vegas. We get it, but it never really lasts.”
My father rubbed his hands together, and I knew he was about to show off in a way that only Jack Frost could. “We can do a little more than make it snow.”
He held his hands out, and shards of crystalline-blue ice rose out of the floor where Anson had just worked his spell. The shards grew, curving and taking on a shape that suddenly became recognizable. Lila on the unicorn.
It was Anson’s turn to clap. “I like that, Jack. I like that a lot. Well done, sir.”
My father sketched a grateful bow, then straightened. “I’m glad you like it. But I’m not done either.”
He inhaled, then blew his breath toward the sculpture. It evaporated into a cloud of ice vapor, sending a brief chill and swirls of ephemeral frost through the room that disappeared a few seconds later.
“Amazing,” Lila whispered. “Can you all do that?”
“We can. To some extent,” my mom answered. “But each winter elf’s skill level varies. Jack is the Winter King. No one can match his ability, although our Jayne comes close.”
I smiled a little self-consciously. “Comes with the territory. Uncle Kris has some pretty impressive magic too. His is mostly Christmas-related, though.”
My uncle chuckled and winked at me. “We Kringles have our own skill set, that’s for sure.”
The chime sounded, announcing that dinner was ready, making my mother lift her chin and announce, “We should take our seats.”
My father was at one end of the table, my uncle at the other, then the rest of us on the sides. I was between Lila and Birdie, who was seated next to Aunt Martha. On the opposite side, my mom sat next to my father, then Sinclair and Anson.
Dinner was served. Five courses, not including dessert. There was never a quiet moment, never a moment of contention, just a lot of smiles and laughter and storytelling.
At one point, I found myself just staring across the table at Sinclair, wondering how I had gotten so lucky and feeling utterly overwhelmed with love for him.
My heart was full. Life was good. And it was only going to get better.
“I cannot believe today is the day.” I pressed my hands to my stomach, the silk of my robe cool under my fingers, but the gesture didn’t do much to calm the nerves twisting my stomach into knots. Where had the months gone? How was I actually about to marry Sinclair?
My heart beat with a rhythm I didn’t recognize. Everything about today seemed surreal.
Nesto, my hairdresser, smiled at me in the mirror as he smoothed my hair into a sleek, graceful style that would allow my tiara and veil to shine. “Don’t be nervous. You’re about to marry the man you love.”
“Yes, but it’s happening in front of the entire realm.”
“True, but you’ve spoken to large crowds before. You’ve been in front of large crowds your entire life.”
I took a breath. He was a hundred percent right. “I have been. Why am I so nervous, then?”
Benna was unpacking her makeup kit in preparation for doing my face. “Because this is personal. It’s not about the crown or the throne or the kingdom. It’s about you and Sinclair pledging yourself to each other for eternity. And it just so happens that it’s taking place in front of the entire realm. Which is kind of like you letting all of us into your private life. That would be enough to make anyone feel a little exposed. Who wouldn’t be nervous to share something so personal?”
That explanation made sense, giving me a modicum of relief. “You’re both right. Thank you. That’s absolutely it.”
Allene was steaming my wedding dress, something she’d already done yesterday, but she’d insisted on touching it up this morning. “I think the moment you step out of the Crystal Carriage and see him waiting at the end of the aisle for you, your nerves are going to disappear. All you’ll focus on is that wonderful man of yours.”
“I hope you’re right.” I couldn’t wait to see Sinclair in his tuxedo.
“She is,” Davide said. He was sitting at the desk in my bedroom, a loupe on one eye, giving a final inspection to my jewelry for the day. I wasn’t wearing much. Just my engagement ring, my tiara, and the diamond stud earrings that had been my graduation present from my parents. But it wouldn’t do to have a loose stone or a bent prong. Not on the day that everything had to be perfect. “And when he sees you, he’ll forget all his nerves as well.”
I shifted suddenly, making Nesto groan. “Princess, your hair.”
But I was fixated on Davide. “Sinclair is nervous? How do you know?”
Davide shrugged like he wasn’t going to say more.
I understood. “I know you don’t want to repeat something another staff member told you, but I want to know. I won’t say a word.”
Davide put down the snowflake tiara and twisted to look at me. “Will, his valet, might have mentioned Mr. Crowe was concerned that his suit wasn’t pressed enough, that his cuff links weren’t where he’d seen them last, and that the shine on his shoes seemed, and I quote, ‘less shiny than it could be.’”
I pressed my lips together but smiled anyway. “That’s sweet.”
“It is,” Allene said. “He’s a lovely man, your Sinclair. He’s mad about you.”
I moved back into position so Nesto could finish my hair. For some reason, knowing Sinclair was nervous made me feel better. Like we were in this together. Which we were, obviously. But sharing the same emotions about the day that lay ahead… That was oddly calming. “And I’m mad about him.”
An idea popped into my head. “I want to send him a note. Bring me some paper.”
Benna put down the steamer, went to my desk, opened one of the drawers, and took out a box of my notecards with their matching envelopes. “Will this do?”
“Yes, perfect. And a pen.”
She brought the items to me, then I hastily scrawled a note.
I love you and cannot wait to see you. I am so happy to be marrying you today.
I closed the card, tucked it into an envelope, then sealed it. “Benna, will you take this across the hall to him?”
“I’d be happy to, Princess.” She took it from me and left the room.
Nesto smiled at me in the mirror. “You two are going to make the whole kingdom fall in love with being in love.”
My smiled widened. “I’m okay with that.”
I closed my eyes as Nesto finished working his magic on my hair. When he was done, Benna went to work on my makeup. We’d decided on a bold eye with a soft lip. I didn’t want to kiss my groom and leave him covered in lipstick.
She’d only begun to do my eyes when someone knocked on the door.
Allene went to get it and came back with a note. She held it out to me. “I think your groom has replied.”
With a smile, I tore the envelope open.
My love, all I can think about is seeing you, being with you, and becoming your husband.
P.S. Sugar insisted you say hi to Spider on her behalf.
I laughed. Spider was sleeping on the end of the bed, pretty much oblivious to everything going on. Or at least that’s how he appeared.
I called his name softly. “Spider baby.”
His eyes opened to little slits. I knew he hadn’t been really sleeping.
I waved the note. “Sugar says hi.”
His head came up. “Spider likes Sugar.”
Nesto, Allene, Benna, and Davide went still. They all loved Spider and knew he could talk, but it was rare that they heard him.
“He’s so cute,” Benna breathed out.
Spider looked at her, then licked his foot twice. “Spider cute.”
She laughed softly. “Are you ready for your mama to get married, Spider?”
Spider tilted his head. “Spider and Sugar are going in the carriage.”
“That’s right,” I said. “You’re riding in the carriage with me, then back to the palace with us after we’re married. All the people will be waving to you.”
He stared at me. “Spider not waving. Spider meow. Maybe.”
“Oh, don’t be grumpy. You get to wear a pretty purple bow tie today.”
He suddenly sat up. “Bow tie make Spider look handsome?”
“Yes, very handsome.”
“Okay. Sugar wear bow tie?”
“No, Sugar is wearing a purple ruffle that matches. She will look very pretty.”
“Okay. Spider likes.” He started to lie down, then got right back up. “Spider wants to get married too, Mama.”
“You want to marry me?”
“No, Mama. Spider and Sugar get married.”
“Um…are you saying you want to marry Sugar?”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Okay, I’m sure we can arrange that.”
“Now, Mama.”
My brows lifted. “Have you even asked Sugar if she wants to marry you?”
“Sugar loves Spider.”
“Okay, but—”
“Now, Mama.”
“Well, Bossy Britches, hold your horses.” I glanced at Allene. “Can you go back to Sinclair’s and inform him of this new development?”
She nodded, barely containing her laughter. “I’m on it.”
Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 7) Page 17