“You’re fine,” Arianna promised. “I love you too.”
“Think you and Isandro will ever get married?”
Arianna smiled sadly. “With his parents’ history, I’m not sure. He’s mine forever. Even if he never gives me a ring, I’ll always be happy. I don’t need a ceremony.”
“Sure you do. Maybe he’s waiting for the right time.”
“Maybe.” Arianna blinked back tears and shimmied into the strapless peach dress.
“So pretty,” Cherise murmured, smiling wider than anything she’d ever seen.
“Not as beautiful as you, but it’s your day, so stop.”
“Don’t know about that, Arianna. Doesn’t matter. We make a gorgeous set of sisters.”
“We do.” She laughed softly. “Why didn’t you ask Antoinette to be a bridesmaid?”
“She’s so doom and gloom lately I didn’t want her bringing us down. I’m starting a happy new marriage, and she thinks it will go down in flames. Besides, she would be a raving bitch to you. I’d rather have the fun sister than the snotty one up there with me.”
* * * *
Isandro kept Arianna on the dance floor as much of the reception as he could. Her smile was infectious. He could hardly wait for the bouquet toss.
The DJ announced it was time for the cake.
Arianna bit her lip. “Wish me luck. I need to cut the cake.” She made her way through the crowd.
He followed to watch her. If he didn’t know better, he wouldn’t have thought she was nervous.
Cherise and Bentley oohed and ahhed over the cake. Then Cherise took a bite and lit up like a beacon. “So good, Arianna,” she said around a mouthful.
Arianna dipped her head shyly. Then Bentley took a bite and agreed with an enthusiastic nod. Everyone lined up and cake was passed out. Isandro waited on the edge of the crowd until she finally finished.
Seemed to take forever for the line to end. He made his way to her and took their plates to the wedding party’s table.
“Everyone loves the cake,” he murmured.
She nodded. “I might be able to do this. One more test run before I decide. They do take a lot of work.”
“True, but you enjoyed creating this cake. And even cut into slices, it’s beautiful.”
Arianna smiled, taking another bite.
“And your toast was sweet. Even Antoinette teared up.”
She smiled. “I was always closer to Cherise. Antoinette treated me like a barely tolerated brat from the moment I was born.”
“Her loss. Maybe she’ll see how you two have grown so close and relax. Maybe she can make the same strides your mother has.”
“Maybe.” She turned to Isandro and leaned closer. “Can we talk about anything besides my sister?”
“Of course. How about our trip to the Bahamas?” They’d gone to Hawaii a month before. He convinced her to let him pay for the next trip.
“When do you want to go?”
“Maybe in three months?” he asked.
“Sure. We’ll start looking at dates.”
His heart thundered in his chest when the DJ announced, “All the single ladies, make your way to the dance floor. It’s time for the bouquet toss.”
“Go on,” he urged Arianna.
“I really don’t need to,” she whispered.
“Yes, you do. Don’t disappoint Cherise.” Or me, he thought.
Rolling her eyes, she made her way to the dance floor.
* * * *
Arianna wanted to sit next to Isandro and forget the bouquet. Last thing she wanted was to catch the flowers and have him thinking he had to do anything he was uncomfortable with.
She tried to stand in the back, but her mother pushed her toward the front. Ella took her hand and dragged her to the center.
“No reason you shouldn’t go for it,” Ella whispered.
“You’re the next one getting married. You should catch it,” Arianna answered.
“That’s happening with or without flowers.”
“Come on, ladies, get ready to catch the bouquet!” Cherise hollered, then turned around, swinging the flowers back. “One, two, three.” She glanced over her shoulder and chucked the flowers right into Arianna’s arms.
Her smile crumbled as the ladies cheered.
Then someone turned her gently. Isandro went to one knee with a small velvet box.
Tears filled her eyes and her heart swelled.
He licked his lips and stared into her soul. “It took forever for the most beautiful girl in the world to finally notice me. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you go. Say you’ll spend your life with me. I’ll treat you like the queen you are. Marry me.”
“Yes.” A tear fell down her face as she pulled him to a stand. “I love you, Isandro.”
“Love you too, Ari. Forever and then some.”
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter
or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Box Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Fated Love
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Entangled Darkness
Deadly Design (10-24-16)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth (9-5-16)
Backburn (1-6-17)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.
Acknowledgments
Dear husband, I’m so glad you’ve pulled through the health scare of a lifetime. Things will only get better.
To my mother, who is amazing and supportive of all I do, thank you for everything.
My kids, who still love their crazy mamma, love you three so very much.
Rebecca Brooke, you are amazing. Thank you for all the feedback. You know I’ll always alpha read for you.
Kristin Mayer, have I mentioned you’re spectacular. Thank you for reading and giving feedback. I’ll always do the same for you.
Emily A. Lawrence, it’s been a pleasure working with you. Makes editing so much smoother. Thank you for all you do.
To the River’s Others, I don’t say it enough, thank you for everything.
River’s Shenanigans, you all make
me smile. Thank you for discussing my books with me.
To my betas, you are all truly appreciated.
And to my readers, you are all the best. You go on this crazy journey with me, and I feel a little less nuts. Thank you for the support.
Backburn
Coming January 6th, 2017
Sometimes to control a fire you have to start one.
A string of arsons has Officer Marissa Cortez willing to pair up with an old flame in order to find the firebug. She’ll do her best to ignore the chemistry that has never died.
He realized his mistake in the midst of danger.
Seasoned fireman, Dave Metcalf, has a sea of regrets. The biggest was pushing his now ex-wife away while recovering from a bad fire. With her illness, his son comes to live with him again, giving him a new perspective.
Watching a comrade go down pushes Metcalf to help in the investigation.
The spark never died between Marissa and Metcalf. They’ll have to work together to find the culprit and end the wave of destruction sweeping Lakeridge.
Preorder available.
Sweet Tooth Page 22