“Just one, but it’s not for you.” Her mom stared at Lila. “Are you sure he is the one for you?”
“Yes.” She didn’t even hesitate. Lila glanced into his familiar blue gaze. “Dris is the one I want for now and forever.”
He smiled at her, a brilliant grin. “Remember to say that in the next two weeks as I plan our wedding.”
“I’m ready for anything, as long as I am with you.”
“Ah…sweetie, our baby is getting married.” Her mom sniffed. “So, Dris, tell us about yourself. Not what is in the media. We want to know the man who is marrying our daughter.”
Driscoll leaned back, pulling Lila into his side, and started to talk with her family.
* * * *
“I love him.” Lila drummed her finger on the table then repeated it. “I love him.”
“Do you think repeating it over and over will lessen your wanting to kill him?” Aja asked, pushing her shoulder into hers.
“I think it’s more of a warning she’s about to kill him.” Colby chuckled.
“Poor Dris.”
They looked at Storm when he said it. He lifted his hand. “Hey, no need to glare at me. I feel sorry that he was stupid enough to make the mistake of getting between a woman and her choosing what she wants to wear. Especially when it is her wedding day.”
“I did tell him I would take care of my own dress.” Lila drummed her fingers on the counter again. “Hell he even said yes, yes he understood the fifty million other times I mentioned it since I asked him to marry me.”
“He probably didn’t hear a word you said,” Storm said. “When in wedding mode, it all goes in one ear and out the next. Usually it is when the woman is bothering you to tell you pick a color for something.”
They glared at him again. He held up his hands again and rolled his eyes. “I’m just saying, he’s one brave man to be planning a wedding with Reggie, Irene and Aida.” Storm shuddered. “Those women individually are a force of nature, but put them together and I’d run and cluck like a chicken when I did. Cluck, cluck.”
They all laughed.
“I’m so glad to hear you laugh.” Driscoll came in followed by Bella and a gorgeous green-eyed man Lila didn’t recognize. “You haven’t been the last few days.”
“Just stressing.” She slid off the stool and went to him. “Hi, Bella.”
“Congrats again, Lila.” Bella hugged her then released her, gesturing to the man with her. “This is Harcourt Reid and he’s here to design your wedding gown for you. Tell him your specifications and he’ll make it happen. He’s handled all my gowns when I performed.”
“My choices?” Lila stared at her then at Driscoll, who had a smug smile on his lips.
“Yes, honey.” Bella squeezed her hands. “It’s your wedding. Dris called me to get Harcourt here. Dris didn’t want you to stress over a gown that you had to get in a rush and settle for something you don’t want. So Harcourt is here to make sure you have the dress of your dreams.”
“Dris could have called me himself but was being ornery,” Harcourt said in a cadence with a wisp of Scottish.
“I don’t piss off people who work closely with me.” Driscoll crossed his arms over his chest.
“Ahh… Where is the lovely Irene?” Harcourt smiled widely.
“Dris, Aida just told me you brought in fucking Ha—” Irene stopped in the doorway and her gaze narrowed. She glared at Driscoll then pivoted and exited.
“Come on, little sis,” Harcourt called.
Lila’s eyes widened as she studied the Caucasian man then thought of the sienna-skinned Irene.
“Step-siblings.” Harcourt rolled his eyes. “That is, when she claims me. At the moment she’s mad at me.”
“Which has gone on for too long. The two of you are stubborn.” Driscoll glared at Harcourt. “Fix it before you ruin my wedding. Or I will gut you.” Driscoll focused on Lila. “Tell him what you need and he’ll get it done.”
“Okay.” She pulled Driscoll to the side away from the others. “I didn’t know Irene had any family.”
“She had a whole lot of family. All brothers—step-siblings—and she likes to argue with them. Harcourt and she are the same age and the two of them grew up together. They rarely argue, but when they do, they can be stubborn to work it out.”
“So you brought him here so they can make up?”
“Nope. I risked Irene’s wrath to get you the best designer I know. I sent Bella so I could tell Irene I didn’t contact him. As you can see, that didn’t do me any good.”
“Thanks, Dris.” She hugged him then lifted her head to kiss him.
“Now, now, you can do that after you’re married. I have a lot to do in a short space of time,” Harcourt said. “Let’s get going so I can get an idea of what you want for your wedding gown and your bridesmaids and bridesmen. Although we seem to be missing a few of each.”
Lila smiled, stepping back. “My sisters will be here shortly. And Storm’s brother is running late but will be here in an hour. So, Mister Reid?”
“Just Harcourt,” he said. “Do you have me set up in the sun room, Dris?”
Dris nodded.
“Okay then.” Harcourt headed out. “Come on, people, we have measurements to take so we can make you all spectacular.”
Lila hugged Driscoll once more and went off after him. Aja linked arms with her, squeezing.
“See, he wasn’t trying to take over picking your gown.”
“Yeah.” She leaned against her friend and considered herself lucky to have such a wonderful man.
Soon she would be married to him, but first they needed to get through planning the ceremony.
* * * *
“Aren’t you nervous?” Lila poked at Driscoll.
He rolled his head toward her. “Nope. Tomorrow you will be all mine.”
“Tomorrow. The time went so fast.” Lila loved the possessiveness in his tone.
“To me it dragged.” Driscoll shrugged. “We should have eloped.”
“Why?”
“Because then I could have already had you as my wife. Then make you barefoot and pregnant.”
“Your caveman is showing.”
“No caveman.” Driscoll leaned closer. “At the candy store on Halloween, I saw you touch your stomach and I wanted you to have my child.”
“I want that too,” Lila said softly.
“No time like the present to give it a shot.” Driscoll pulled her into his lap. “And we’ll keep trying and trying until we get you pregnant.”
“Yes.” She moaned, kissing him.
“Lila?”
“Fuck.” Lila groaned putting her head into his shoulder. “Make her go away.”
“Not going anywhere,” Irene said cheerfully.
Lila lifted her head and glared at her over her shoulder. “What do you wa—?”
She stared suspiciously at the group of smiling women with Irene.
“Bachelorette party.” Irene’s pale gray eyes twinkled devilishly.
“And a bachelor party for Dris.” Stuart came in with the men.
“I—”
“No excuses,” Irene said.
Irene and Aja came and pulled her off Driscoll’s lap. Driscoll stood and caught her hand, lifting it to his lips.
“I’ll see you at the altar tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
They parted on that promise. Lila looked back at him as they led her away.
Chapter Ten
Lila rolled over and blinked. She stretched, grinning as she realized her wedding day was finally here. Her hand brushed against something and she looked at the bed beside her. She sat up and studied the fairly large, ornate box. She pulled off the card.
To my bride on her wedding day. Meet you at the altar so we can start our forever after together. —Dris
She opened the box and gasped at the array of hair combs. It had to be Driscoll’s mom’s collection. Lila blinked, overwhelmed that he’d given her this. She lifted her head
to glance at the clock then slammed the lid of the box closed, her eyes wide.
“I’m gonna be late for my wedding.” She jumped up out of bed and rushed out into the suite of the hotel.
Lila paused, horror filling her as she spotted the women lying all over the place—everyone in her bridal party as well as those who’d come to the bachelorette party.
There was a knock on the door then it was pushed open. “Is everyone decent?” Storm came in with his brother.
“Help me!” Lila said.
“Damn, Lila,” Aja groaned. “Shut the hell up.”
“Shut the hell up?” Lila went to her and pushed at her leg, staring down at where she was sprawled. “This is my wedding day and none of you are ready.” She turned and squatted by Irene, who was beside her. Lila shook her. “You’re the master planner and yet on my wedding day, you decide to slack off. Wake up, Irene.”
“I’m up.” Irene sat up and blinked bloodshot eyes. “What time is it?”
“Too damn early.” Aida sat up, leaning on Irene and not opening her eyes.
“We have an hour to get to the house for the ceremony!” Lila screamed in her face. “Why didn’t the hairdresser or makeup person come and wake us?”
Aida’s eyes popped open and she winced.
“Shoot me now.” Bella rolled over, whimpering.
“This is your fault, Reggie.” Julianne moaned. “Daring us for one more shot.”
“Shut up.” Regina came to her knees.
“I’m gonna shoot the next person who screams.” Colby rose from behind the couch and slumped over the back.
“You ladies should learn to hold your liquor,” Storm said.
The women all growled. Storm backed up, his brother with him.
“Ladies, we need to get Lila married because God knows we all want Dris to be settled.” Irene stood and brushed off her T-shirt. “Let’s get this done.”
The rest of the women stirred, all moaning.
“I said move,” Irene roared then held her head. “I’m gonna die. My head.” She glanced at the men at the door. “You two get loads of coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They left.
“Why are you still squatting there?” Irene yanked Lila up. “Go shower while I go scream at the makeup and hairdresser who seem to be missing.”
“Irene, are you going to be able to get me there on time?” Lila stared at her knowing if Irene said she would, it would happen. Irene was a force that no one seemed to be able to stop or control. Lila was counting on that in this important moment in her life.
“If you move your ass I will.” Irene made a shooing motion with her hands.
Taking her at her word, Lila left to go to the bedroom. She was glad she hadn’t followed the rest of them and kept drinking. She had wanted a clear head when she married the man she loved.
* * * *
“Where the hell are they?” Driscoll paced back and forth in his bedroom. “Why the hell did they have to get a suite for last night?”
“So they could have fun and we could have fun here,” Stuart said patiently.
“I have a big house with more than enough space—they could have stayed here. Our ceremony is here. She should be here.” He stopped then blinked. “What if something happened to her? What if she’s hurt?”
“Do one of you want to slap sense in him or should I?” Spencer said.
“No, please, let me,” Dakota said.
“I’ll help,” Morgan added.
“I hate all of you.” Driscoll yanked at his hair. “Where is she?”
“Waiting for you to marry her,” Storm said.
Hearing his voice, Driscoll realized if Storm was there, she was too. He relaxed. Storm and his brother had been at the bachelor party with them but had left earlier to meet up with Lila and the others since they were walking down the aisle as her bridesmen. It worked out, because his two female band members, as well as Aida and Irene, were part of his groomsmen. The men would be doing double duty by going down the aisle twice.
Driscoll frowned. “Wait, why isn’t Irene coming to tell me they are here?”
“Ummm… The ladies got a little drunk last night. All of them except for Lila.”
“Irene and Aida got drunk?” Driscoll laughed. “Oh, I’m so going to tease them about this.”
“Now he’s calm,” Spencer said.
“Be careful, he might have another freak out,” Stuart warned.
“I’m good. Lila is here and soon will be my wife.” Driscoll went over to his groomsmen and slapped them on the shoulders. “Let’s go get married.”
They headed for the door. Irene, Aida and his two female band members met him in the hall leading to the ballroom. Driscoll was impressed he couldn’t tell they were hungover. He led them and the others out into the room. Pleased at how the room had been transformed for his wedding, he made a mental note to thank Reggie, Dakota and the other partners of Moments who had all pulled together to get his wedding planned in such a short time. He knew they had been working on other weddings as well as his.
Driscoll stood tall and waited for her to come to him. The music started and Driscoll faced the doors. They were opened on each side by a pageboy then the bridesmaids came down the aisle. He didn’t really notice them, all his focus on getting a glimpse of Lila. The Wedding March came on and Lila came into view with her father.
Driscoll’s breath caught as he stared at the vision coming toward him. The halter-top dress left her shoulders bare while the front plunged into a deep V, showing her cleavage. The gown fell in soft waves to the floor, flowing around her as she moved to him. As she came closer, Driscoll’s eyes dampened when he saw her wearing his mother’s hair comb. The golden bouquet of flowers she held had been made for her by Dakota, and Driscoll recalled that it was held together with one of the T-shirts about embracing love. Lila reached him and he took her hand from her dad. He breathed out when her hand settled in his.
Lila leaned close to him. “You look like you’re ready to run,” she teased.
“Never.” He kissed her hand and they turned to the minister.
“We are gathered here…”
* * * *
Hours later, Driscoll held Lila close as they danced. He gazed down at her, so happy she was his wife.
“You’re looking at me like you don’t believe we’re married.” She held up her hand. “This is proof. You put a ring on it.” She grinned.
“I did.” Driscoll laughed and held up his hand that matched hers. “You did too.”
“Damn right. You’re mine now, Dris.” Lila swayed to the music. “Till death do us part. Even when we go into the great beyond, I will find you and we will live for eternity together. Driscoll, you are so changeable that you keep me wondering what will be next. I figure you’ll be doing that forever.”
“Yes.” Driscoll noticed the signal he was waiting for. “I’ll be back a moment.”
Lila nodded. Driscoll motioned for Irene and Aida. They came and started to keep Lila distracted as he headed to the curtained off area. When he stepped through, he was glad to see that everyone was there. He nodded to Regina and Dakota then turned to Bella.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” She hugged him. “You’re gonna have to write me something for my wedding.”
“Of course.” He kissed her cheek.
Taking the mic, he watched as the lights dimmed. He and Bella took their places then the slow steady beat of the drums came as Stuart started them off. When the rest of the band joined in one by one, Driscoll’s heart rose as he heard the song he’d written for her—Lila.
“Life is but an absent shell,” Driscoll sang as the light illuminated him.
He stared at Lila who sat on a stool just a few feet from them. Dakota and Regina danced along with the troop they had around her, adding depth to the song.
“When time catches up with you, you never expect it.” Bella’s sultry alto rose with a thrilling note before she went deep, exuding sensuality. “Fin
ding what you never knew you needed.”
“Dreams never formed yet in your soul.” Driscoll pounded his fist against his chest as he danced toward her.
Bella sang with him, melding their melodies. When he stood before Lila, Driscoll stared into her eyes. “An unexpected encounter changes your world. Brings your soul to life.”
“My soul mate. All mine.”
Lila blinked, tears raining down her face. He wiped them away gently, still singing to her. All else faded as he poured out his love in song. The rise and lull of the song he dedicated to her. At the culmination of the lyrics, he pulled her into his arms and swayed with her as he repeated, “An unexpected encounter changes your world. Brings your soul to life.”
“My soul mate. All mine.”
Bella’s and his voices rose on those words and held there before fading. The applause was loud and wild. Driscoll held Lila close. Irene came and took the mic.
“I love you, Lila Jacobs.”
“I love you, Driscoll Jacobs.” She kissed him softly then leaned back. “Now for my surprise.” She turned him then led him to the same stool.
Lila stood by his side. The lights flashed up and Regina and Dakota posed with Regina turned away and him holding her hand as if urging her to come back.
“This is called Chemical Imbalance,” Bella said then she belted out, “Love is just a chemical imbalance that you can control if you have the right mindset.”
“Oh no, no. It’s not.”
Driscoll chuckled and pulled Lila to him. “It isn’t at all.”
Lila placed her hand on his shoulders. “Damn skippy it isn’t. Love is a gift and finding it is a great adventure. That unexpected encounter was the best thing that happened to me.”
“Me too.” Driscoll held her. “It brought you into my path.”
“Sometimes fate gives you a kick in the teeth and you need to just pay attention.”
“Now that we’ll have to put on a T-shirt.” He moved her before him. “Start you with your own collection of T-shirts.”
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