Almost Perfect
Page 20
As they start the walk back up the aisle, she gives me a smile that causes more tears to slide down my cheeks. Looking as radiant and happy as a bride should, she smiles at me. As she walks back up the aisle, more tears slide down my cheeks. I am happy this day has finally arrived. After they postponed it the last time, I was worried mom might never go through with it but Lincoln didn’t let up and pushed for today to happen. When she reaches Iris and Bryan, she clasps Iris’ hand and gives it a squeeze. Tears have been glittering in Iris’ eyes since the start of the ceremony, maybe even before that.
It is almost time for the first dance, and as the opening bars to ‘Lucky’ sound, Lincoln sweeps her into his arms and they start a slow dance around the floor. It is impossible to take my eyes off them. They are contained in their own little bubble, unaware of everyone watching them. When Lincoln dips his head to whisper something into my mom’s ear, her lips curl up into a coy smile. She curls further into his body, and he kisses her head. Even though they are in a room full of friends and family, it is so intimate and I avert my eyes.
“You’ll be next.” Dawn tips her glass of champagne at me and nods over to where Dominic stands next to her husband, Keith. My eyes follow and when he meets my eye, he flashes me a dazzling smile that still manages to dampen my panties.
“Not for a while,” I scoff, but she gives me a knowing smile and shakes her head in disbelief.
“Somehow, I don’t think he’ll want to wait. He’s got that look.” I jerk around to stare at her, and she laughs at my confused expression.
“What look?” He doesn’t look any different to me.
“He would marry you tomorrow if he could.” Before she can carry on her attention turns back to the first dance. “We’re up.” She nudges me, and with a laugh, I push up from the table and walk over to Dominic. His eyes light up as I approach and slip my hand in his to lead him on to the dance floor. Dawn and Keith join us followed by the rest of the guests.
Dominic and I barely move from the spot we’re standing on. His hands rest on my hips, holding me close. The heat radiating from them sends my temperature rocketing. Bringing his head to the side of mine, a warm breath brushes over my ear as he murmurs,
“I’m not waiting.”
“Huh?”
“To marry you,” he clarifies uncannily, as though he knew what Dawn was saying earlier.
“But…” I really don’t know why I’m protesting. I wouldn’t have agreed otherwise.
“But nothing. You, Charlie Ross, will be my wife sooner rather than later.” A thrill passes through me, and I don’t argue.
“No argument or sarcastic remark?” He arches his eyebrow, expectantly.
“Nope, you won’t get one this time,” I answer sweetly and a satisfied smile grows on his face as holds me tighter.
“Did you enjoy your summer?” he asks his voice growing serious.
“Best summer ever. Thanks for taking me with you.”
Dominic scoffs, “As if you had any other option.” He’s right, there was no way either of us wanted Dominic to go on the road without me, especially after what happened with Simon. We spent the whole summer on the road, traveling in Dominic’s truck to different bars where they would play. After each gig we would stay at the bar or find a party, but each night ended with us together, wrapped in each other’s arms. True to my word, I sat with the girls and didn’t hide out at the bar. There was no doubt we were together, if my engagement ring wasn’t already a dead giveaway.
“Grace’s face when she saw your ring…” Dominic chuckles as he remembers all the screeching that followed as soon as Grace spotted the engagement ring on my finger. I had only just shut the truck door when she pounced on me. I couldn’t hear properly afterward.
“How did you know what size to get?” I wonder. I hadn’t really considered it at the time, but in the whirlwind of congratulations that followed, I had forgotten all about it.
Dominic dips his head, looking embarrassed. “Ah, I might have measured your finger in your sleep.” I chuckle at the lengths he’d gone to make this perfect. “My mom might have also helped a little,” he admits and confirms my earlier suspicion that she knew what was going on. “And your mom was over the moon.”
“Of course, she was. She loves you. It helped cheer her up, especially as she was so worried after what happened with Simon.” I push up onto my tiptoes and press a kiss to his lips. Instead of it being a quick kiss, he gathers me around the waist and holds me to him. His tongue sweeps over mine, taking my breath away.
“We’ve nearly come full circle. Next week is the start of the semester.”
“Yep, a whole year since I reinvented myself.”
“How’d that work out for you?” he asks, teasing.
“Well, I managed to bag the hottest member of Supercharged, who asked me to marry him. So I think it turned out pretty well.” I flash him a sly smile and his lips brush over my lips.
“You’re not the only one to change,” he points out, and he’s right. Gone is the player who never dated.
With a wink I ask, “How’s that going?”
He twirls me around and pulls me flush with his hard body that looks amazing in his smart suit. “Pretty fucking fantastic. I scored this hot girl, who’s generally a good girl, but has a thing for car sex, so I can’t complain. Especially now that she’s agreed to marry me.” He beams down at me.
“You’re nuts.” I laugh and bury my head against his chest.
I’m pretty sure the song ended a long time ago, but we keep moving at our own pace, lost in our own little bubble.
Acknowledgements
As always I want to say a huge thank you to L.A. Cotton and Jennifer Pyers Holter for not only their help with writing this book (and every other book) but also for their continued friendship. God knows what they did to get stuck with me but I am grateful to have them.
I am lucky to have two beta extraordinaire, Missy and Barbara. Thank you for your help and suggestions, even when I’m being vague and cryptic, they seem to understand exactly what I mean.
Thank you to Jenny Carslrud Sims for her patience and eye to detail and also to Robin Harper at Wicked By Design for her amazing covers, she always gets it just right.
To all the blogs that participated in cover reveals, release blitz and blog tours, thank you so much for your hard work and effort. It’s amazing when you see your book cover being shared on Facebook.
And of course thank you to everyone that has bought my books, ‘sent me messages to say how much you enjoyed them or liked’ my author page on Facebook.
Almost Perfect Playlist
Want To Want Me – Jason Derulo
What You Don’t Do – Lianne La Havas
Vintage – High Dive Heart
Fantasy – Felix Jaehn Remix
Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
Black Magic – Little Mix
Rivers – Thomas Jack
She’s Kinda Hot – 5 Seconds of Summer
Easy Love – Sigala
I Love It When You Cry – Steve Aoki, Moxie Raia
Good Girls – 5 Seconds of Summer
How Deep Is Your Love – Calvin Harris