Page 18 of The Marriage Mission

Birdy cleared her throat. "Should I give you two a moment?"

"No, it’s fine," Jacqui said, snatching the pen out of Noah's hold and signing her name beside his.

Noah felt a quiet resolution settle over them. The prenup defined their financial boundaries. But he had every intention of rerouting the unwritten romantic grid of their marriage.

ChapterTwelve

Jacqui stared at her reflection and didn't wholly recognize herself. The mirror showed a woman transformed, her hair artfully arranged in swirls and curls, with delicate flowers woven through like whispers of spring. Bunny and Jules had insisted on the floral accents. Despite her initial resistance, Jacqui now found herself grateful for their persistence.

She hadn't planned to tell anybody what was happening today. She could still barely believe it herself. But she'd never been able to keep anything from her best friend. And once Bunny knew, she insisted Jacqui tell her sisters.

"You're doing this because of Nãinai, aren't you?"

Jules continued to add flowers to Jacqui's hair. Her baby sister had always had an artful touch, which was why her cakes and cookies were so sought after. People loved to look at them as much as they loved to eat them.

Jacqui herself looked edible now with the soft petals adding a touch of whimsy to her elegant updo. Jules' design framed her face with gentle bursts of color that seemed to echo her blooming feelings. It was a contrast to her usual pragmatic self, confined within the walls of Chow Town. Today, however, she was not just a restaurateur but a bride. She wasn't in the back of the house, overseeing her family's recipes. She was the topper on the wedding cake.

"Since when have you known your sister to bow to grannie-pressure?" Bunny stepped in, adjusting one of Jacqui's stubborn curls.

Jacqui was grateful for her friend’s save. She was so lightheaded from the pins in her hair and the floral scents wafting up her nose that she just might have told her sister the truth.

Jules frowned and then raised a brow. "Fair point. But they've only known each other a week."

"Ten days," said Jacqui.

"You just never said?—"

"She said something to me," said Bunny.

Jules' face fell, her fingers hesitating on the flower she had been placing in Jacqui's hair. "You didn't think you could tell me that you were falling in love, Jacks?"

Jacqui swallowed. Lying didn't come easy to her. Leaving bits and bobs out or telling half-truths she could manage. But an outright lie?

"We didn't fall in love."

Jules gasped. Her hands fell to her sides. The last flower fluttered to the ground like it was fainting.

Bunny scrunched her nose. Her brows drew together in a wince. Her gaze said,I can't help you now.

"It was a practical decision," Jacqui insisted.

"Thisisbecause of Nainai." Jules' voice was almost a whine, like when Jacqui told her she couldn't have any more sweets for the day.

"That's a bonus. I won't lie. But Noah, he's…steady."

"Steady?"

Jacqui struggled for the words to calm her sister's worries. Then she realized they were right there at the tip of her brain. "You ever met someone who makes you feel safe? Noah's honest, even to his own detriment. He's strong and capable. When I'm with him, I just feel like I can take a break and not worry, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. It's how I've felt my whole life with you as my big sister."

Jacqui opened her arms, and Jules came into them. As she squeezed her, Jacqui wondered if her baby sister had lost a bit of weight. She felt just a touch too thin. She'd have to cart lunch over to her for the next couple of days and sit with her while she ate to be sure she was keeping up her caloric intake.

"Except the parts where you hover over me." Jules' voice was muffled as she her face was turned into Jacqui's bosom.

Jacqui gave one last squeeze before she let her baby sister go.

"I have to go make sure my phone is charged so I can stream it to Jami," said Jules.

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