Page 43 of In A Mood For Mr. Wrong

I drop my head into my hands. "Oh my God."

Grayson is fully laughing now, pulling his tie into place. "That man is a menace."

"No kidding!" Olivia huffs. "Tessa just texted me in all caps: 'WHAT IS A FORK ETIQUETTE MASTERCLASS AND WHY IS THIS MY LIFE NOW?'"

I shake my head, suppressing a laugh. "Okay, we need damage control. Tell her to feign food poisoning, or claim a sudden tragic case of jet lag."

"Too late," Olivia deadpans. "Elliot just sent her an itinerary for the trip. InPowerPoint format."

I slap a hand over my face while Grayson grins. "Evans, your matchmaking empire is turning into a full-blown crisis management firm."

I sigh. "Tell me something I don’t know."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You’re joking."

"I wish I was. Fix this before we have an international incident."

Grayson chuckles from across the room, watching me with amusement as he buttons his cuffs. "Trouble in matchmaking paradise?"

I toss a pillow at him. "Just another day atPerfectly Matched."

He catches it easily, stepping closer, his voice softer. "And you wouldn’t have it any other way."

I smile, warmth filling my chest. "No, I really wouldn’t." As we step out the door together, side by side, ready to face whatever comes next, I realize, this isn’t just a victory. This is the beginning of something even bigger."

32

MARGOT

The sun filters through the massive windows of the ballroom, casting a warm glow over the extravagant floral arrangements of white roses and delicate peonies, their fragrance drifting through the air. Rows of elegantly dressed guests sit in gold-accented chairs, murmuring excitedly as the ceremony begins. Crystal chandeliers sparkle above, reflecting warm golden hues over the polished marble floors. The air is thick with anticipation, the kind that lingers before a momentous occasion, a collective hush settling over the crowd as the first notes from the string quartet drift through the air.

The altar is framed by towering floral arches, soft candlelight flickering in the background. Tessa walks down the aisle with a radiant smile, her gown catching the light like spun silk. The fitted bodice accentuates her elegant frame, while the flowing skirt trails behind her like a cloud, delicate lace details shimmering under the golden light. A soft veil cascades down her back, blending seamlessly into her hair. She looks like something out of a dream, effortless and stunning. Elliot stands tall at the altar, but his nerves betray him. His custom-tailored tuxedo is sharp, a classic black suit with an ivory silk tie thatcomplements Tessa’s dress perfectly, but the slight tremor in his hands gives away his emotions. Even from here, I can see the way he looks at her, as if nothing else in the world exists but the woman walking toward him. His jaw tightens, his throat bobs as he swallows hard, blinking rapidly like he's trying not to completely lose it. The energy in the room shifts, a deep, palpable warmth settling over the guests. A love story reaching its long-awaited climax.

As I watch them, I squeeze Grayson’s hand, feeling his warmth seep into me. This wedding, this moment, it’s not just theirs. It’s a reminder of all the roads that led us here, of how love finds its way, even through the most unexpected twists.

I stifle a smirk as Elliot shifts nervously at the altar. His posture is stiff, his eyes wide with a sort of panicked awe. Tessa, meanwhile, looks effortlessly stunning, her gown flowing like something out of a fairy tale, serene, confident, and just a little bit smug.

Grayson leans in, voice low in my ear. “Fifty bucks says Elliot cries before the vows are done.”

I arch a brow. “You think he’s going to make it that far? He looks ready to crack now.”

Right on cue, Elliot clears his throat, blinking rapidly. I bite my lip to hold in a laugh. Tessa leans in and whispers something to him, and even from here, I can practically hear the sarcasm. His shoulders relax the second she smiles at him.

Grayson grins. “Remember when he told us he wanted tomarryher? After, like, two weeks?”

I chuckle. “I thought he was having a breakdown. Or testing a new matchmaking algorithm and now here we are. The disaster match turned dream couple.”

“We both thought we were going to have to pull them apart with a crowbar,” he laughs,

“And instead, we’re here,” Grayson adds, watching Elliot with a fond shake of his head. “He’s completely gone for her.”

“He made her a custom crossword proposal,” I murmur. “With clues that spelled out ‘Will you marry me?’”

Grayson snorts. “And she said yes even after he spelledcroissantwrong.”

“The power of love,” I deadpan.

The ceremony continues, and when the officiant finally announces them as husband and wife, Elliot doesn’t even wait for permission. He just pulls Tessa in and kisses her like he’s afraid she’ll disappear. The crowd erupts in cheers and laughter, and I find myself clapping along, warmth blooming in my chest.

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