Page 18 of Because You Loved Me

Noa had tossed and turned, and more than once she’d strongly considered heading up to the eighth floor to knock on doors until she found Asher and his smooth hands and hot kisses that had turned her inside out.

She hadn’t planned to kiss him in the elevator. But then there he was, with his smoldering eyes, that sexy smile that made her stomach flip, and his smooth compliments that made her feel exactly how she needed to feel.

Besides, Ryan had encouraged her toblow off some steam.Too bad that kiss had only generated more of it.

A lot more.

Even at the time, Noa knew she was going to live to regret getting off that elevator and going to her own room. Alone.

But would she really be feeling any different at this moment, had the night before played out in any other way and she’d had a little bit of pre-marital fun?

No.

The whole concept of that, and the fact that she was about to marry a man who encouraged it, only made her feel worse.

Noa forced all thoughts of Asher, and what could have been, from her head. She straightened up and let her gaze travel the length of her reflection in the mirror, down the fitted ivory satin bodice, to the skirt that flared out at her knees. Her shoulders were bare for the moment; a white faux fur shawl would complete the look.

She had a long veil attached to the back of her hair, which she’d chosen to wear in soft curls that hung down her back.

“Oh!” Her mother and father appeared in her reflection. “Darling, you look…” Her mother buried her face in a tissue.

“Mom.” Noa spun around to face them properly. “Don’t cry. Please.”

She knew it was a pointless plea. Her mother had done nothing but cry in the last few years since the accident. At least today the tears should be happy ones.

That was the whole point. The Briggs and Little families needed something to smile about. They deserved it.

“She’s just so happy, Noa.” Her father, Charles, took her hand. “We both are. I don’t think we ever thought we’d see the day when our families would become one. Not after…”

“I know, Dad.” Noa swallowed her own emotions down. If she let herself lose control so early on, she didn’t stand a chance of making it through the day. But not for the same reason as her mom and dad. “But here we are.” She forced a smile to her face.

“Ryan’s a great man.” Charles nodded in an effort to appear stoic. “And he’s so good to you, kiddo. I have to admit, none of us saw it coming with the two of you, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are so glad that your friendship evolved into something deeper. We’re just so happy for the both of you.”

“I know you are, Dad.”

“The two of you are going to be so happy.” Janice finally regained control of her emotions. “And you are the most beautiful bride, Noa. I…I just…”

When she once more crumbled into tears, Noa looked to her dad for help.

Thankfully, he took the hint and kissed her on the cheek before steering her mother out of the room. “I’ll see you soon for the big moment, kiddo.”

Once they were gone, the suite felt empty. Noa had purposely chosen to get ready on her own. She wasn’t sure how she’d handle the stress of the day, but somehow, she’d known that having a bunch of women fluttering around, no matter how much she loved them, wouldn’t give her the relaxation she’d need.

She walked to the window and stared out at the skiers enjoying a beautiful day on the slopes.

“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding.”

Noa turned toward the familiar voice. “Grandma.”

The sight of her grandmother, dressed in a mauve lace overlay dress, her white hair perfectly curled, and her signature pink lipstick on her face, was the unexpected trigger for the anxiety inside her that had been building.

“You look so pretty, Grandma.” Noa walked toward the tiny woman.

“Not as stunning as you, my dear.” Grandma Rose reached for her hands and squeezed. “You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Truly.”

“Thank you.”

“But you don’t look like the happiest one.”

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