Page 47 of Break: Vol. 2

He frowned, his blue eyes clouding over. "I want you to have the perfect wedding," he said. "I just want to make you happy." He spread his arms out, gesturing to the gold and white tablecloth and the luxurious sheer curtains by the balcony. "I want to give you everything."

"I have everything," I assured him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I have you and the guys." I glanced over my shoulder at them as they stood a few feet away before returning my gaze to Dex. "That's really all I've ever needed."

Dex frowned. "You don't like it?" he asked.

I sighed and shook my head. "No, that's not what I'm saying."

"She just means that you don't have to spend money to make her happy," Cody said, stepping forward.

Dex looked up and met Cody's eyes before he met the others' as well. "I just..." he trailed off, likely unsure of what to say.

"Is this because your family isn't coming?" I asked quietly.

Dex stiffened, but he answered with a nod of affirmation.

"Oh, Dex..." I cupped his jaw. "I don't care about that. I wantyou—not your money, not theirs, and certainly not them."

"Yeah, man," Taylor said with a chuckle. "Would you really marry Jamie if she was just another chick after your wealth and status?"

"No, I wouldn't," he said, frowning as if the very idea was abhorrent to him.

"Good. Then after tonight, we chill on the whole money spending spree you're on, 'kay?" Dare announced.

Dex cleared his throat but acquiesced with another quick nod before switching topics. “They should be here any moment,” he said. “How do you want to—”

“Oh my goodness!” A high pitched squeal echoed through the room. Dare winced as we all turned towards the doorway. Apparently, the families appeared to have arrived en masse. No latecomers tonight.

We had asked them to be here at seven,I thought,and itwasseven. I didn’t think they’d all actually show up on time at the same time though.

“Darren!” Giselle, Dare’s older sister, gaped as she entered the room, her head thrown back as she tried to take it all in at once. Kind of difficult to do since none of us were owls. “This place is gorgeous.”

Behind her, Dare’s mother, Marion, moved at a much slower pace, trailing after her reed-thin daughter. “It’s quite lovely,” Marion agreed in a much more subdued tone.

“Hi, Mrs. Maverick,” I said, releasing Dex. “Why don’t you come have a seat over here?”

As I helped Dare’s mother into her chair, I watched as Cody approached my parents and gestured to where their seats were before his mother and father came in and he excused himself to say hello. Did they find it odd that the parents of the groomsmen had been invited to the wedding? I wondered suddenly. Had they already figured it out? No, they couldn't have. Still, my eyes tracked across the room, following as many people as I possibly could. I bounced from one couple to another. It wasn't until Taylor found his parents at the back of the lot and escorted them to their seats as well that I finally shook off the riotous thoughts running through my head. I needed to calm down.

“We can’t thank you enough for inviting us all the way here for your wedding, dear,” Mrs. Maverick said. “I mean, it would be one thing if Darren were getting married, but you’re such a good friend to him. We’ve never been to New York before.”

I coughed awkwardly. “Really? I'd never been before moving here either. Do you like it so far?”

“Like it?” Giselle jumped in, taking a seat next to her mother. “We love it! Gosh, I just want to move here, but it's so expensive and everything is just..." She trailed off as she put her hands up and shook them in a universal jazz hands sign.

“It’s a very big city,” Taylor’s mother agreed.

I looked up and met her gaze, the same softness of her features echoed in Taylor’s face. They had the same cheekbones. I smiled. “Hi, Mrs. Taylor. I hope you like New York as well.” And I really freaking hoped she didn't hate my guts when I told her and everyone else that I wasn't just marrying Dex, but all of their sons.

Maybe this was a horrible idea,I thought to myself.

She waved her hand. “How many times have I told you, dear, call me Jeanne.”

“Yes, I think Thomas would have loved New York City,” Cody’s mother said. “But he’s far too young to be traveling.”

“Is Thomas your youngest?” Jeanne asked.

Cynthia nodded. “Yes, he’ll be seven next winter. We had to ask our daughter, Amelia, to stay home with him.”

“Oh, how old is she?”

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