Page 6 of Dark Obsession

Chapter Three

Layla had just finishedapplying her mascara when her gaze caught her sisters in the mirror.“Kiki, don’t you dare cry.I’ve just finished my makeup.”

Keira swallowed back the tears that burned her throat.“I can’t help it.You’re so beautiful.”

She watched as Layla stepped away from the mirror, studying herself as she ran her hands down the front of her wedding gown.It was a simple white gown with a lace panel at the top that draped around the shoulders and plunged, showing the top of her breasts and a little cleavage.The rest of the dress was a shimmery white fabric that reached the floor and tucked slightly at the middle, showing off Layla’s tiny waist.

Layla turned away from the mirror to face her.She wrapped her arms around Keira and squeezed tightly.“Oh, God, Keira.I feel like I’m living in a dream.I own my own successful business.My sister is moving here, so I’ll be able to see her all the time, and I’m marrying the most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”

Tears pricked Keira’s eyes again as she hugged her sister back.“I’m so incredibly happy for you.You deserve everything you’ve ever wanted and more.”

Layla stepped back but kept her hands on Keira’s shoulders.“You deserve everything you ever wanted, too.You certainly didn’t deserve what happened before.”

Keira clutched Layla’s hands.“Let’s not think about the past on your wedding day.”

Both quieted for a brief moment, each remembering what Keira had dealt with.

“I really hope you’re happy here and enjoy working in the shop.And just maybe everything will work out between Daniel and you.”Layla clapped her hands and laughed.“Wouldn’t that be awesome?Married to best friends and having children at the same time.”

Keira snorted.“You’re getting way ahead of yourself, Lay.Daniel and I just met yesterday.”

Layla’s lips turned down.“He’d be an idiot if he didn’t fall for you.”

“Biased much?”Keira chuckled and shook her head.

Layla laughed and turned back to the mirror, making sure her hair stayed pinned up in a bun on the back of her head.Little bits of hair were loose on either side of her face, softening the look.“Do you think it’s weird I’m having you walk me down the aisle?”

Keira stopped with the veil in her hands.“Absolutely not.We’re the only family each other has.”

“That’s what I thought, too.”

Keira placed the veil on Layla’s head and used a few bobby pins to secure it.“Although now you will have a husband, mother, father-in-law, and another sister for a family.”

Layla smiled.“And you’ll have a new brother.”

Keira’s eyes widened, and she laughed.“That’s right.See, our family’s getting bigger today.Now come on, you can’t be late for your wedding.”

Layla laughed.“No, I can’t.”

****

Daniel stood besideLogan and the reverend at the front of the church, watching as Layla and Keira walked down the aisle together, their arms entwined and smiles on their faces.Layla looked like a princess in her gown with the veil that swept the ground behind her, but it was Keira who grabbed his attention and affected his heart.

She wore a light icy blue dress that stopped an inch above her knees, showcasing her spectacular legs, her tiny feet tucked into blue high heels.The dress was modest, her arms were bare, but no cleavage was shown, like her sister’s dress.Her hair was down over her shoulders, the sides pinned on top of her head and curled at the ends, and was a beautiful, dark blonde color.She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, which pleased him, but then she was so breathtaking she didn’t need any.

His breath caught in his throat when her gaze turned to him.A jolt of heat raced down his spine.He’d known this woman for less than twenty-four hours, and she made him feel more than any other woman had in his life.If she was anything like her sister, he was afraid his bachelor days had come to an end.The thought should have terrified him, but instead it settled something fundamental inside him, something he hadn’t even known was missing from his life.

****

Keira felt Daniel’sfocused attention on her, which made her limbs slightly shaky and her heart pound out of control.Both men stood tall and handsome in black suits and white shirts.Daniel’s dark complexion and hair stood out starkly against his pristine white shirt.

Keira stood on the other side of Layla at the altar and listened as they gave their vows to love, honor, and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.She was glad she could not see Daniel.It took enough effort to get through the ceremony without crying.The last thing she needed was more emotion thrown in.

At the end of the ceremony, Keira beamed and swallowed back more tears as Logan clutched Layla tightly against his side.They made their way back up the aisle among cheers from the forty or so guests who attended the wedding.Keira tore her eyes from her sister when a warm, hard hand clutched her upper arm.

“You ready to go, Keira?”

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