Page 94 of Twisted Gift

She waves him off. “Oh, please. Girl bought her dress. She’s ready.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I glance down at my lap. It’s true. I came to that realization today at the bridal store. I meant it: I want to marry Tristannow.

“Aurora?” Tristan’s voice is soft, calming. It’s quick to ease the weight on my chest.

I look up and nod without hesitation.

Tristan turns toward Allison. “How fast can you plan a wedding?”

24

One week. It took us one week to plan our wedding. Countless strings were pulled to make it happen, but it’s here.

Allison and Skylar spend the morning helping me get ready, doing my hair and makeup and helping me into my dress, while Nikolai and Oliver get ready with Tristan.

Once everything is ready and all the guests are in their seats, it’s time to start the ceremony.

What I’ve always imagined would be one of the most stressful and anxiety-inducing moments of my life is actually what’s making my pulse steady, my steps sure, and my heart happy. Mom is standing on one side of me, and Dad’s on the other, both with their arms linked through mine. Supporting me, loving me, and delivering me to the only person on this earth I want to spend my life with.

Oliver had connections with the pastor at the church and convinced him, despite the short notice, to let us use the sanctuary today. I couldn’t be more pleased with the location. A hundred-year-old church with vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows—it’s perfect.

The moment the double doors open and we step into the room, everyone rises from the polished wooden pews decorated with white bows and twinkling lights. The sanctuary is glowing with the soft strings of lights and candles all around the room. All eyes are on me, but the only person whose eyes matter is waiting for me at the end of the aisle, standing at the altar, surrounded by our friends and gorgeous white and purple calla lilies like the ones I’m holding. The sight of him knocks the air right out of me, and I stop walking for a second, taking him in, standing there for me. Tristan has always looked incredible in a suit, but today is special. Today is the only day that counts. Everything—every moment we’ve shared was practice for today—for what the rest of our life together will be.

Dad squeezes my hand at the same moment Tristan smiles, sending my heart racing.I’ll never get tired of that.I take a step forward, then another, until we’re standing at the front of the room. Mom leans over and kisses my cheek before letting go of my arm. Dad does the same, but then places my hand in Tristan’s. With a watery smile, he nods before sitting beside Mom in the front row.

Tristan guides me up the few steps, his eyes never leaving mine. His expression matches mine: pure bliss. Today is the best day of our lives, and I can’t wait to share the rest of mine with him.

Standing behind me, in matching rose gold dresses, are Allison and Skylar, and flanking Tristan is Oliver and Nikolai. It makes my heart heavy that Max isn’t standing up here being the best man, but something tells me he’s here. This isn’t an event he’d miss. Adam, either. I hope somehow they were able to meet and that they’re here together today.

The officiant starts speaking, but I can’t focus on his words. All I can do is stare at the man in front of me and smile—smile because he’s mine, and I’m his. We met because of a twist of fate. It’s the reason we’re standing here together now, and it’s the best gift of all.

“Do you, Tristan Westbrook, take this woman to be your wife, your best friend, your partner in life and love, for as long as you both shall live?”

Tristan winks at me. “I do.”

“Do you, Aurora Marshall, take this man to be your husband, your best friend, your partner in life and love, for as long as you both shall live?”

I blink back the wetness in my eyes and smile. I’ve never been so sure of something in my life. “I do.”

We exchange rings, unable to stop staring and smiling at each other as though there isn’t an entire church full of people watching us.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Tristan, you may now kiss your bride.”

He exhales. “Finally.” His lips are on mine before I can laugh at his response, and the room fills with clapping and celebratory shouts. Tristan slips his arm around my waist and dips me low, kissing me until my head spins, and the world narrows in on nothing but the two of us.

When he lets me back up, he kisses me again, and again, until Nikolai cuts in and says, “Easy, Westbrook, there are children present.”

I laugh and kiss his cheek. “Later,” I whisper to him.

“Later,” he agrees with a devilishly handsome grin.

Once we move over to the ballroom at the Westbrook Hotel, the real party begins. An open bar and a huge buffet of food was the easiest decision I made for this wedding, aside from the man I chose as my groom, of course.

Call me weirdly sentimental, but I wanted to have the reception here—in the place Tristan and I met—even though it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. It was still our start.

Allison and Skylar spent the last week ordering hotel staff around, getting the place ready for this night. I have no doubt that everything is perfect—they wouldn’t accept anything else.

Tristan and I stand in the hotel lobby, waiting to make our entrance.

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