Page 81 of In Love with Lewis Prescott
We exchangeI love yous just as there’s a knock at the door. It’s the photographer.
“Naomi, your mom wanted me to get a pic of her seeing you in your dress for the first time.”
She says of course, and Maren and I step back to make room for Naomi’s mom. The photographer snaps away as she bursts into tears at the sight of her only daughter in her wedding dress. They embrace, and Maren and I slip out to let them have a moment together.
In the hallway Maren turns to me. “You look so freaking stunning by the way. That dress.” She whistles. “Your man is gonna have a heart attack.”
I blush and chuckle. “How’s he doing? I haven’t had the chance to check on him in a couple of hours.”
“Amazing. He’s been busy setting up the decorations and chairs, so no one’s really bothered him. I think some people don’t even recognize him with that shaggy hair and beard he’s sporting. He looks like a hot surfer more than a TV star.”
We head out to the living area and my eyes bulge when I take in the space. Lewis turned the open-concept space of my grandparents’ house into a rustic haven. Strings of fairy lights line the walls, creating the most beautiful mood lighting. It’s the perfect amount of light—not too bright, to keep the romantic ambience, but not too dark. The photographer will be able to take good photos. Dozens of white candles dot the windowsills, the kitchen island, and the counters. White flower petals line the end of the hallway all the way to the fireplace, where Simon and Naomi will be exchanging their vows. Lewis convinced me to keep it painted white for the wedding, and I see exactly why now. It serves as the perfect blank canvas for the strings of fairy lights and white candles adorning it. Rows of white chairs line either side of the flower-petal aisle. It looks like something out of a wedding magazine.
“Holy...”
“He did good, huh?” Maren nudges me before walking off to tell Naomi’s dad that she’s in her wedding dress if he wants to do a first look.
I glance around to look for Lewis, but I don’t see him among the few dozen people milling around. He must be in his room changing.
I snap a few pics on my phone to send to Naomi, then walk over to the corner of the living room, where the guitarist, violinist, and flutist are sitting. They’ve been playing soft mood music for the past hour while guests have been arriving and mingling. After making sure everything is picture-perfect for Naomi’s entrance, I run over and greet my parents and Uncle Pedro as they walk through the front door.
Since Naomi and Simon wanted a small and intimate wedding ceremony, the only people attending today are their immediate family and closest friends. Simon’s mom, sister, and grandma wave at me from where they’re sitting at the front row of chairs. I snap their photo, then glimpse Simon standing in the kitchen sipping what looks like scotch with his friend who is the officiant. I walk over.
“Hey.” I hug him. “Look at you,GQ.” When we break apart, I swipe away a tiny piece of lint from the lapel of his black suit. His stubbled cheeks flush.
“You look beautiful, Harper,” he says.
“Wait till you see your wife.”
“My head’s gonna explode, isn’t it?”
“Right along with your heart. Seriously, though, congrats.”
He pulls me into yet another hug. “Thanks again for saving the day. We owe you.”
“You owe me nothing. Just be the best husband my cousin could ask for.”
Eyes teary, Simon sniffles as he promises me that he will, and my heart aches. He’s so, so in love with her.
When we pull apart, I pat his chest. “It’s time. Go take your place.”
Simon practically sprints to the altar, only stopping to quickly embrace his mom, sister, and grandma before standing in front of the fireplace. I direct everyone to either sit in the chairs or stand near the back next to the kitchen, then I run to my bedroom to tell Naomi to head out once she’s ready. As I shut the door behind me, I turn and bump into a broad chest clad in a three-piece charcoal gray suit I recognize instantly. When I step back and take in Lewis, I lose all the air in my lungs.
My jaw falls open. He is the most handsome I’ve ever seen him.
When I make it to his face, his expression throws me. There are literal stars in his eyes.
“Holy...” A strangled noise follows.
I bite my lip at his reaction and smooth a hand over my dress.
“Harper, you...you...” He tugs a hand through his shaggy hair, as if to snap himself out of some trance. “You’re breathtaking.”
It feels like fireworks crackling inside me. I step forward and glide my hands up his chest and rest them on his shoulders. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
Even in my four-inch heels, I have to tiptoe up to kiss him. Before our kiss can get too filthy, I pull away. He grunts, and I chuckle.
“We gotta keep this quick and PG. This is a wedding, after all.”
