Page 162 of The Persistence of Thornes
I shrug. “Because I know you.”
The third dress is the light blue one. She looks fucking stunning in it, but I rein in my reaction, not wanting to sway hers. It’s not the traditional white, and that may be an issue for her.
She smooths her hands down the front of the dress, biting her bottom lip as she surveys her reflection. She lifts her hair up, angling her neck like she’s trying to imagine it with an updo or maybe even with jewelry around her neck.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
She turns to me, letting her dark hair fall back into place.
“I really do. I’m just not sure about the color and… do you think it’s too summery? With the straps? It’s December.”
“You could get some kind of white shawl thing to put around your shoulders?” I suggest. “If it’s what you want.”
She turns, letting the bottom flare out a bit. “Let me try on the rest, and then we’ll see.”
She quickly vetoes an option with flowy sleeves, and the next one looks too matronly, according to her. By the time she’s tried them all on, her shoulders are slumped and her face is drawn in defeat.
“Try the blue one again. We can always try more stores. You don’t have to pick the winner here.”
“I know.” She disappears behind the curtain again, swishing it closed. “I just thought this would be easier, I guess. I’m not normally a picky person.”
“This is a big deal. It’s okay to be selective. But as long as you feel good in it, that’s all that matters. If you want to do a big wedding down the road, you can go all out then.”
She pokes her head around the corner, narrowing her dark gaze on me. “We both know I’m not the big wedding type, so get that notion out of your head right now.”
I sigh and mutter, “Yes, ma’am.”
She steps out a moment later, the blue dress fitted perfectly to her frame, and she’s fuckingglowing.
I say nothing as she looks at herself in the mirror, giving her full control over the decision.
“It might be silly with the color and the butterflies andspaghetti straps and…” She lets out a sigh. “But I want this one.”
I stand and pull her to my chest. “It’s perfect.”
She smiles up at me, and the pure happiness radiating from her nearly knocks me to my knees. Her eyes were so dark, so lost when I met her, but now there’s no trace of shadows anywhere. I chased them all away.
“I love you,” she says, leaning into me.
In response, I kiss her.
CHAPTER 41
HALLE
“Married?” Quinn repeats. “You guys are getting marriednow? Like before the new year?”
My brothers exchange a glance. Casen sports a smug smirk.
“Yes, that’s what I said. We’ll go to the courthouse in a few days and do it. I want you guys there with me.”
“You can’t wait until the new year?” Quinn groans.
Why is he so hung up on the new year? We haven’t even made it to Christmas yet. “Um… I wasn’t planning on it?”
“Pay up.” Casen holds his hand out.
Grumbling, Quinn pullsout his wallet and slaps a few bills into his twin’s palm. The boys might not have proper jobs yet, but they’ve been doing odd jobs for the neighbors to earn money to buy Christmas gifts.
