Page 46 of Bleeding Hearts

I turn back to the disaster that has become my kitchen, taking a deep breath before heading back into the chaos.

Six hours to get this done and be ready for the wedding. I pick my second cup of coffee up off the counter, taking a sip. It’s gonna be a long fucking day.

“Be careful with that,” I yell at Asher as he carries the cake into the bar.

I watch him closely as he sets it down gently on the table meant for it.

“There we go. Where it’s supposed to be, all safe and sound,” he says, gesturing toward my masterpiece.

The cake itself is a three-tier French vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. I managed to frost some of the forget-me-not flowers that they love so much up one side of it as decoration and also as a surprise for them.

Lo tried practically all of the food while we were getting ready earlier, but I made sure to keep the cake hidden from her at all times, so neither she nor Kaden have seen it yet.

We got to Carl’s about half an hour ago and Asher’s been helping me carry all the food inside and set up the burners for them for the past twenty minutes.

Well, he was doing all the carrying while I supervised, but same thing.

The bar looks like something out of a fairy tale while also still keeping the integrity of being Carl’s. All the tables and booths are covered in white linen tablecloths and there are flowers intertwined up the sides of them.

Basically, anywhere flowers could be hung, Theo and Gabby hung them. There are all different types of blue and white flowers mixed together, almost making it look like tons of unique bouquets.

The center of the bar has been cleared and a makeshift aisle of blue petals sits in the center, and half a dozen chairs sit on each side of it.

Lo and Kaden decided to keep the wedding small. It’s just family, close friends that are basically family, and June, the owner of Carl’s. Although, I guess you could consider June part of our makeshift family in a weird way.

It’s weird to think my brother is getting married today and our father has absolutely no idea. I wonder if he ever thinks about him, but the thought only lasts a moment.

Alexander Rhodes doesn’t think about a single person but himself, and if he does, it’s only how they can benefit him.

I know that I wouldn’t want him at my wedding, but I wonder if my mom would show.

If she’s still with him, I doubt she would.

There’s a part of me that still holds on to the hope that underneath her fear and compliance, she loves me, even though she’s done nothing to show it. I can’t seem to let go of the thought though.

Stupid me, always trying to see the good in people even when it’s not there, I guess. I did it for years with my father, and thankfully I finally broke that habit, but I can’t seem to quit when it comes to my mother. Probably because, despite her actions, I know she’s in pain too.

“Thank you for your help.” I smile up at Asher, who looks really fucking good in his black dress pants and long-sleeve black button-down shirt. The attire is meant to still be wedding-like but not too fancy considering it is in a bar.

I subtly look him up and down, noting the way the pants hug his thick, muscular thighs. The shirt is tight without looking like it’s too small, fitting perfectly around his wide arms and torso. I look back up to his face and find a cocky smirk.

“Anytime, dollface.” His eyes glimmer with amusement like he knows exactly what I was just doing, although he doesn’t comment on it.

“Definitely not dollface.” I roll my eyes at him, smiling as I do. “I’m going to head back to June’s office to finish getting ready.” I turn to walk there.

“Don’t break anything in there,” June grumbles as I pass her from where she’s sitting on a stool behind the bar.

“Why does everyone say that I break things?” I huff in frustration.

“Because you do. You’re a walking disaster if I’ve ever seen one,” she says with the same annoyed expression that’s always on her face.

“Whatever. I’m not that bad,” I mumble, turning down the hallway and walking to the back where June’s office is. I notice King walking through the back door just as I get to the door of the office.

“Hey.” I turn to him with a smile on my face. “You ready to officiate?” I ask him.

I haven’t had too many interactions with King. I know him more as Kaden and Asher’s boss than my friend, but he’s always been nice to me.

He’s a little standoffish in general. It seems like the only people who get the laid-back, loving version of him are his daughters. I know he’s been there for Kaden in ways nobody else has though, so I’m grateful he could be that for my brother.

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