Page 47 of Bleeding Hearts

“Fuck no,” he mumbles, his voice deep and raspy like it doesn’t get much use. “Don’t got much of a choice, though.”

“Do you know what you’re gonna say yet?” I ask, figuring I could try to help him if not, although I wouldn’t call myself one for words either.

Well, that’s not true. I’m a talker. I definitely have lots of words to say. I just don’t know how wedding appropriate they would be.

“Figured I’d leave most of the talking to the two of them, just interject when necessary.” He shrugs.

“Smart plan.” I smile at him. “I have to finish getting ready, but I’ll see you out there. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” he says, the corner of his lips slightly lifting in a barely there smile and I take it as a win.

I turn toward the office and open the door to see Logan sitting on top of June’s desk in her short flowy white dress scrolling through her phone while Theo fusses with her hair.

Willow is sitting on the floor next to her sister, Ellie, and seems to be in the middle of an elaborate story that Ellie looks like she’s paying absolutely no attention to. And Gabby is standing in the corner, her phone held close to her face like it holds the world’s best-kept secret on it.

“Get dressed so I can approve you,” Theo yells from where he’s still messing with Lo’s hair.

“Approve me?” I question, an eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, this is apparently his wedding now. He gets final approval. I’m just going with it.” Lo shrugs, the smile on her face making it clear the absolute only thing she cares about is marrying my brother.

“He yelled at me for wearing black. Said it didn’t fit the vibe,” Ellie says from where she’s sitting bored on the floor.

“You yelled at a twelve-year-old?” I look to Theo, wishing I was surprised.

“Don’t worry, she shoved a melted chocolate bar in his back pocket while he was distracted, so when he sits down, it’ll look like he pooped,” Willow chimes in.

“Willow,” Ellie scolds.

“Devil child,” Theo gasps, carefully pulling the chocolate bar out of his pocket and rushing to clean the inside of it with paper towels.

It takes about ten seconds before I burst out laughing, shortly followed by Lo and Gabby.

I slip on my dress, not caring about changing in front of any of the people in the room. It’s a short, tight black dress with loose mesh sleeves that cinch at my wrists, with black butterflies scattered over the mesh.

“Don’t worry, I like black too.” I turn to Ellie, winking at her before meeting Theo’s distressed stare. “You ready to get married?” I reach out, grabbing Lo’s hands in front of me.

“Absolutely.” She smiles big, jumping off the table and interlocking her hands with mine.

I smile at my best friend, who makes the most beautiful bride. “Let’s fucking do this thing.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Asher

“How are you feeling? Are you nervous? I feel nervous.” I pace back and forth in front of Kade. It’s not my wedding, but I still feel anxious over the whole thing for some reason.

“Nope, I’m good. How are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m freaking out. You’re getting married. That’s legally binding shit. I know it’s Lo, and you love her. But seriously, how the fuck are you not freaking out?”

He’s the picture of calm. Just casually waiting for the love of his life to walk down the aisle and become his wife. Fuck, even if I was as in love as he is, I still feel like I’d be flipping my shit with nerves, anticipation, or something.

“Because it’s right.” He shrugs as if that explains everything. It explains nothing.

“I need a drink,” I say, walking toward the bar, heading behind it to grab myself a beer.

“Why are you behind my bar?” June scares the shit out of me, sneaking up on me from behind. I swear the woman is quieter than a mouse.

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