I feel like nothing compared to her. My light gray suit andcrisp white shirt are fine, but she looks like she stepped out of a whimsical love story.
I hope the little chapel does her justice.
She steps up to me and takes my hand. “Ready for this? Last chance to run.”
“Not a chance, darlin’. I’m a lucky man.”
Her cheeks heat, and when she looks into my eyes, that same heat dances in her brown irises.
“I’m the perfect representation of a princess today. Pretty dress, in a bit of pinch, and need a little help. That’s when the handsome prince strolls in and offers her his hand.”
“It’s an honor to be your prince.”
Her gaze flits to my lips, and I find myself reaching for her, wrapping a hand around the side of her neck, my stomach buzzing with desire as she inches closer. I’ve wanted this since the moment we met. Wanted her lips on mine. Wanted to feel the amplification of this connection between us.
“Justin,” she breathes against my lips.
The sound of a door slamming down the hall makes us jump.
She sucks in a big breath and takes half a step back. “I don’t think we’re supposed to kiss untilafterthe ceremony.”
“Is that a promise?”
Her eyes flash with mischief. “It wouldn’t be a fairytale wedding if it didn’t have a magical kiss.”
She runs her hand over my arm as she goes to move past me, but I step in front of her again.
“Before you go in there, there’s someone special who wants to see you.”
Her brow furrows. “Who?”
I knock twice on the door, and slowly, it opens.
I watch as Jade’s face goes from confused to surprised to brimming with emotion.
“Dad?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
JADE
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“I’ll give you two a minute.” Justin pats my dad’s shoulder as he walks back into the chapel.
“What are you doing here?” I choke out.
“I wasn’t going to miss my little girl’s wedding day.”
“Even if it’s not?—”
“Don’t say it isn’t real, Jade. You’re in a beautiful dress, and that man couldn’t hide the way he feels for you if he tried. Maybe it’s not how you thought it would be. Maybe it’s for different reasons, but it’s still real, and you should enjoy every second.”
The thing is, this is what I imagined. Maybe not the location or the reasoning, but the dress, the way Justin smiles at me, the comfort I feel, and the whimsical romantic vibes are everything I ever would’ve wanted for my wedding.
I second-guess things. I always have. It’s part of thatgood girlside of me. I want to be sure I’m making the right decision, but Idon’t want to second-guess this. I don’t want to overthink this. All I want is to be happy today.
“You really got on a plane and flew out here?”
