Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(108)
“Can you please stop being so perfect?” I tease, pressing a kiss to the underside of his jaw. “You’re showing me up here.”
“Don’t deflect, and we both know I’m far from perfect. What I’m saying is I support you if you want to keep them or take them out.” He looks up at the building. “Maybe it was wrong of me to arrange this consultation today, and we don’t have to go in if you don’t want to, but I just wanted you to know my thoughts on the subject, in case you were holding off on doing this because of me.”
“You once told me you could live a thousand lifetimes and never be worthy of me,” I remind him, lifting up to kiss his lips. “And now I’m saying the exact same thing back to you. My life might have been shitty these past few years, but I wouldn’t change a thing, because it led me to you, and you are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Ditto, babe.” He kisses me slowly. “And I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life proving it.”
EPILOGUE – Three months later
Abby
“Oh, Abigail.” Tears instantly pool in Mom’s eyes when she walks into the room. “You look so beautiful. Kaiden won’t be able to keep his hands off you when he sees you.”
“Ugh.” Drew groans. “Did you have to go there. It’s bad enough I suffer it every time I’m in their presence. I don’t need to hear you condoning it.”
“Shush.” I slap his chest. “You’re just jealous because I’ve stolen him from you.”
Kai and Drew’s bromance is back in full swing, and I love that they are the best of friends again. Even Jackson has warmed to my twin although Sawyer is still reserving judgment. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys today as they’ve been in New York since we graduated, and I’ve missed Jackson’s flirty smile and Sawyer’s grumpy face.
“All joking aside, I’m happy for you, Abby,” Drew says, standing. He looks handsome in his crisp, white shirt and tan pants.
Our wedding ceremony is being held on the beach at Kai’s Uncle Wes’s place, and the reception is in a marquee erected in the grounds of his opulent mansion. Tonight, we’re spending the night in the cabin where we first met, and my heart is so full. All our close friends and family are here to watch us say our vows this time, and unlike my fake wedding party to Charlie, this time I’ve done it my way.
“You don’t think it’s too simple?” I ask Mom, inspecting my reflection in the mirror.
It’s hot and humid in Alabama in August so I’ve opted for an A-line knee-length ballet-style white dress composed of delicate lace over tulle. The lace panel extends from my collarbone, down over the fitted corset-style top which gives my smaller bust a natural lift. My arms are bare, and there’s a thin silk sash wrapped around my waist, tied in a pretty bow at the back.
My hair is in a half-up half-down style, curled in soft waves with flowers woven between the strands. My makeup is light and natural, and I’m wearing flip-flops. We told our guests to wear whatever they like, and I hope everyone has come casual and that it’s as far removed from a formal elite wedding as you can get.
“It’s classically elegant, and it suits you to a T,” Mom loyally says. “Your natural beauty shines through, along with your happiness. You’re glowing, Abigail, and it’s clear marriage agrees with you.”
“Kaiden agrees with me,” I correct. “He completes me.”
Mom looks a little nostalgic, and I wonder if she’s thinking of happier times with Atticus, when he was the love of her life and she dreamed of marrying him.
It’s ironic that I ended up marrying his son. Or maybe it was written in the stars.
Drew gags, and I flip him the bird.
“I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, and it’s definitely a cause for celebration.”
“It is, even if Anderson is completely pussy-whipped and proud.”
“Language, Drew,” Mom says, and we both laugh.
Holding my simple white and green bouquet, I walk down the makeshift aisle, which is a grass reed and shell path on the beach, with Mom on one side and Drew on the other. They are both giving me away today, and I couldn’t be happier. Having Mom back in my life is the icing on the cake, and we’re enjoying making up for all the time that was stolen from us.
A temporary decked area, surrounded by tall ornamental grass, has been built on the beach especially for today, and it’s where the priest and my gorgeous guy wait. We decided not to do the whole bridesmaid and groomsman thing, because it would’ve just ended up with most of the wedding party involved.
So, Kai waits for me alone, beaming at me with emotion brimming in his eyes.
My smile is equally wide as I walk toward him, passing the few rows of seats on either side. Everyone is here. Jackson and Sawyer with their parents. Shandra and Xavier came together, and Chad is here with his new boyfriend. Kai’s brothers all brought dates, and they look so handsome, proudly occupying the front row, alongside Wes and his wife, Ruth. I’ve gotten to know them the last couple of days, and I instantly warmed to both of them. They are lovely people, and they care about Kai a lot. They have stepped up in lots of ways over the course of the last few months, assuming legal guardianship over Harley and Joaquin now their dad is AWOL.