Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Not everyone can say they met a livin’ legend. Looks like today is your unlucky day. I hope what I did to you tonight was a cake walk compared to what’ll happen to you in hell. Hurry now!
The devil is waitin’ on ya!
CHURCH.”
BANG!!!
…And the scary monster in the closet was never seen or heard from again…
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was something special to see all of your hard work come to fruition, especially when the restaurant project had been through so many delays, waiting for back orders of certain appliances, supplies, and all the technicalities and stresses that went along with that. They’d finally found a house they both loved, not too far from Axel and English. That, along with moving, the new business, graduation and the wedding preparations had almost sent Desiree to an early grave… and yet, she’d made it.
This, however, was something special. A breath of fresh air.
The Waterford Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky was decorated in vintage wedding decor, just as she’d imagined and planned with the wedding coordinator. Still in her jogging suit, Desiree stood with her mother and sister, holding back tears of joy. In less than thirty minutes, she’d have to squeeze herself into her wedding gown, and in less than an hour, guests would start parading through the doors, dressed in their finest.
No matter how much she’d tried, she’d never shed the extra ten pounds she wanted to lose before the big day. She’d had final school exams, Legend kept making her taste different dishes he was concocting for the restaurant, and Kaylee had decided she needed to start a cupcake fundraiser every damn Friday for her cheerleading team. Needless to say, her daughter demanded her input.
“Girl, this is beautiful!” her sister Destiny cried as she went about the big old church. “What’s this style of decoratin’ called, like boho?”
“Yeah, I guess you could describe it that way. Vintage. Shabby Chic, too.” The pews were covered in a taupe netting and soft cream lace. Large cream and peach bouquets of roses were connected at the end of each one. Dried flowers and tiny pale-yellow lights were affixed to an arch where she would stand to say her vows, and gold framed mirrors hung on the walls. She’d seen examples of similar adornments in a wedding magazine, and couldn’t resist borrowing the idea, adding her own little twists and touches. The reception hall had a similar design and look, and it screamed her vision, all the way.
“Desiree, I ain’t think I’d like it when you first showed me, baby, but it really came together. I ain’t say nothin’, ’cause it’s your day, not mine, but my goodness it’s beautiful in here,” Mama stated proudly.
“Thank you, Mama. It looks even better than I imagined.”
“Okay, we gotta go get you dressed, get dem curlers out ya hair, and your makeup ain’t even done. We are runnin’ late. Let’s go!” Mama corralled her and her sister into the musician’s booth, which was temporarily set up as a changing area for her and her bridesmaids. She took one more look at the sanctuary before leaving, and couldn’t believe her eyes.
I’m really gettin’ married today…
Legend woke up that morning with a slight headache. He’d partied a bit too hard the night before. He’d known better, but did it anyway. How could he miss a huge bonfire with loud music, entertainers, horses, and enough alcohol to kill an army?
Axel had thrown him a kickass bachelor party, some of the details he prayed Desiree wouldn’t find out. No, there’d been no cheating or funny business, but he definitely played with fire. Literally. There was a sexy fire eater from a damn circus, and she showed his drunk ass how to do it. Bad decisions were made, and according to some video clips that he threatened Axel and Caspian to never share, there was proof that he’d been a damn fool. He was happy he was even alive to tell the tale—especially when he’d decided to ride a horse backwards, butt ass naked.
His phone was constantly ringing that morning, making matters worse. First a call from Melanie, ensuring his ass was up and at ’em, then several of his groomsmen, asking for late minute details, and oddly enough, a voice message from Uncle Ortiz, who’d wished him joy and happiness on his special day.
The new house smelled like fresh paint and plaster. There was plastic on almost all the new furniture that had been recently delivered, as well as exposed wiring for internet, wi-fi, and Alexa set-ups, but he navigated the mess to get into the heated bathroom to take a hot shower. Time to get ready.
He glanced at his tailored, vintage style tux, which was hanging from a clothing stand. An impeccable cashmere and silk blend, with satin trim affixed with black buttons and lapels. The white shirt he was to wear beneath it hung next to it on the rack. He slipped under the water, and a shiver came over him. Years of grief melted away from him, replaced with relief. He leaned against the shower wall, eyes closed. Crying. He trembled, and prayed quietly, giving thanks and gratitude to the Most High. When he finished bathing, he dried off, and donned his clothing. Looking at himself in a ceiling to baseboard mirror in the master suite of their new house, he smiled at his reflection with pride.