Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I just wanted his approval and attention, none of which I’d ever gotten and probably would never get again. And I was okay with that. He would come around eventually and regret not showing up for his only child’s wedding.
My mom fluffed one of the many tulle skirts and fixed my dress into place. Mia helped me choose the perfect gown. Will had suggested I pick the dress I would have chosen if we were getting married under different circumstances. Even though we had confessed our love for one another, we never would have had this ceremony. Maybe in the future, but this was mostly for show.
The wedding planner stepped into the room again. “Ladies, are you ready? We start in two minutes.”
My mom extended her arm to me. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Roman… again?”
“Third time is a charm,” I joked.
The first two were not successful, so I was hoping that wedding number three would stick.
Smiling like an idiot, I hooked my arm through hers. Mia followed us out of the dressing room, making sure the train on my dress didn’t get messed up. We shuffled into the hallway, led by several event coordinators with earpieces. The women communicated our status with the people on the other end of the line.
My stomach churned as we approached the closed doors, which led to the event room. We were having our ceremony in one of the smaller rooms in the hotel, then moving into the large ballroom for the reception. Will spared no expense for our wedding. He invited half of the NHL, all of his family, even childhood friends.
You can tell a lot about a person by the people who show up for them. Will might have been a playboy, but he had many people who loved and adored him. This girl included.
Two event planners opened the doors for us. I stood to the side with my mom, sneaking a peek at Will, who stood at the end of the long aisle. He couldn’t see me from this vantage point. Besides, he was busy talking to Ethan, his best man.
My side of the aisle was empty compared to Will’s. Most of my family lived in the South and on parts of the West Coast of the United States. They needed more time to take off from work and book plane tickets. I hadn’t expected a great turnout on this short notice, but at least Will’s people came through. His side of the aisle was jam packed with everyone from professional hockey players to local celebrities. Even a few of the Phillies and Sixers were in attendance.
All of his Flyers teammates were there with their wives. Ethan stood at Will’s side. By the looks of it, Will was telling him a joke, the two of them laughing like no one was watching them. Callie and the girls from Market House Press were in attendance. I smiled and gave them a tiny wave as I passed them. At least we didn’t have to lie this time around. Our wedding was real, no matter what people believed.
White chairs lined both sides of the makeshift aisle. Pink rose petals dusted the floor. The music started. Mia gave me one final smile before she walked down the aisle toward her brother and husband.
When she reached the end of the aisle, she took her place beside of the officiant. The music switched to the bridal chorus. Our guests turned their heads in my direction, all eyes on me. My cheeks flushed from all the attention.
I focused on Will and his smiling face, attempting to block everyone out, so we were the only people in the hotel. My mom squeezed my arm, giving me the courage I needed.
As we walked, I slapped on a permanent smile, keeping my focus on Will, hoping I didn’t do something stupid like trip and fall flat on my face. My cheeks heated from the energy shooting throughout my body, which trembled like a leaf. Mom held me tighter, doing her best to steady me.
Will looked so handsome in his black tuxedo, the fabric clinging to his muscular body like a glove. It still didn’t feel real that he was all mine. My husband. For real this time.
At the end of the aisle, we stopped in front of Will, whose smiled touched his blue irises. My mom hugged me, planting a kiss on my cheek, before she offered my hand to Will.
“Take good care of my baby girl,” she told him with a warm smile.
She found her place in the front row. And then Will slipped his fingers between mine.
Will pulled me closer and whispered into my ear, “Wow, babe. I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “First, put a ring on it.”
“Oh, I plan to do just that, wifey.”