"What did you do?" I growl.
"Alright, just so you don't get surprised with this during the wedding," he says. "She wanted to come, and I've been hooking up with her the past few days, so I figured she could be my plus one. And she's not interested in you anymore, so I thought it would be totally fine."
"You did not bring the chick from the Celtics game to my wedding," I hiss.
"Told you, Joe," Scott says, smacking him on the back of the head. "You're such a dumbass. Caulter should kick your fucking ass right now."
"She'll behave," Joe says. "I'm getting laid, and…"
"I will murder you and dump your body in a ravine," I threaten.
My phone buzzes.
I fucking love you too, Prick. I'm walking down to the tent. You better beat me there. You're not supposed to see me in my dress.
"Shit," I say. "Forget it. We need to head down to the tent. That crazy chick had better not make a peep, Joe. She so much as breathes too loud and I'll beat your ass. Now, come on. We have to get down there before Kate."
Then all of our phones start buzzing with texts from Ella.
Where the hell are you? Get your ass down to the tent now. You better not be standing up your pregnant fiancé.
"Let's go, before Ella sends bodyguards up to get us," I say.
"Are there bodyguards?" Joe asks. "You seriously need some. There were a shitload of photographers outside the gate when we came in."
"Joe," Bryan says.
I groan. "Shit. Kate is going to freak."
I text Ella.
Are there paparazzi outside?
Ella buzzes back.
Curated, by yours truly. Only the best. Got to keep out the riff raff. A few inside, but only the ones I like. No trash. Get your ass down here now.
Fuck. I have a strong suspicion this wedding is about to be a lot more circus-like than I anticipated.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Kate
“It was a surprise!” Ella whispers brightly as I stand in the covered entryway just outside the tent with her and Rose and my father.
“That was a…a…monkey wearing a tuxedo and top hat!” I say, my jaw gaping.
“I know!” Ella says, beaming. “It’s a monkey in a tuxedo and top hat! Isn't he the most adorable thing you've ever seen? I couldn’t get a tiger at this short of notice.”
“I’ve had enough surprises in the past twenty-four hours, thank you very much.”
“Your father and I had no idea you were outside the library, Kate,” Ella starts, and I interrupt her, holding up my hand. Beside her, my father looks at me sheepishly, his face reddening.
“You guys hate each other,” I start, then quickly correct myself. “Never mind. Please do not remind me of this right before I’m going down the aisle. This is not what I want to think about on my wedding day.”
“Can I have a moment with Kate for a second?” my father asks. Ella and Rose step to the other side of the entryway.
“Thank you for letting me be here today,” he says, his expression pained. “I don't deserve to walk you down the aisle. I know that. I didn’t know how…to deal with it after your mother died. And you were the spitting image of her. Everything about you reminded me of her, and I just…I loved your mother. And I love you. But I retreated into my work. The way I reacted after the wedding scandal…it was horrible. I was an awful parent. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ll be a fantastic mother, and even though it’s too late for us, I’d like to try to be a good grandfather.”
I look at my father as he blinks back tears and I swallow hard. “Maybe it’s not too late…for us," I say.
He nods as his eyes well up. “That would be nice.”
The first few notes of the wedding march play and Rose clears your throat. “That’s your cue, she says,” and I take a deep breath.
I’m suddenly nervous as hell.
Why am I so nervous? I think my hands are shaking. Is this normal?
“Kate,” Rose says, stepping close to me and taking my hands in hers. “Breathe. You’re going to be fine, dear.”
I do what she tells me -- in through my nose, out through my mouth -- but clearly she can see the panicked look on my face.
“Caulter is a good man,” Rose says. “Your mother would love him just as much as you do. And you’re gorgeous.”
Tears well up in my eyes and I sniffle as Rose hugs me tightly to her. “I’m going to mess up my makeup,” I say. “Don’t you want to sit up front?”
“I’d rather be right here with you,” Rose says, pulling me out at arms’ length. She touches the corner of my eye with a handkerchief and smiles at me warmly. “Now, stop your sniveling and get out there.”
“I love you, Rose,” I say, taking a deep breath and turning toward the front. “Okay.”
“I’ve done this a lot,” Ella says, holding the edge of the tent to the side for me. “It’s never not nerve-wracking. Unless you’re drunk. Look at Caulter when you walk up the aisle. It’ll keep you steady.”
I nod, suddenly mute as I peer out at the sea of people standing, waiting for me to step forward.