He kissed my hand and smiled. “I’m not much of a wilderness type of guy. I couldn’t even handle the beard and long hair, and I’m pretty attached to running water myself. I just don’t want you to think that I’m turning into my father. I promise I’m not.”
Who Victor Stone had been was basically a mystery to me, except for what my father had believed about him. I knew nothing about him other than that he was the man I blamed for taking my only parent from me. But never once had I feared Tristan would turn into that man. I saw in the slight frown he wore as he spoke about becoming like his father that he did fear that, though.
“Tristan, you’re not your father. I don’t worry about you turning into him.”
“I swear I never will. I won’t let that happen to me or to us.”
“Speaking of us, I’ve got a million and one things to do before next weekend. One week isn’t a lot of time to plan a wedding.”
“That’s the good part about being the groom. All we have to do is put on the tux and be there on time.”
“I thought the good part was getting married to the woman you love.”
“Well, yeah, of course,” he said with a chuckle. “But not having to do all that wedding stuff is pretty good too.”
I jabbed him in the side. “For that comment, I hope I take up all the bed tonight and leave you with just a sliver of mattress.”
Pulling me close to him, he gave me one of those truly rare Tristan smiles that told me he was truly happy. “As long as you’re next to me, I don’t care how much I have. All that matters is I have you.”
***
I hit the last step to Jordan’s building and struggled to catch my breath as the door flew open. Jordan stood there grinning from ear to ear, arms wide open to envelope me with a hug. “I am so ready to check out some wedding dresses. We can have lunch, gossip about all the things we need to catch up on, and, of course, find you the perfect gown to marry that man of yours in.”
“Let me catch my breath! I think you might be more excited than I am about this shopping trip.”
Grabbing me, she hugged me close and then held me at arm’s length to take a look at me. “This is going to happen this time. I swear to God, if I have to chain you and Tristan down, it’s happening.”
“I promise no more false starts. This time we’re doing this. You ready to go?”
Jordan looked past me at Jensen and the car waiting for us. “I’ve missed that old guy.” Looking around left and then right, she giggled. “And where would your bodyguards be today?”
“They’re somewhere. Tristan told them to make themselves scarce, so we may not see them. Don’t worry, though. You’ll see Gage at the wedding.”
We nearly bounced down the stairs to the car, and Jordan turned toward me, her expression suddenly serious. “By the way, what other females will be there? I need to know who my competition is for the bouquet.”
I opened the car door and held it for her. “It’s going to be a small affair. I promise to make sure you catch the bouquet.”
“Make it look good, though. We don’t want people thinking the fix was in,” she joked as she climbed into the back seat.
I sat down next to her and tapped on the back of the driver’s seat. “We’re ready, Jensen.”
“Yes, miss. We should be there shortly.”
Jordan turned toward me. “So tell me what’s going on with that ring. If my eyes don’t deceive me, that’s not the diamond he gave you when he first proposed.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “It is a new one. He had it for me when he asked me again last night. I didn’t ask for it or anything. I was perfectly happy with the first one.”
Taking my hand in hers, she studied my ring like a jeweler. “This ring looks even bigger. What is this, like almost two carets? I’m surprised you’re not dragging your knuckles on the ground when you walk.”
I pulled my hand away and shook my head. “Don’t tease. It’s not that big, and I like it. Tristan’s got good taste. He knows what I like.”
“Yes, he does. Simple round cut but stunning. So what are the plans? You mentioned on the phone it was going to be intimate, so I’m not going to have to mess up other women there if they hit on Gage?”
Laughing, I said, “It will be intimate. Just a few of us. You’ll have all the chances you want to get to know him. I tried to get Tristan to have him as the best man, but he wasn’t going for it. I’m planning to make sure there’s a chance for just the four of us to spend a little time together too.”
“Okay. As long as we have a plan. As for today, we’re getting your gown and mine. I’m trusting that you won’t put me in one of those awful bridesmaid’s gowns, right? No horrible pastels like mint green or peach. That would just be cruel, sweetie.”
I grabbed her hand and threaded my fingers through hers. “I wouldn’t do that to you. You’re my best friend in the world, so no mint or any other horrible color dress. I was thinking a nice black gown would look incredible on you with your blonde hair and green eyes.”
“Perfect! I knew you wouldn’t dress me in something awful. But what about Kim? What is she wearing?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask her to be a bridesmaid. I haven’t even told her we’re getting married.”
Jordan made a clucking sound with her tongue. “I don’t blame you. That girl is a drag. Do you plan to let her know?”
Sighing, I shrugged. “I don’t know. Kim is never supportive of anything with me, and I don’t want her to ruin this. Then I think that my father would never forgive me if he knew I didn’t invite her to my wedding. I don’t know what to do.”
The car rolled to a stop in front of a Brooklyn boutique where I knew I could find a dress on such short notice. As Jensen got out, Jordan gave me a sympathetic smile. “Well, we don’t have to think about her today. We just have to find you the world’s most incredible wedding gown and me the hottest bridesmaid’s gown so Gage sees that I clean up nice and sweeps me off my feet.”
“I see you’ve thought about this a bit,” I joked as my car door opened.
“Just a little. Now let’s get in there and find that dress!”
My dress wasn’t hard to find. I knew exactly what I wanted when I walked into the store, so it was just a matter of finding a dress that didn’t look like I was stepping out of a Disney princess parade. Thankfully, I only had to try on three before I found my perfect dress. A white satin gown with a beautiful draped neckline and cut-out back, it hung like it was made just for me. I knew as soon as I looked in the dressing room mirror that it was the dress I’d marry Tristan in.