Falling for the Ghost of You(59)

She carefully wipes the corner of her eyes, then waves a dismissive hand. "Thanks, love. At my age, I just hope I don't look too ridiculous. Oh, have you seen Jane? I found some earrings she can borrow."

I grab my phone and ask Jane to come to our cottage. Then I text Lauren for the fifth time.



Me: Is he here yet?

Lauren: Haven't seen him. Don't worry, he'll be here!



I sigh. Zane can't miss the wedding. I will kill him if he does.

To distract myself, I check my reflection in the full-length mirror. I love my dress. It’s a strapless dark blue jersey material with a full knee length skirt. My hair is down in loose curls, one side pinned up by a glittering barrette made by my grandmother. I wish I could wear Zane's bracelet, but today is so not the day to have the attention focused on my wrist.

I feel sophisticated and glamorous for a change. I wonder what he'll think of me. It's going to be so hard to pretend he's just my future step brother. How am I going to pull that off in front of my family? What if I blurt out something completely inappropriate again? I might—it's been known to happen.

Worry and doubt swirl in my head until I am nervous as Mom. We stand by the window, shaking like leaves in the wind, and jumping whenever anyone tries to talk to us. Then Mom chokes on a mint, and I unnecessarily perform the Heimlich maneuver on her—unnecessary because she spit the mint out as soon as she started choking. Fortunately, I don’t break any of her ribs, and we end up laughing hysterically about it. Not sure why.

Before we are ready, Jane and Jeri are ushering us to the gazebo. On the way, I text Lauren.

Me: Do you see him??

Lauren: Yeah. And wow!

Me: Wow what???

Lauren: You'll see



Ugh! As if I wasn't nervous enough already! And why does Jeri keep pushing me? I slap her hands away, annoyed.

"Go, Violet!" she hisses.

She gives me a giant shove, and I'm suddenly stumbling down the aisle with everyone in the rows of chairs turning to look at me.

I only trip twice, which is amazing, considering these three inch heels. Clutching my bouquet, I concentrate on floating down the aisle.

I barely see the smiling faces of family and friends, barely notice Bill, looking spiffy and uncomfortable, waiting in the gazebo. My gaze is completely focused on the beautiful boy in the crisp tux, standing straight and tall next to Bill.

He is amazing, the most perfect thing I've ever seen in my life. So effortlessly elegant and sexy, he seems utterly untouchable to me.

And that god is my boyfriend!

Zane watches me walk down the aisle, a hint of a smile on his ineffably beautiful face. I can't help the huge grin on mine. I take my position, overcome with a lovely sense of joy. I am so grateful to be right here, right now.

I have to tear my attention away from Zane to watch Mom make her entrance.

Here we go.

I am far from the sentimental type, but I fight back tears as Mom and Bill exchange their vows. His is laughably simple, but the smitten look on his face says it all. Mom is much more elaborate, tears falling freely as she expresses gratitude for her life, her family...and the man standing beside her. Those who know what she's been through cry with her.

I am so happy, and so proud of her right now.

In a daze, I realize it's over. Zane reaches for my arm and escorts me down the aisle. He supports most of my weight, which I am super grateful for. I’m an emotional mess, and I don't think I could have made it alone.

"Well, now you're officially my step sister," he says out of the corner of his mouth. "Is it inappropriate to tell you how god damn beautiful and sexy you look right now?"

I laugh shakily. "Not any more than me telling you I'd like to rip that tux off your body with my teeth."

Zane leans his head back and laughs.

I don't know why. I'm not kidding.

The reception is held indoors, in a ball room decorated in the wedding colors of blue and silver. The multitudes of candles set off the gorgeous chandeliers with their flickering lights. It's magical, and I can't enjoy it.

I stand next to Lauren's table, fuming. I should be with Zane, but I'm not. Why? Because we both decided we couldn't be that close, and be able to keep our hands off each other. Lauren also confirms that the sexual tension between us is so obvious that she feels like taking a cold shower.

And that's why it's my slutty cousin, Taylor, pressed up against Zane's side instead of me.

Taylor is the current Miss Nevada. I know she's blood, but I hate her guts. I hate Aunt Barb and Uncle Mike for raising such a pretty ho. I hate that no one is telling her that this is a wedding reception, not a whorehouse.

"She's touching his arm again!" I growl. "That—ugh! Do you think she's prettier than me?"

"I don't know," Lauren says tiredly, poking at her chicken. "You have bigger boobs."