"Better than I thought, too." Kylie smiled. "But I'll be better when I see Lucas."
"I'll feel better, too," Holiday said.
"Where's Della and Miranda?" Kylie asked, expecting to see them by now.
"They drove into town to pick up the cake and some flowers for the reception. If they get into anargument and drop the cake or something, I'm going to cry. I swear, I've never seen two girls love to fight as much as they do."
Kylie grinned. "Yeah, but they love each other. But enough about everyone else, shouldn't you be soaking in a tub, relaxing for the big event?"
Holiday smiled. "Believe it or not, this whole thing with your mom has been a blessing. I've been more worried about you two than the stressing about the wedding."
The next hour flew by as Kylie and her mom finished helping put out chairs and assisted decorating the dining hall for the reception. Kylie had broken down and texted Lucas, but he hadn't answered. Nor had Kylie seen Della and Miranda, and she was having withdrawals.
Suddenly Kylie heard a couple of squeals. Familiar squeals. Della and Miranda squeals.
Kylie wrapped her arms around her two best friends and it turned into a group hug. "Have I told you how much I love y'all?" she said.
"Yeah," Della said. "And the only reason I'm letting you get mushy now is because I heard you kicked ass the other night."
Kylie pulled back and smiled. "I did kick ass!"
* * *
Kylie, Della, Miranda, and her mom had gone back to get dressed at Kylie's cabin. Kylie had enjoyed sharing Della and Miranda with her mom. Or she would have if she weren't still worrying about Lucas.
Where was he? Fear that he hadn't made it and hadn't wanted to face her filled her heart. Kylie left the bathroom, where they were all putting on their makeup, to check her phone.
"You know a watched phone never rings," Della told her, having followed Kylie out.
Kylie looked up. "I'm just-"
"Worried. I know. But my gut says he's fine."
Kylie looked up at her vamp friend. "Since when are you the positive one?"
"Since I was forced to room with a damn optimist." She grinned.
Kylie laughed and hugged her. A few minutes later, her and her mom and her two best friends started walking to the front. They had told Holiday they'd arrive thirty minutes early to help out with seating.
Kylie had almost texted Holiday and asked if she'd heard from Lucas, but decided not to worry Holiday any more on her wedding day.
The four of them had just turned the last bend when Kylie saw him.
He walked toward them slowly. His blue eyes, dark and hungry, were fixed on her. Obviously dressed for the wedding, he wore a navy suit coat, navy slacks, and a solid white shirt. There wasn't one spot on him that wasn't completely gorgeous.
Kylie hadn't realized she'd stopped walking until her mom leaned down and whispered, "Breathe, Kylie." There was a teasing tone in her voice. "That's your Lucas, isn't it?" she asked.
I sure as hell hope he's mine. Lucas stopped in front of her. "Mom, you remember Lucas, don't you?"
Kylie asked, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.
"Why don't we let these two have a few minutes?" Miranda said.
Kylie's mom looked as if she was nervous. "Sure, as long as ... there's not any vampires or werewolves around."Della coughed to cover up her laugh.
"Don't worry," Lucas said, "I'll protect her."
And he would, Kylie thought. He had protected her. He'd save her life.
"Oh, I was worried about me," her mom said. "Kylie's friends with them. And I'm sure that eventually I'll get used to them, but the thought of it still creeps me out."
"I understand," Lucas said, and cut his eyes to Kylie.
As her mom and Della and Miranda walked away, Kylie heard her mom say, "Do they only come out at night?"
Kylie rolled her eyes at Lucas and leaned in. "I'm not sure what she thinks they look like."
"Don't worry," he said. "She'll get used to us. Her daughter did."
Kylie grinned. "Why didn't you answer any of my texts? I've been worried sick."
"I had to cut it off and when I got out it was late and ... I wanted to tell you in person."
"You got on the Council?"
His blue eyes brightened with a smile. "I did." He looked over his shoulder, as if making sure her mom wasn't looking. Then he pulled her against him and kissed her. A soft kiss.
"I got you something," he whispered, his lips breathing words against hers.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ring. A gold ring with a large diamond. A beautiful, teardrop-shaped diamond that looked like an engagement ring. Kylie's breath caught.
"It was my grandmother's ring. In her letter she wrote you should have it. And before you start panicking, let me say that I know maybe we're too young to call it an engagement. That's why I got you this, too." He pulled out a gold chain. "I want you to wear it around your neck. Call it a promise-a promise that when you do slip a ring on that finger..." He ran his hand down to her left hand. "That it'll be my ring."
Emotion rose in her throat. "You don't have to give me anything for me to give you that promise."
"Perhaps," he said as he slipped the ring onto the chain and then reached around her and clasped it around her neck. "But this is just a little reminder for all the Dereks in the world that you're taken."
She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed him again. This time, he pulled her into the line of trees and deepened the kiss. A kiss filled with promises. Promises of more kisses ... of just more. She slipped her hand inside his coat and circled his warm waist. His hum vibrated through her body and she ached to give herself over to the lure of that sound. She came close to pulling his shirttail out and touching his naked back.
He pulled back, a little breathless. "I'd better get you to the wedding. Or we won't make it."
"If I wasn't the maid of honor, I might take you up on that." She arched a teasing brow.
He grinned. "Next week, I'm making a trip to Dallas to start to sort out my grandmother's estate. Do you think ... maybe you could come with me? We could stay in a nice hotel."
Kylie's heart raced, knowing what he was asking, and she didn't hesitate. "That sounds perfect."
As they walked up, Burnett came moving toward them. He looked concerned. "The Brightens are here,"
he said.
"For the wedding?" Kylie asked.
"No, they didn't know about the wedding, they just stopped by in hopes of seeing you." He frowned.