Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
When would Seth admit it?
“You look…amazing, little girl,” he whispered.
“Like a gorgeous angel,” Seth seconded.
“Thank you. You three look incredibly handsome yourselves.” She smiled again as she descended the stairs, regarding Buddy. “Gloria said to sit tight. She’ll be down as soon as Giorgio finishes her makeup.”
The groom nodded. But instead of sitting, he started pacing again.
Beck and Seth met their girl at the bottom of the stairs and extended their hands. After placing a palm in each, she smiled as they meshed her between them. Though Beck ached to wreck her glossy pink lips, he forced himself to wait until after the wedding. As if struggling to keep from kissing her senseless, too, Seth glided his lips up her exposed neck. Beck joined in, reveling when she shuddered between them.
Was Seth too afraid to feel how right this was?
“May I have your attention please?” Giorgio, a flamboyant makeup artist with neon orange hair, called. Grudgingly, Beck peeled his lips away from Heavenly’s soft skin. Seth did the same as everyone turned their attention to the slender man. “It’s my honor and privilege to present your beautiful bride, Gloria.”
His ex-wife appeared at the top of the stairs, looking like a vision. Her gaze instantly locked on Buddy, who’d stopped pacing and stared up at her, slack-jawed.
“Oh, baby.” Tears pooled in his eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
Gloria’s chin quivered ever so slightly as she floated down the stairs in a billowing gray chiffon gown with a tasteful V-neck, elegant lace sleeves, a banded waist, and a bi-level hem that framed her shapely legs.
“Isn’t she lovely?” Heavenly beamed.
“Yeah.” Beck nodded, pushing the words past the lump of emotion lodged in his throat.
Buddy charged up the stairs and wrapped an arm around his bride-to-be’s waist as the doorbell rang.
“That’s our ride,” Buddy announced, helping Gloria off the last step.
“You ready to get married?” she asked breathlessly, peering up at her groom.
“Baby, I’ve been ready for years. I was just waiting on you.”
That was sweet, and Beck was happy for them…but he didn’t want to wait years. His closest friends—and confirmed singletons—Hammer and Gloria, were both happy and settling down. After today, his ex-wife would be a married woman—for real. Hammer was expecting twins with Liam and Raine and they were planning a wedding in September. Beck was beginning to feel left behind, like the future was happening without him.
After they all loaded into the shiny black stretch limo, Beck reached down and clasped Heavenly’s hand. She sent him a warm smile, then lifted their entwined fingers, studying his intently.
“Your nails look nice.”
“Thanks,” he grumbled. “I guess having them buffed wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
On her other side, Seth cleared his throat, wearing a cocky grin. “I told you so.”
Beck eased against the seat, slung an arm around Heavenly’s shoulders, and flipped the gloating prick his middle finger.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to the iconic white chapel with its pitched blue roof. Beck chuckled at the pink Cadillac parked beside the building.
Gloria and Buddy were giggling madly as everyone exited the limo and hurried inside to escape the Vegas summer heat. While Beck and Gloria remained at the back of the chapel, Buddy strolled down the gold brocade carpet and assumed his position near the podium. Seth and Heavenly followed, taking a first-row seat on one of the white wooden pews.
As they waited for Elvis to make his grand entrance, Gloria looped her arm through Beck’s elbow.
“Hey.” Beck smiled, patting her hand, which now clutched his forearm.
“Hey, yourself.”
“Don’t be nervous.”
She sent him a wobbling stare. “I’m trying not to be. But this time, I’m getting married for real.”
“You are. And I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.”
“Thank you. I’m happy, too.” Her smile turned tender. “You’re next, you know.”
Beck did his best to maintain his smile. “From your lips to God’s ears…”
“She’ll come around,” Gloria encouraged.
Beck didn’t correct her. Now wasn’t the time. Instead, he changed the subject. “Speaking of happy…thank you again for helping Zach with his new identity. Now he’s officially and legally Zach Beckman, and I talked to him yesterday. He’s over the moon.”
“You’re welcome. He needed a fresh start as much as you did all those years ago, Kenneth.”
Beck smiled. “You look like a queen. And Buddy will always treat you like one.”
Gloria drew in a ragged breath and swallowed tightly, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “For the first time in my life, I feel like one, instead of a worthless hooker.”
“You’ve never been a worthless hooker, sweetheart.”
“Not even to you?”
“Especially not to me.” He squeezed her hand. “You’ve always been my savior and my friend. You’ve said for years that I would have survived without you, but I don’t think so. If you hadn’t plucked me off the streets and showed me how many ways my life had purpose and meaning, I’d either be dead or behind bars. Your understanding, patience, and guidance made me the man I am today. And the man I’ll be tomorrow. Thank you isn’t enough to convey the love and gratitude in my heart for you, Gloria.”