22

FLEUR

I stood before the mirror and looked at myself in my gown, white with little straps over the shoulders and an opening in the front to show my cleavage. When I saw the price tag, I almost didn’t get it because I would never spend that much on a dress. Might as well buy a car at that point.

But then I remembered Bastien would want me to have whatever I wanted, so I handed over his credit card.

Delphine came into the room behind me, and within the first glance, she glowed like I was really her daughter. She came up behind me and squeezed my shoulders. “My son is going to lose it.” She smiled at me in the reflection. “Everyone is seated and ready for you, honey. Nervous?”

“No.” I wasn’t nervous at all. It was my second marriage, just months after my first divorce, but this felt different. “Not at all.”

“Good. I was a nervous wreck when I got married. Should have known what that meant.” She gave me a sad smile and stepped away. “It’s such a beautiful day. You got lucky.”

“How’s Bastien?”

“Happier than I’ve ever seen him. Smoking and drinking with his boys.”

I smirked. “Of course he is.” The only person more certain of this than me was him.

“He’s a good man. And you’re a good woman. I’m glad you found each other.”

“Me too. Your son means a lot to me.”

“I know he does. I appreciate your standing by him, even when things got tough.”

The door opened, and Godric stepped inside, looking somehow like a younger version of his brother because he was less bulky. He was in a suit and tie, and he immediately gave me a restrained glance over. “Bastien said to hurry up, so let’s go.”

Of course he did. “Alright.” I grabbed the bouquet of flowers and took his arm. He guided me through the palace, the very place where Bastien had taken me as a date to a social event and I’d tried to run because everything had moved too fast. He’d cornered me by the bathroom until he’d gotten what he wanted.

And now, he got what he wanted again—in the same place.

We moved down the hallway to the double doors that led to the gardens, rows of hundreds of people facing the flowered trellis behind Bastien and Luca at his side. When the doors opened, the music hit me from the four-piece string quartet.

Then everyone rose to look at me.

My stomach was in my throat, and Godric’s arm suddenly felt like a life raft in the middle of the ocean. I used him for balance as I walked forward on the highest heels I could buy, wanting to look Bastien in the eye when I married him. I didn’t grow nervous easily, but when five hundred people stared at me, I felt weak. My dress felt heavy, my train like a burden.

But then I looked up at him—and all those fears faded away.

Because he looked at me like I was the prize he’d earned, the trophy he would display on his mantel, the beautiful rose he’d gardened through all the seasons until it bloomed. With the handsome smile on his lips and deep affection in his eyes, it was as if no one else was there but us. It was the way he looked at me when he came home from work, the way his eyes softened before he kissed me on the hairline, the look of a man not deep in lust, but deep in love.

I smiled back and couldn’t wait to get there.

We finally made it after what felt like an eternity, and instead of taking me by the hand, he circled me with his big arms and squeezed me hard, his chin resting on my head, and he held me there for a second before he kissed me on the forehead.

I melted.

He took my hand, and we faced each other before the priest, ready to declare our undying love for each other before God and the five hundred people gathered to bear witness to our union.

He continued to look at me the same way, the most handsome man I’d ever seen, eyes bluer than the goddamn sky. He’d shaved, so his jawline was smooth, and the shadow along his mouth was even more distinct.

The priest continued, and I mouthed, “You’re so hot.”

He smirked, and the twinkle that moved into his eyes was pure joy.

We didn’t exchange rings because I already had mine, and he’d inked his days before to make sure it was healed for the big day. So we took each other, there under the Paris sky with the Eiffel Tower in view, and promised to love each other forever.

The reception at the Four Seasons was a big blowout, everyone drinking and partying, having the best time of their lives. I’d never seen Bastien dance, but he moved on the dance floor like it was yet another thing he was good at.

The party went until two in the morning, and most of the guests were still there when the party ended. The lights flicked on, and people began to grab their jackets and coats to prepare to depart.

Bastien wrapped his tux jacket around my shoulders. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart.” He said goodbye to a friend and his wife, and what should have been a brief departure turned into a long conversation.

I stepped into the hallway, keeping the jacket tight around my body to stay warm.

“Sad it’s over?” Luca appeared, drunk in the eyes like he’d had a great time.

“Not as sad as you, I think,” I teased. “I get to go home to Bastien and see him naked. The rest of you don’t.”

He chuckled. “I’ve already seen him naked, so you can’t hold that over me.”

“Why have you seen him naked?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Long story.”

“It shouldn’t be that long.”

He rubbed the back of his head and gave a quiet chuckle. “Something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Bastien didn’t want any speeches, so I didn’t get to say it then, but…the two of us got a drink together months ago. This was before he asked you to move in, before things got super serious.”

“Okay.”

“He said he knew you were going to be his wife. Said he knew you were the one.”

I’d never understood Bastien’s love for me, but I would never question it, not when it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me.

“I told him he was crazy, that he barely knew you, but he told me he just fucking knew. And he wanted me to tell you that on your wedding day.”

I felt my eyes soften so much they actually ached. “I know how lucky I am, Luca.” I knew that any woman would resort to any deception to have what I had, the unwavering love and loyalty of a man like him.

“I think he’s luckier, if I’m being honest with you.” He came close and gave me a one-armed hug. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. See you later.”

“See you later.” He walked off and disappeared into the crowd of people.

Bastien returned, his arm moving around my waist before he pulled me in close for a quick kiss on the mouth. “Ready, sweetheart? It’s raining, so I’ll bring the car around.”

“It’s raining?”

“Yeah.”

I loved the sunshine, loved the fact that I could wear this dress without being cold, but I loved the rain the way I loved my husband. “Can we walk?”

“You want to walk home in the rain?” he asked, slightly amused.

“Yes.” I loved it when he smelled like the rain, when his hair was slightly damp, when the scent was heavy on his clothes. It reminded me of those nights together, in my bed or in his house, sitting outside in cafés or when we’d left the bar after my shift. It was special to me. “Then when we get home, we can warm up in front of the fire…”

He kissed me again then took me by the hand, a smile on his face and happiness in his eyes. “Let’s do it, sweetheart.”