Chapter Seventy-Two
Sierra
–three weeks later
The weather is L.A.-perfect, not a cloud in the sky. A gentle breeze sweeps over us, carrying the heady fragrance of hundreds of flowers in the garden at Huxley’s mansion.
Griffin and I invited very few people. Ellie, Heather, Griffin’s brothers, Amy and Rachel, and a handful of people from Silicone Dream.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Huxley has set up a baby grand piano in the garden for the ceremony. His fingers move along the keyboard, playing the music for the ceremony.
My heart flutters, full of bubbling happiness and love, as we exchange our vows and kiss.
From this moment on, we belong to each other in every way. Family.
And these people with us today are our extended family.
We march together down the aisle, our first time as a married couple. Our guests cast flower petals in the air from baskets we prepared.
“Time to throw the bouquet,” Griffin says.
I smile. The wedding planner we hired said the bouquet toss is generally done toward the end of the reception, but I want to throw mine in the beginning.
Ellie in a pink bridesmaid dress calls out, “Here comes the bouquet!”
I grin at her sparkling eyes. I’m planning to send it in her direction.
I turn around. “Ready?”
The crowd shouts their assent.
Here we go. I toss it over my head, hoping I’m aiming correctly.
As soon as the bouquet leaves my hand, I turn around.
Ellie jumps to catch it, but it bounces off her arms and hits Grant, who grabs it out of reflex.
“Shit.” He immediately throws it back in the air like a steaming potato. It flies and lands on Huxley, who acts like he just got hit by a grenade.
He tosses it immediately back in the air. The poor thing finally plops on Noah’s shoulder. Thankfully, he holds it in his hand.
“Whew.” Huxley stretches his neck. “Good luck, bro,” he says to Noah.
I laugh, then go over to Ellie. “Sorry you didn’t get it.”
“It’s okay.” She smiles. “Seeing you happy is more important than catching the bouquet.”
Noah comes over and hands the bouquet to her. “Here. I don’t need it, but you look like you want it.”
She takes it primly. “Thank you.”
The guests move to the outdoor reception area, lavishly set up with lots of lights and fresh flowers and gorgeous white, pink and gold ribbons.
Griffin and I hold hands and make our way to the reception, looking at each other with huge smiles on our faces. When we reach the area set up for our first dance, he kisses the tips of my fingers, his mouth warm, then lets my hand go and moves toward the microphone near the piano.
He leans over, his face hidden behind the raised lid of the baby grand. What is he doing?