Royce makes a face at him. “Anyway, yeah, I’m excited.”
I hug my other brothers and they all say hi to the rest of the guys. Cill lifts his chin slightly in Sky’s direction, and I shake my head, hiding a smile.
Years ago, Cill’s girlfriend hooked up with Sky, and clearly, Cill has some feelings about Sky seeing Midge again.
“Where’s the ladies?” I ask.
“London’s getting ready upstairs in our room. Midge and Nova are up there with Nova’s sister.”
“I’m gonna go say hi,” I say, pulling Ali along with me. “Make sure she’s not getting cold feet.”
“Fuck off,” Royce says.
I laugh and jog up the stairs. When I get to their room, I knock on the door. “It’s Merrick.”
Midge pulls the door open. “Hey!”
I pull her in for a hug. “Hey, you look great.”
She fluffs her shoulder length dark hair. “Thanks, but wait till you see the bride. Hey, Alejandro,” she says, giving him a hug.
I spot Nova straightening out London’s veil, getting ready to put it on her head. London spins around, and she nearly takes my breath away. She’s definitely gonna bring Royce to his knees.
Her long, blond hair cascades down her back in waves, part of it being pulled back in an elaborate braid with tiny white flowers and crystals entwined within. I couldn’t tell you the type of dress, but it hugs her every curve, flaring out near the bottom with a small train. The top part appears to be nothing but lace, but it’s one of the most elegant dresses I’ve ever seen on a woman.
“Holy shit. You look phenomenal,” I say, going in for a delicate hug so I don’t mess up the dress, hair, or makeup.
London beams at me. “Thank you. I can’t believe the day is finally here! I’m so glad you guys could come.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. The rest of the band is down there, too.”
“Oh Lord,” Midge groans.
“Yeah,” I say with a chuckle. “Cill’s giving Sky the evil eye down there.”
She shakes her head. “Men.”
“How’re you feeling, Nova?” I ask as she settles the veil on London’s head.
“Oh, I’m good. No crazy cravings or morning sickness yet. And I still fit into this dress, so that’s good.”
Nova’s sister says, “Well, it’s almost time. I’m gonna head down and get my seat. Greg’s probably mad I left him alone so long.” She smiles at me. “It’s nice seeing you again.”
“You too. Oh, this is Alejandro. My boyfriend.”
She smiles and shakes Ali’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I’ve only seen her a few times since she lives in Florida, but she’s been here to visit Nova a couple times that I’ve been here. She’s never met Ali, but I’m sure she’s seen the news, so it probably wasn’t a surprise who he is to me.
“Is that the first time you’ve introduced him as your boyfriend?” Midge asks.
I glance at Ali who’s got a smile on his face. “I think it is. Felt good,” I say with a grin.
“I agree,” he says, giving me a kiss.
“Well, I’m gonna head back down and make sure Cill isn’t threatening Sky.”
Midge chokes out a laugh. “Thanks.”
“See you ladies out there.”
Standing with my brothers at the altar as Royce recites his vows to London, I glance down at Ali in the front row and give him a wink. He smiles at me, looking sexy as fuck in his black on black tux. His facial hair is just a smidge past a five o’clock shadow and trimmed to perfection. I can’t wait to get him alone tonight.
Ali shakes his head with a grin on his lips before slightly nodding his head in the direction of my brother and London, telling me to pay attention. He must’ve known my mind was going elsewhere.
After the ceremony is over, we head to the huge reception tent where London and Royce are introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Kingston.
Later in the evening, after everyone is done eating and people are starting to drink and let loose, I invite Ali to the dance floor with me.
“You wanna dance?”
He looks a little surprised, but he grins and gives me his hand. “Of course. I didn’t take you for much of a dancer.”
“I’m not, but we can sway.”
He chuckles and we move to the music, my right arm low on his waist while I grab his hand with my left. Ali rests his head on my shoulder, and we finish the song out just like that. When the next song begins, he quickly lifts his head and stares into my eyes.
“What. . .when?”
I grin. “While you were asleep in the hotel room me and the guys added a hook and recorded it.”
My song to him. Our song. It’s going to be the single on the next album.
“I love you,” he says softly.
“I love you more.”
We get closer, our bodies pressed tightly against each other as the music plays. After the final lyric plays, we can weather any weather, we were meant for forever, I pull away and drop to my knee, removing the ring from my pocket.
Ali’s eyes bulge as his hands fly to his mouth. “Oh, my God.”
“Ali, we’re meant for forever. I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without you. I know what it’s like to be in the absence of your touch and your love. I can’t go through that again. I love you more than anything in this world. Please marry me.”
Ali’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “Yes, of course,” he says shakily.
My lips curl up on one side. “I need your hand, baby.”
He stretches his arm out, his hand shaking like a leaf. I slide the ring on his finger and stand up to kiss my husband-to-be.
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret,” he whispers in my ear as people clap around us.
“I’m pretty good at secrets, but don’t worry, that was my last.”
He chuckles and kisses me.
Our families come up and congratulate us, but my brothers knew it
