Noelle tried to shush the two older witches, hoping they weren’t drawing too much attention. “Ladies, you can’t say such things.”
Zelda snapped her fingers; the lights began to flash in the hall, causing the humans to go quiet. “See, they have no clue. They think it’s all part of the pomp and ceremony. We have put up with your sister and her bitchtroop for you. Now that she’s married to that jackhole, we can kick the lot of them off to Whereverville.”
Sassy held her hand up. “Is that near Whocaresville?”
Zelda and Sassy slapped hands as they walked off.
Noelle inhaled, hoping the two ladies wouldn’t make too much trouble.
“Hey, don’t worry. I’ve known Zelda and Sassy for a little while and well...yeah, they’re both a bit crazy, but they’re still good people to have on your side.” Ridge brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.
“Noelle York, what do you have on?” Merry’s voice muttered next to them.
She counted to three in her head before turning to face her sister. “Don’t start, Merry. Your wedding is over. I wore and did everything you’d asked of me until this very moment. I’m done being whatever it is you think I owe you. Now, please walk through the doors so you can be announced properly.”
Behind her sister, she saw her mother hold her thumb up. Her father gave a nod. They’d done everything in their limited powers to give Noelle whatever she needed to recover after her captivity. However, it was Merry who’d demanded more of their attentions, begging them to take in her friends who’d gone through the same thing she’d suffered. Noelle wasn’t exactly sure what happened to the ladies while she’d been unconscious, but she was done paying for their hurt. She hadn’t been the one to take them.
“I can’t believe you’re going to ruin my wedding with your defiance. I selected that dress with love and...and time, just for you, Noelle,” Merry sobbed.
Noelle snorted. “You chose the ugliest, most unflattering shit for whatever your reasonings, but it sure as shit wasn’t love. Don’t get it twisted, Merry.”
Merry put her hand to her chest, stumbled back against Carlton. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”
Carlton shook his head. “Darling, it’s just a dress. Come on, it’s time for them to announce us. My parents are inside already.”
Noelle was sure her sister was going to throw a fit of epic proportions until her father came up, putting his hand on her shoulder. He whispered something, and then the doors were being opened. The lights inside were similar to the fairy lights in the hallway, only even more grand with greenery everywhere, making her think of a forest.
Merry and Carlton walked in first, her sister and her new hubby walking like royalty until they reached the large dance floor, twinkling lights danced above their heads. The rest of the wedding party was supposed to walk together, but Noelle refused to walk with the creep, keeping her arm locked with Ridge’s. Her sister didn’t appear to care as they danced.
“Are we supposed to join them or no?” Ridge asked.
“Noelle, can I have a word with you?”
She hated to let go of Ridge, but her father had always been so good to her. “I’ll be right back, Ridge.”
Her father led her over by the wall where her mother stood with Zelda. “What’s wrong?”
“Your parents would like to stay after your sister leaves. It’s up to you but it will be on a probationary basis. I don’t like the way they’ve treated you or allowed your sister to treat you these last few years. I’ve allowed it because you needed to get a backbone. I see you’ve grown one and maybe gotten a little something else.” Zelda jerked her thumb toward Ridge who was staring at them with a frown.
“Wait, you mean you’d make them leave or stay if I said so? What if I move?” She bit her lip, unable to voice her thoughts. She was aware what Ridge thought they were and didn’t know what that meant for them in the long run. He had a Crew and a business in Nowhere, the next town over. She had a job she could literally do anywhere. Oh, he didn’t even know what she did for a living. They didn’t know each other, yet she wanted to know him in the most carnal way.
“Oh, I know that expression. You got that look of mates on your face.” Zelda put her arm over her mom’s shoulder. “I give it a couple more months and we’ll be planning another shindig.”
Her father raked his eyes over at Ridge. “Who is that young man? Do I need to have a talk with him?”
Sassy laughed, slapping her hands together like a loon. “Can I watch when you do?”
Noelle pushed her shoulder. “Shut up. I’m going to go and see if I can’t switch dinner spots with someone.”
“Done took care of that, dear.” Zelda wiggled her fingers.
“I’ll make sure your sister doesn’t get her panties in a twist.” Sassy turned, heading toward the head table.
The rest of the night, Noelle and Ridge avoided her sister and Carlton until it was time for her to throw the bouquet. She didn’t want to be the one to catch it, heck, she didn’t even want to join in the mass of women vying for the stupid arrangement. Standing at the very back of the crowd, she was barely done cringing from the display Carlton had made of crawling up her sister’s dress to get the garter belt.
“That is a tradition that will not be happening at my wedding,” she muttered.
“If I’m on my hands and knees and up your skirt, you can bet your sweet ass I ain’t coming back out with a garter belt between my teeth.” Ridge bent to her ear, licking it.
“I never thought my sister would’ve approved of him doing that either.” She shivered when Ridge bit
