I widened my eyes. “You will?”
He nodded. “As I said, we have to make up for lost time. Plus, I would love to bring in the new year with you.”
“Okay.” I let out a long breath. “And then after that?”
“We fuck some more.”
I chuckled. “Saint.”
“Then we figure out my move to your city. I told you that I’ve been thinking about this for years. The Network would support it.”
Pressure built in my chest. Terror seized me.
“Breathe, Ivy.”
I followed his instructions.
“We’ll take this day by day.”
I nodded. “Then, why does it seem so. . .fast?”
“Fast for you, but not for me.”
“True.”
“We’ll be in the same city. Wrap your head around that, and be okay with it.”
I finished one glass of champagne.
His voice held a seductive edge. “I’m not changing the plan now that I have you.”
My body warred with itself. Nervousness entwined with arousal. Dread sprinkled into lust. I yearned for him and in the same moment wanted to run and hide.
But I remained there, remembering the spirits that visited me and all the things that they showed.
Chapter 17
Oh Holy Night
For the reception, Holly rented a nearby banquet hall.
Due to not eating breakfast that morning, I was super tipsy off the two glasses of champagne. I left the SnowChapel with Saint. He drove us over. Instead of going straight to the reception, we made out in the car like teenagers. With each slip of the tongue, my fear and regret began to slip away.
Several hot minutes later, we headed inside. I stopped in the doorway and drank in the setting. “Wow.”
Smiling, Saint remained at my side and held my hand. “This is nice.”
Warm air spread around me. The huge banquet hall had a domed top. High, white arches loomed over and held up a glass ceiling. The fragrant perfume of roses and gardenias filled the air. Sunlight reflected against the thousands of white flowers that hung from the ceiling. They glowed. Excited chatter buzzed throughout the space. A few children giggled and ran between the tables.
In the SnowChapel, we stood within sculptured crystal ice. At this reception, we would dance and party within a breathtaking white garden.
Shocked, I noticed that Holly and Nikolas had beat us to the place.
Whoa. How long were we making out?
The newlyweds sat at a small table at the head of the room. Tons of bouquets of white roses surrounded them. The wedding party was at a table near them.
“Let’s go.” Saint gently pulled me forward.
Holly spotted me and wagged her finger, knowing exactly why we were late.
I winked at her and she giggled. Then Nikolas grabbed her attention by leaning over and kissing her.
Those two will have a baby before their first anniversary.
We arrived at the wedding party table. Saint pulled out a chair for me. I lowered into it. Next, he sat down on my right.
“Hey, Ivory.” Emma leaned in on my left. “Are you ready for your speech? It’s coming up.”
“Fuck,” I muttered.
She shook her head. “You forgot?”
“I. . .yeah. . .I forgot.”
Emma raised her eyebrows. “Do you want me to do it in your place?”
No way. Holly would never forgive me.
Emma would be guaranteed to do a long speech of negative thoughts and statements that centered around her.
I gave Emma a weak smile. “Thanks so much, but I’ve got it.”
“Okay, but this is important. If you fail, you could ruin the entire night for all of us.”
“Thanks, Emma. You’re always positive and helpful.”
“I try.” She snapped her attention to her little daughter twerking on the dance floor. “What the hell is Katie doing?”
I laughed. “Looks like she’s shaking what her mother gave her.”
“Well, I most certainly didn’t give her that.” Emma rose and headed over to the dance floor.
I shook my head and turned to Saint. “Did you remember your speech?”
“Of course. I wrote it last month and then spent this month memorizing it.”
“Wow. Just wow.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I wished I thought of that.”
“No speech?”
“I’m working on it.” My stomach twisted. “Do you have a pen?”
“I’ll get one.” He left.
Damn it. How could I have forgotten the speech?
Veronica waved at me from the other side of the table. “They did it, girl.”
I forced a smile and nodded. “Yes.”
She clapped. “Now we can drink and relax.”
I wish.
For the rest of the reception, I worked on my speech, scribbling thoughts down on a napkin. Every now and then, I would chat with guests that came by to say hello. I did my best to look engaged just in case Holly glanced my way. But I definitely focused more on what I would say. After everything that occurred, this would be my last duty for her.
I can’t fuck this up.
After thirty minutes, the wedding planner came over to me right as the entrees were on the table. “Ivy, it’s time for you to do your speech.”
I displayed an awkward smile. “Okay.”
She gave me the microphone.
I guess it is good that I didn’t eat. This way I won’t vomit all over everybody since I have an empty stomach.
The mic weighed heavy in my hand. I stood, picked up my spoon, and tapped it against my champagne glass. Everyone turned my way. Emma’s children continued to talk. Her husband silenced them.
I cleared my throat. My heart pounded in my ears.
I raised the microphone to my mouth. “Hello, everyone.”
Mrs. Madison waved, signaling to me that she was drunk. For some reason, she loved to wave when she had too many.
I waved back.
Holly smiled with excitement.
Oh, God. She thinks this is going to be awesome.
“Thank you everyone for giving me your attention.” I picked up the napkin, read the first few lines, and then looked back at the audience. “Today, you are lucky to be here. Not only have you experienced a breathtaking wedding in a chapel made of snow, but right now you will witness a unique event in history.”
I swallowed. “This is the first and presumably last time anyone will ever trust me to give a speech at their wedding.”
Tons of people laughed, including Saint. Holly began to cry.
Oh, God. Stop it, Holly. I don’t want to cry too.
Still, my eyes watered. “I met Nikolas the first time Holly did, and it was a rough moment in my life. And on Christmas too. But those two, as well as her brother Saint, helped me make it through. And here we are many years later with them providing more amazing moments on Christmas. Because what could be more memorable than the beauty of their love.”
Nikolas put his arm around Holly’s shoulder and kissed her cheek.
“But enough about me. That day they met, I knew deep within my heart that something would blossom between them. And I’m not just saying it.” I touched my chest. “I felt it here. And every moment after that, they became my real example of the power of love. So beautiful. So pure. That. . .”