The dress was on and they were only twenty-three minutes behind schedule. Lauren, the photographer, had arrived and was currently rushing around the bridal suite, taking photos of everything. Zoey and Addison dutifully changed into their short robes for photo ops. The dark clouds had fully opened up and downpoured all over the South Lake Tahoe area.
Taylor had called moments ago and advised that she and Sophie were moving tables around with the on-site coordinator so they could have the wedding in the middle of the dance floor, and Taylor was adjusting the lights so they wouldn’t be completely in the dark. Taylor had also called the DJ who knew to go straight to the reception site and skip the beach completely.
Caroline had pulled out the wedding bible and gave Zoey and Addison the task of calling every guest on the list to tell them that the wedding had moved indoors. As Makenna blended foundation and dusted highlighter on Zoey, Zoey called number after number to tell them of the change of plans. A few “good idea” and “it’s good luck for rain on your wedding day” came through the line when Zoey advised where it was and what time. Addison got through her list just as fast and made her last call just as Makenna applied fake lashes. Zoey was tasked with calling Aunt Lisa, and Zoey breathed out a sigh of relief when she got voicemail.
Makenna worked quickly, and each woman looked distinct in their style. Zoey’s hair, a messy fishtail braid draped over one shoulder, did not match Caroline’s at all. Zoey specifically requested it after she saw it on Makenna in one of her Instagram posts. Zoey opted for a bright red lipstick and minimal eye makeup with dramatic, false lashes, keeping with the theme of red and pink. Both Caroline and Addison opted for soft curls and subdued makeup with a light pink lip.
A knock came at the door, and Zoey answered it to find Jonathan.
Zoey’s breath caught in her throat as she took him in. Jonathan looked sexy as hell in a light gray suit with a red tie, his messy brown hair parted to the side and combed back. His jawline was smooth and kissable after a recent shave. Her breath caught in her throat as Jonathan walked toward her. He held a black box with a red ribbon, a white envelope sitting beneath it. She was doing a great job of not thinking about him, and then, here he was.
“I was instructed to deliver this to the bride,” Jonathan said, giving the box and envelope to Caroline. He immediately pulled out his phone to record. Zoey watched Jonathan as he snuck a glance at her and smothered a smile as he watched the footage on his screen.
Lauren snapped photos of Caroline reading the card, tears glimmering in her eyes as she read. Caroline daintily dabbed her nose and eyes with the tissue to avoid makeup transfer. Caroline opened the black box to find a folded-up piece of paper. After unfolding it and reading it, Caroline’s face lit up like a spotlight.
“We’re going to Bora Bora for our honeymoon!” Caroline jumped in her seat, her fists clinching with excitement.
“When do you leave?” Addison asked.
“It says on Monday,” Caroline said. “I’ll come back all tanned and relaxed.”
“And pregnant,” Makenna said. All the girls gasp-laughed. It was also not a secret that Caroline was hoping to get pregnant as soon as possible after the wedding. She had just gone off the pill the week before. Caroline and Zoey both knew far too many women who missed the pill one or two times and ended up pregnant or got pregnant the first month of being off, so Caroline had just timed the end of the pack the week before.
Zoey felt a hand on her bicep. Zoey turned her head toward Jonathan and caught him looking at her intensely.
“Can I steal you away?” Jonathan asked.
“Sure,” Zoey said. She followed Jonathan out of the suite and into the hallway, and the familiar uncertainty crept its way back in. With the flurry of activity from the day, she barely had time to think about the status of their relationship. Now, he stood in front of her, looking the sexiest she had ever seen him, and every old feeling came rushing back, too strong to resist.
Jonathan thought Zoey looked adorable in her pink dress and messy braid with her lips painted the color of danger. He took her jaw in his hand and leaned down for a peck. She rubbed his lip with her thumb to smudge off the lipstick transfer. Usually, he wouldn’t know what to do the next day after a hookup, but with Zoey, it felt natural to kiss her and touch her without the awkwardness.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” she said, looking up at him with a cute, wide smile.
“Is Caroline completely freaking out about the rain?” Jonathan asked. He linked his fingers at the small of her back and her arms circled his neck.
Zoey nodded vigorously. “We had to call everyone. I had to call Aunt Lisa.”
“Oh no, not Aunt Lisa.”
“I got voicemail,” Zoey said. She looked up with serious eyes. “I have something to discuss with you.”
“Shoot,” he said. He kissed the top of her head as she looked down.
“You got out of bed and didn’t even leave a note. We talked about this. You lost a golden opportunity, pal.”
“So, I need to leave a note,” Jonathan said. “Like I hit your car.”
“Yes,” Zoey said. She broke away from him and set her hands on her hips like a demanding toddler. Her serious face erupted into a smile. “That’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about. Romantic things. You are a grown man, Jonathan. I want notes and flowers and compliments and rainbows and shit.”
“Okay, I’m digging this communication. Much better than you being mad at me for weeks for no reason like in high school.” He took her into his arms and kissed her cheek. She smelled heavenly again, and his fingers intertwined with the tulle on her skirt. “You look beautiful today. I feel like the luckiest man in Tahoe that I get this second chance with you.”
“Wow, you think you’re getting a second chance. I mean, I don’t know how to break it to you, but…” Zoey wrapped her arms around his neck. “I mean, you didn’t leave a note. How are you going to make it up to me?”
“Anything, my beautiful goddess.”
“Oh, I know. You thought I was joking, but the cunnilingus I was requiring? Double it.”
Blood immediately rushed to his cock. He hardened against her, and Zoey must’ve felt it since she looked down and pressed her whole body against him. Her breath slowed, and she placed a hand on his chest. His mind zoned in on the sensation of his body against hers. Funny how less than twenty-four hours ago, he thought sex with Zoey might be the worst idea in the world. Now, it sounded like the best one.
“That’s definitely a start,” she said. “Let me know what else you got, Turner.”
She broke away from him and turned back with a sly smile before going back into the bridal suite. She looked back before disappearing back in the suite, and he breathed out rapidly. He collected himself but still walked with an awkward gait down the hall to the elevators. As he pressed the button to go down to the lobby, he adjusted himself in his slacks.
He was definitely falling back in love with her.
15
Taylor exploded back into the bridal suite about ten minutes before they were due at the ceremony site for more pictures. Her hair was slightly damp and she was out of breath.