My eyes go to the door when I see Joseph walking in. His black suit looks like he just put it on, his blond hair looks like he just ran his hand through it, and it even looks like it's wet in the back. "Hey." He smiles when he sees me and bends to kiss my lips. "Sorry I'm late."
"No worries," I say, ignoring the pull in my stomach. "Now that you're here." I put down the glass in my hand and clap my hands. "Let's get the show on the road."
Chapter 3
Shelby
"Let's get the show on the road," Joseph repeats from beside me as I smell his aftershave. He puts his hand in mine, and picks up my hand, and brings it to his lips. "You look nice," he says with a smirk.
"Thank you," I say, trying to tell myself that it's all good that he's here, but I'm pissed he showed up so late.
"Oh, look who showed up," Presley declares, giving him a side glare.
"So, he's not dead after all," Clarabella adds, coming up behind her.
"What?" he asks, confused, looking at my sisters and then turning to look at me. His eyebrows are pressed together.
"Nothing." I shake my head. "Can we just get on with it?" I say between clenched teeth.
"Yes, let's," Presley says, and she turns, clapping her hands. "If I can have everyone's attention," she announces, and everyone stops talking and looks over at us. She starts directing people to their places. Joseph's hand slips out of mine, and I see him walking toward his parents. His mother smiles at him, and he shakes his father's hand as he goes in for a side hug.
I'm usually the one who does all of this, but with me being the bride, Presley is taking over this part. "I need you to stand right there," she tells me as she pulls me out of the venue space, and I see Clarabella and Sheila coming over to me.
"You look absolutely stunning," Sheila compliments once she sees me. "I'm so sorry I was late. I was stuck in traffic, and then I couldn't find my bag for tomorrow." She shakes her head. "It was a mess." Her blond hair is piled on top of her head with soft curls coming out on the side, her green eyes made up with a smoky look, making them pop more.
"Okay, Sheila," Presley directs. "I need you to walk down the aisle, counting to three every time you take the next step.” Sheila nods at her and walks down the aisle as we do a run-through for the next day. It takes about an hour for us to get it the way that Presley thinks works, and I won't even bother telling her that it's probably going to not be right at all, but it'll be okay.
"Time for us to eat," Joseph says from beside me, and everyone walks over to the tables that are set up to eat. "Are you hungry?" he smiles at me and asks.
"Yeah," I answer, and I can't tell you what I feel right now. It's a feeling I don't think I would be able to explain. He walks over to the table and pulls out the chair for me. I sit down and wait for everyone to sit. Mallory comes over and fills up the champagne glasses at the table.
"You okay?" Ace asks from beside me, and I nod my head. "You look pale."
"Thanks," I tell him, and he just laughs.
"You are fine." He shakes his head and looks over at Sheila, who just sits there talking to Clarabella next to her.
"If I can have everyone's attention." Joseph stands up, clicking the champagne glass in front of him with a spoon. The whole room goes quiet as Presley sits next to him in the empty seat right next to Harlow. "I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight," he says. "And for Shelby not ripping into me for being late," he jokes, and everyone else laughs. He looks down at me, and all I can do is fake a smile as all eyes are on me. "But all joking aside." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "I can't wait until tomorrow. Love you, honey." He leans down and kisses my lips. "Cheers." He holds up his glass, and I look around as everyone picks up their glasses and holds them toward us. I grab my glass and hold it up.
"We said no speeches until tomorrow," Clarabella reminds him while she smiles at us. "Someone didn't get the memo."
"Someone can hear just fine," Joseph replies, sitting down. "I was just saying thank you." He puts his hand around my chair now. "It was okay, right?" he asks, and I just nod my head as a plate of food is put in front of me.