“Everything okay?”
Chelsea focused her attention on Brandee’s reflection and nodded. “Couldn’t be better. You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. And this Christmas wedding is going to be magical.”
Brandee turned and reached for Chelsea’s hands. “I’m more focused on my happily-ever-after. Too many people focus on the wedding details and making a big show of things. I just want to spend my life with Shane.”
/> “He’s a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Brandee tipped her head down and narrowed her eyes. “What’s up, Chels? Something is off with you today.”
There was no sense in lying again. Brandee wasn’t buying it. “Just a mishap with Gabe. Nothing for you to worry about on your special day.”
Brandee’s brows drew in as she squeezed Chelsea’s hands. “Oh, honey, what happened?”
The threat of tears burned the back of her throat. “He’s not the man I thought he was.”
“Did he hurt you?”
Chelsea dabbed beneath her eyes, already knowing she was going to have to have a makeup redo. “I found more pictures at his place. Pictures of me from the gym locker room.”
Brandee jerked back. “What did he say?”
“He denied any involvement with his uncle. Dusty sent the photos with a letter—I read it. He wanted Gabe to carry on with what he’d started.”
Brandee pursed her lips. “But Gabe didn’t do anything with them, right?”
“Not yet. But he didn’t tell me he had them,” Chelsea replied. “He kept them hidden when he could’ve destroyed them or just explained what happened and why he had them in the first place.”
Brandee reached up and wiped a tear from Chelsea’s cheek before squeezing her hands once again. “Gabe wouldn’t hurt you. Did you ever think that’s the reason he didn’t tell you? Maybe he’s protecting you.”
Or maybe he was still being loyal to his uncle.
There were just so many questions, and she was an emotional wreck. Now wasn’t the time to try to solve all of her problems. She had a wedding to partake in...and a man waiting to walk down the aisle with her.
“Forget it,” Chelsea said, squaring her shoulders and sniffling back the tears. “This is your day and whatever Gabe and I have going on, I swear it won’t interfere with this.”
“Of course it won’t.” Brandee smiled and dropped her hands to smooth down her gown. “I know how Gabe feels, though. Remember the way he manhandled that jerk who was mistreating you? And the way Gabe looks at you when you don’t know is enough to set panties on fire. He cares for you and, if I’m not mistaken, he loves you.”
Chelsea closed her eyes, willing those words to be true, but his actions said different...didn’t they? Had she jumped to conclusions?
“We’ve all been through so much.” Chelsea reached out to adjust her friend’s veil around her face. “Let’s just focus on the happiness of today. It’s two days before Christmas and everything is finally settling back down after a year of scandal. This is going to be the best day and a new beginning.”
Brandee nodded. “Let’s fix your makeup and get ready for the pictures. But I want you to keep in mind, Gabe is exactly the man he claims to be. I’d stake my life on it.”
Chelsea wasn’t so sure she could say the same, but she’d laid her heart on the line, which was pretty much the same. She needed some space to think. Unfortunately, she’d be walking arm in arm with the only man she’d ever loved in a very short time.
Right now she needed to put on her happy face and coat of armor. This day was about to test every bit of her strength.
Seventeen
“You look stunning.”
Gabe whispered the compliment as Chelsea slid her arm over his elbow. She clutched her gold ribbon that secured a ball of mistletoe. In lieu of bouquets, Chelsea and Brandee had gone with mistletoe...and now he was being mocked by the classic flower.
The late afternoon wedding at the TCC was perfect. As he glanced around, Gabe saw every detail that he and Chelsea had a hand in. He had to focus on things like that because the woman at his side was driving him out of his mind with want and need.
The way Chelsea’s body shifted beneath the material of her dress, the way she delicately brushed against his body, had his mind pumping into overdrive.
The last time he’d seen her in that dress...