“Shit.” He pulled a tissue from his pocket and added pressure to the stitches he’d received late last night in the ER. Then to the still-oozing scrapes along the side of his face, wincing at the pressure against the bruises. Then to his swollen lip. A small price to pay for the starring role on Hawaiian Heat, but the timing of it was just plain cruel.
Rubi’s convertible Aston Martin took the corner toward him about twenty miles per hour too fast and cut across two lanes of traffic, stopping so close to the curb, Zach had to step back to keep from getting clipped with the bumper.
Wes put the car into Park and stood from the driver’s side, rounding the trunk. “Welcome home, bud.”
“Dude,” Zach said, starting toward the back of the car. “You almost took me out at the knees.”
“Eh. All the required plumbing is way above the knees.” Wes rearranged a few things in the trunk to make room for Zach’s carryon. “You’ve got the girls in a tizzy. Should have seen Tessa’s face when she found out you weren’t getting in until this morning. Turned white as a sheet. I thought she was going to hit the deck—”
He straightened and focused on Zach’s face. His smile fell into shock. “What the…?”
“Shut up,” Zach said in advance, knowing exactly what would happen next. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Wes didn’t disappoint him—his friend started laughing. He laughed and laughed and fucking laughed. He laughed so hard, he stumbled backward with an arm over his belly.
“Jesus, Wes.” He couldn’t help but smile, which hurt like a bitch and killed his humor. “Stop it. I need to get to the house. Did my family make it?”
Wes planted both hands on his knees and caught his breath. “Yeah, yeah. I’m not sure which woman is more nervous about your late arrival—your mother or your bride.” He straightened and planted his hands at his hips. Shaking his head, he spoke through more laughter, “Oh my God. Your wedding pictures are going to be fucking epic.”
Pictures. Zach’s eyes closed, and he hung his head. “Jesus Christ. I forgot about pictures. I was too worried about how my mom and Tessa were going to react.”
“As long as Tessa’s still a hot-shot contract attorney to the stars when you put the ring on her finger, you’ll be okay. You know your mom likes Tessa and Sophia way more than she likes you, right?”
“Yes, I know. But thanks for reminding me.”
“Just keeping it all in perspective.”
“Come on, guys.” A traffic cop approached. “Save your fun for another time. Move out.” He took in Zach’s face and grimaced. “Get some ice on that shit, dude.”
That kicked off another laughing fit for Wes. “He’s way past ice.”
Even the traffic cop laughed. “Come on. Move it.”
“I can’t wait to hear how all that happened,” Wes told Zach on the way toward the driver’s side. He opened the door and looked at him across the convertible. “Just let me get behind Tessa before you show your face. I want to be there to catch her. Maybe you ought to reschedule the honeymoon. You ain’t making any magic with those injuries. Take my word for it.”
Zach grimaced as he eased himself into the passenger’s seat. “Fuckin’ prick.”
“I’ve never seen anything this gorgeous, Lexi,” Tessa told the woman fussing with her hair in preparation for the veil. Lexi had designed a wedding gown just for Tessa, a stunning gown beyond her wildest dreams. She’d also created the bridesmaid’s dresses—all six of them, all different to fit each woman perfectly—Lexi, Rubi, Rachel, Grace, Ellie, and Brook. Even Sophia had a matching flower girl’s dress. And Lexi had done it all as a wedding gift for Tessa and Zach. “I know you told me to stop saying thank you, but—”
“Don’t do it.” Rubi’s voice came from the doorway leading to the deck off the living room of Jax and Lexi’s Malibu home. She wore a rich blue, sleeveless dress that hugged her perfect body like dipped paint and made her eyes look more blue than green. “Or you may end up looking too much like your groom.”
Tessa’s first reaction was joy. “He’s here? He’s physically standing on this property? Like right now?” Then the rest of her meaning registered and concern wiped out her happiness. “Wait, what do you mean—?”
“Daddy’s here!” Sophia ran in, wearing a dress too gorgeous to be adorning a child, in the same beautiful ocean blue as Rubi’s. “Mommy, Daddy has a—”
Rubi caught Sophia around the waist and pulled her back against her, covering her mouth with her free hand. “Oh, no, you don’t, monkey.”
Sophia squirmed and giggled.
“Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” Rubi asked.
Tessa pressed a hand to her stomach. “No. No bad news on my wedding day.”
“Okay, we’ll start with the good news,” Rubi said. “Zach is here, standing on this property, like right now.”
Tessa let out a breath of relief. As long as he was here, she could handle the rest.
“And the bad news is…” She uncovered Sophia’s mouth. “You’re on, cupcake.”