Page 127 of Fake it for Keeps

38

HALLIE

The champagne bubbles fizzed pleasantly in my bloodstream as the limo pulled up to my family’s beach house. Through the tinted windows, I could see lights twinkling everywhere. More lights than should have been possible on this old, worn-down house.

“Oh my god,” I breathed.

My mother leaned over me to look out the window. “What did he do?” Her question was full of wonder.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I have no idea what my future husband has gotten up to.”

“I do,” Hallie said with a bright smile. “He’s giving you a fairytale wedding.”

“I’m so jealous!” April exclaimed.

The driver opened the door. I stepped out into the cold February afternoon, my mother and best friends right behind me. We were all bundled in heavy coats over our various states of wedding-day preparation, our hair and makeup already done but our regular clothes still on.

I looked up at the house, and tears immediately blurred my vision. It was magical.

Lights were strung everywhere. Wrapped around the porch railings, hanging from the eaves, creating a canopy of warmth and sparkle against the gray winter sky. And beyond the house, I could see the edges of what looked like glass structures extending toward the beach.

“What did he do?” I whispered my mother’s exact question.

“Made your dreams come true,” April said, squeezing my arm. “Come on. We have to get you upstairs before you see the ceremony space. Colt’s orders.”

I so wanted to go out back and see what he did, but I also didn’t want to ruin his surprise. Since we got back to Manhattan, he’d been on the phone around the clock putting everything together. I barely saw him the past two days.

We rushed inside through the side entrance, and I was immediately ushered up the narrow staircase to the second floor. My mother led the way to the master bedroom, my parents’ old room, and when she opened the door, I gasped.

My wedding dress hung on the closet door, catching the light from the window. Not the elaborate gown from before, but the one I’d picked out two days ago with Colt in a frantic shopping trip to the city. Simple, elegant, perfect.

Frankie had sent over some options from designers that could get a dress ready for me within forty-eight hours. I thought about wearing the original gown, but it felt wrong. Cursed. I didn’t pick it out and it was just so much. So not me.

Frankie agreed. Thankfully, she wasn’t angry with me, but I did want to talk with her when we got the chance. Just me and her. She was going to be my sister. I didn’t want any hard feelings. I owed her an apology. I wanted to make sure she understood I would love her brother with my whole heart and I’d stab anyone that dared hurt him. I would never betray him. Ever.

“Time to get you dressed,” Mom said, her voice thick with emotion.

She’d been weepy all day. I knew this was hard for her. My father should be here. He should get to see me in my wedding gown. Meeting my husband. Sharing in the joy with us.

The next hour was a blur of laughter and tears and champagne. Hallie and April helped me into my dress, their hands gentle as they fastened the dozens of tiny buttons up my back. Mom fussed with my hair, making sure every strand was perfect. They all stood back when I was finally ready. I saw their reactions in real time.

“Holy shit,” Hallie said.

“Language,” my mother chided, but she was crying.

“You look like a princess,” April whispered.

I turned to look at myself in the mirror and hardly recognized the woman staring back. The dress hugged my curves in all the right ways. My hair fell in loose waves around my shoulders. My makeup was natural but glowing.

I looked happy. I looked like me. Not the person I was pretending to be to make the people scrutinizing Colt believe we were the real thing. I didn’t have to act or pretend. I was finally allowed to be the basic bitch I was at heart.

That’s who Colt loved.

“So,” Hallie said with a mischievous grin. “Now that you’re marrying a billionaire, what’s on the Christmas gift list for next year?”

I laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “Oh god, what do you want?”

“A car,” Hallie said immediately.