Page 324 of Manhattan Bossholes

“I love you both very much,” Dee said. “And as soon as I’m up and well enough, we’re going wedding dress shopping.”

“Dee, I told you not to rush her,” I grumbled gently.

She waved me off as a pair of porters came in to wheel Dee away. “These things take time,” she called over her shoulder. “Trust me! A woman needs time to choose!”

I glanced over at Natasha, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I think dress shopping is a good idea,” she said.

That was news to me. “Have you decided on a date then?”

Natasha’s grin widened. “I might have.”

A bud of hope bloomed inside my chest. “Are you going to tell me?”

“Later,” she said softly. “We have time.”

“We do,” I agreed. All the time in the world. Because I had Natasha now, and as much as I’d become her safety net, she’d become mine. So whatever happened next, however difficult, we would make it through. Together.

32

TRENT

One Year Later

“Ilook damn good,” Aiden said, strutting over to me while adjusting his cufflinks. I arched a brow, grumbling under my breath as he nudged me, laughing. “Don’t give me that face. You look pretty all right too. For the groom.” He dusted non-existent lint off both my shoulders as we stood in front of the gathered crowd inside the drawing room of Gracie Mansion—Natasha’s chosen ceremony space. She’d fallen in love with the rich wood paneling, antique furnishings, and warm, elegant atmosphere.

“Who knew you cleaned up so well?” Vincent agreed. He waved out at the seated crowd, where a friend was currently holding Violet, keeping her entertained since both of her parents were in the wedding party.

“I mean it, dude,” Aiden said. “Natasha’s not gonna know what hit her.”

I took a deep breath, staring out across the room. Friends. Family. Business acquaintances. Some of these people were practically strangers, and they were about to watch me on the most important day of my life.

“Holding it together?” Dominic asked, nudging me.

“Not sure,” I admitted. Was I supposed to feel like I’d taken seven shots of espresso?

“Pre-wedding jitters,” Paul whispered. “Completely normal.”

I winced, not sure that was true. I’d never been so nervous in my entire life. Not when we’d pitched BeautiTool to investors. Not even the first time I had to sit in on a Saunders board meeting in the middle of ousting my parents. I actually don’t think I’d ever truly understood what nerves were.

It felt like there were birds trapped in my gut. And they wanted out.

“Seriously, though,” Vincent said. “When I did this with Piper, I was pretty sure I was going to pass out.”

“Oh, God. Same,” Aiden said. “But the second I saw Cora coming down the aisle toward me, everything else just disappeared.”

What I wanted most right now was for Natasha to be in my arms, to feel the tickle of her breath on my neck and her hair against my chin. My nerves racketed up another level as Jimmy came hurrying through a side door, wearing a giant grin—I’d never seen the kid so damn happy.

“All right, best man,” Aiden said, giving Jimmy’s shoulder a shake. “How’re we looking?”

“All good. Everyone’s in place.”

I let out a shuddering breath. “Guess it’s time.”

Jimmy nodded, giving me a tiny shove as if to say, No turning back now. And I had no intention of it. I wanted to run ahead, into the future with Natasha by my side.

Summoning all of my cool, calm, and collected, I straightened up, taking my place in the middle of the small platform that had been erected for the ceremony. Jimmy and the Lost Boys lined up beside me, the best friends—the best brothers—I could have ever asked for. A swell of music started, drawing everyone’s attention to the back of the room as a set of double doors opened, welcoming the rest of the wedding party.

A chorus of ooohs sounded as Hailey made her way down the aisle in a dress Stacy had designed, layered in soft white lace and pearls and a skirt so poofy I don’t know how she walked in it. She tossed flower petals, taking her job very seriously judging by the tiny line of concentration in the middle of her brow.