Page 43 of Loving Her Enemy

Bristol gave her a squeeze. “You’ve been my sister since we were roommates back in college.”

Halayna smiled. “Yeah, but now it’ll be official. So let’s hurry up. I have a wedding to get to!”

Chapter Nineteen

Sloane stood under the wedding arch and released a shaky breath, surprised by his nervousness. Though he had once considered proposing to his ex-girlfriend, he never imagined himself having a wedding. Let alone actually getting married. It wasn’t something he’d ever really thought about in depth. Yet, he was glad he was experiencing this day with Halayna.

He glanced around, pleased with how everything came together. Even though it was a small gathering, he’d wanted it perfect. When Halayna finally agreed to marry him in Hawaii, and saw the property, she mentioned having the wedding at sunset.

Sloane had been determined to make that happen. Due to the tight timeline, it took some work to get additional lighting on that side of the property. Yet, they’d done it, and he liked the results.

Another small challenge had been making sure the media didn’t get wind of the wedding. Sloane had beefed up security to keep the wedding ceremony as private as possible, and they were strategically placed around the property.

Though Sloane trusted everyone he invited, they’d been asked to keep the day and time of the ceremony a secret, and to not share photos or information before or even after the wedding. At least not until he and Halayna announced their nuptials. He still needed to talk to her about that, and he was going to recommend they give a reporter friend an exclusive.

His paternal grandfather had always told him—you make sure you’re the one to control the narrative about your life.

Sloane hadn’t completely understood what his grandfather had been trying to teach him at the time. It wasn’t until Sloane had started dating a hotel heiress, and the media got wind of it, printing all types of nonsense, that he began to understand.

Since then, he tried to be mindful of what he said and did out in public. Then, whenever he wanted to share information with the world, he decided what media outlet to reach out to, who to talk to, or who to grant an interview with.

Sloane glanced at his watch and then at the house.

Okay, where is she?

The wedding was supposed to start ten minutes ago, and rarely was Halayna late. He didn’t think she’d change her mind, but he wouldn’t rest easy until they made their relationship official.

Sloane looked up to find Hershel watching him. He wasn’t sure what his friend saw on his face, but the big guy moved closer.

“You all right, man?”

They didn’t have a wedding party, and since the wedding was small and the ceremony would be short, they didn’t bother with chairs. The few people who’d been invited were standing on each side of the aisle waiting for Halayna to make her entrance.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Sloane said.

“Well, you look like you’re about to jump out of your skin. Do you want me to go and check on…”

Before Hershel could finish what he was saying, the accordion glass doors of the house opened, and Bristol hurried out onto the lanai. She was moving quickly toward him, and all of Sloane’s protective instincts went on high alert.

Had something happened? Where was Halayna?

He moved before he realized it, but Hershel grabbed his arm. “Hold up.”

Sloane stopped. That’s when he realized Bristol was just joining the rest of the guests.

Sloane swallowed hard and rubbed his hands together, willing himself to settle down. Why the heck was he so nervous? The wedding was just a formality, a part of his and Halayna’s contract agreement, but deep down, he knew it was so much more.

He’d been serious when he told her he was only getting married once. He just hadn’t realized how important the event would be for him. At least not until he started planning everything, wanting to make the day extra special for Halayna. But it was turning out to be a special moment for him too.

Sloane straightened and his heart rate amped when Halayna and Reece appeared on the lanai. She looked happy despite Sloane causing her to burst into tears earlier. He’d known giving her the locket would stir up some emotions but knowing she was missing her parents on her big day, he had to do something. Which was how he had come up with the idea of having her parents’ photos inserted into the locket.

He hated seeing her cry, but her heartfelt gratitude for the gift had been all he’d needed to know he’d done the right thing. Now she could carry them with her wherever she went.

Sloane turned his focus solely on Halayna when the band started playing, “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. They’d agreed it would be a nice song for her to walk in on, and now that Sloane was hearing it live, it had been a great choice.

As they got closer, his nerves wound tighter. Halayna was truly a vision in white. Even the brace on her hand was white.

How was it that she got more gorgeous with each passing day? Her hair and makeup had been as flawless as it had been before he’d given her the gift, and her dress was like nothing he had ever seen. The short, lace body-hugging garment had a white satin sash around the waist and a long flowy train that appeared to be made from tulle. Whatever it was, the outfit was absolutely stunning on her.