Unraveled (Holding On Book 3) (27 page)

“Jesse,” she said sternly, “you aren’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”

He began to edge into the room, regardless.

Carly beamed at him and he grinned back.

“We’ve never really followed the rules,” he said unapologetically. “Why start now?”

Quinn didn’t even try to argue his point. She glanced over her shoulder at Carly. With a giddy smile she said, “I guess I’ll give you two a little bit of privacy. But don’t be too long. The ceremony is supposed to start in less than
ten minutes.” With that small warning, she disappeared, pulling the door closed behind her.

Jesse quickly crossed the room to Carly, pulling her into his arms.

As handsome as he looked in his black tux with crimson bowtie, she couldn’t wait for later tonight, when she could get him out of them.

“How are you doing?” he asked as he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’ve never been better,” she honestly replied.

“Are you nervous?”

She shook her head and laughed. “Not even a little. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”

He relaxed his embrace a little, settling one hand on her stomach.
“Me too.”

A rapid succession of knocking burst forth from the other side of the door. “Carly? Carly, are you in there?” Margo trilled from the hallway. “
We might have a problem! The groom seems to be missing!”

Jesse scowled but his eyes were twinkling with amusement. “Is it just me, or does she sound excited by that?”

Carly sighed. “If you go missing, she would be the center of attention at the next ladies luncheon. Everyone would be offering her fake sympathy if her daughter was jilted at the aisle. So yes, you probably hear some excitement.”

“Well, I guess she’s about to be disappointed then,” he told Carly. More loudly he said,
“I’m not missing, Margo. We’ll be out in a moment.”

“
Jesse
? You are
not
—”

Margo’s words were cut off by Pete.
“For the love of all that is holy, woman! Would you just give them a moment of peace?”

They could hear minor scuffling out in the hallway. Carly was sure that her dad was leading his frustrated wife away. She would have to remember to thank him for that later.

“This is it,” Jesse said with a teasing smile. “This is your last chance to back out. Are you sure you’re ready to become my wife?”

Carly pulled him in close. “I swear to you, I have never been more ready for anything.”

She leaned into him. Her heels made her nearly the same height, and her arms looped around his neck. With a small sigh of contentment, she ran her hand through his hair, not caring one bit that she was rumpling it right before their big event. She slid one hand to the back of his neck and brought his mouth down on hers as she sealed that promise with a kiss.