Rocco and Mandy: A Red Team Wedding Novella (Book #6.5) (13 page)

Ivy swiped around some screens as she searched for pictures of wedding cakes. Mandy looked at the five women who were intent on helping her plan her wedding. Nothing she could have done on her own would be as nice as what they collectively could come up with. “Thank you for helping me. I’d be lost without you.” She shook her head. “You have no idea.”

“Of course we’re helping you,” Eden said. “You guys helped me with mine!”

“I think we have this down to a science,” Fiona said.

“How many weddings have you done together?” Remi asked.

“This is our third,” Fiona said. “And we may have a fourth soon.”

Mandy smiled as her friends exclaimed over that news, feeling as if she were the luckiest woman around to have so many friends who’d become like sisters to her.

“I’ve been thinking about the kids during the ceremony,” Ivy said. “They don’t have the attention span to sit through a long, multi-course meal. I was thinking about having them be at the ceremony, of course, then maybe setting up their own party with a special dinner and a movie that they could watch in the theater room. With popcorn. I might even order a few cupcakes so that they don’t have to stay up until we serve your wedding cake. Casey can babysit Zavi—that way, Wynn can join us. Would that be all right with you?”

“Absolutely. They know they can pop in and see us during the evening. It’s a great solution. And it will give us an opportunity to get to know Wynn a little better.”

* * *

Val knocked on Ace’s door. He could have phoned, but that would have been a waste of an opportunity to see her in person. A shadow darkened the peephole. A second later, the door opened. Ace stood there, wearing a heavy metal tee, skinny jeans, and her vamp boots.
 

He smiled. “Hi.”

She didn’t smile back. “Val. S’up?”

He leaned against the doorjamb, resigned to the fact that she wasn’t going to invite him inside. He tucked his hands in his pockets and made an involuntary sigh. “A friend’s getting married tomorrow. I need a date.”

She released the door and folded her arms. “Really? You can’t attend solo?”

“I don’t want to. Maybe you could bring your camera, and, I don’t know, take pictures.”

“No one else in this town you could get for your plus-one?”

“No one else I want as my plus-one.” He shrugged. “If you don’t want to, I’ll go alone.” He looked into her eyes, those frosty green orbs. “I’m tired of solo, Ace. I’m not a solo kind of guy.” She was close enough that he could reach for her, pull her close, kiss her. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Pale pink gloss made it shimmer. Her top lip had two pointy peaks. Her lower lip was nicely rounded. He wondered what they’d feel like against his.

“What’s the dress code?” Ace’s voice was barely a whisper. It was only the two of them in the area; there was no need for quiet voices. A shiver slipped over Val’s skin as her soft voice wrapped around the two of them.

“Show me your wardrobe. I’ll pick something.”

“I’m quite capable of dressing myself.”

“True. But it’s more fun if I dress you.”

Her lips twitched as if she fought a smile. “The dress code?”

He shrugged. “Fancy, not formal. Dress like you would for an evening at a restaurant or theater.”

She looked up at him. Was it his imagination, or did she lean toward him just slightly? Enough for her magnetic pull to work on him. He leaned in. “Is it going to be theatrical?”

He had to replay her question in his mind before answering. With Rocco, theatrics were very likely. “Possibly.”

She smiled. “Am I allowed to bring my camera into your secret fishing cabin?”

She smelled spicy and floral, like orchids, roses, and patchouli, her scent heated and changed by the chemistry of her skin. He wanted to peel her clothes away and breathe her bare skin. “It’s not a fucking cabin.” He looked at the side of her neck as he spoke.

“No? I thought you were here for a fishing retreat.”

He lifted his gaze to her eyes, shocked to realize he was now only inches from her. “Are you coming or not?”

One corner of her lush mouth lifted. “What time?”

What time? Now. He wanted her right now. “Um. Four, I guess, or earlier. And yeah, bring your camera.”

She nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“You know where we live?”

“Yes.”

His eyes caught hers and held them for a long second before he nodded. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow at four.”

“Fancy, not formal.”

“Right.”

“Bye, Val.”
 

She bit her lip. His gaze snagged on the part her teeth pinched. He couldn’t speak, so he just pivoted and went to the stairs.

Mandy slowly surfaced from a deep sleep the morning of her wedding. She looked over to Rocco’s side of the bed, but he was already up and gone. She stretched, smiling as she thought of their last few nights together. He’d stayed present. They’d talked about their dreams, hopes, goals. They’d talked about the kids they had and would have. Having a dream to share with someone was the one thing, the only thing, Mandy had ever wanted from Rocco.

Her bedroom door opened and Zavi ran inside. He jumped on the bed and gave her a big hug, holding a white rose in his fist the whole time. She lifted the covers and offered him a snuggle, but he shook his head.
 

“No, Mom. I’m already dressed. See? Papa and I brought you a surprise.”

She hugged him again. “Did you? What is it?”

“Breakfast!” Rocco said as he came in carrying a tray loaded with steel-covered dishes and three plates. He set it on the small table on the other side of her room. Zavi scrambled off the bed and took one of the seats. Rocco smiled at her. “I thought we could have breakfast together, just the three of us, before this day erupts, and I don’t get to see you again until evening.”

“That was some good thinking, Rocco Silas.” She threw off the covers then got out of bed. She kissed him lightly on the lips. “Give me just a second.”

He didn’t let her go. “I’ll give you a lifetime.” His eyes were somber. “I can’t wait until you’re Mrs. Silas.”

“I can’t wait either.” She smiled up at him. “But the baby really needs to potty.”

He chuckled and let her go. When she came back into the room, breakfast had been spread out on the table. Zavi was sitting correctly in his seat, impatiently waiting to start. She kissed his head and took a seat next to him, across from Rocco at the little round table.

Zavi started to reach for some scrambled eggs, but Rocco stopped him with a frown.
 

“Gentlemen wait for ladies to go first.”

Zavi’s brows knitted. Mandy laughed and filled his plate. “And moms feed their starving children first.”

Zavi watched her load up his plate. He looked at Rocco. “I’m glad we’re getting a mom, Papa. I knew if I started calling her Mom, she’d be ours for real.”

Rocco nodded, a little smile touching the corners of his mouth. “Well played, son. Well played.”

Mandy was so filled with happiness that she thought the extra joy had to be spilling over somewhere. They ate and joked and talked about the coming day. She noticed Zavi kept eyeing one more dish that Rocco hadn’t uncovered. She assumed he’d brought a breakfast dessert of some sort.
 

“Now, Papa?” Zavi asked after Rocco had collected their dishes and stacked them back on the tray.

“Now.” He reached over and lifted the lid. Inside was a pink envelope and a rectangular box in silver foil wrapping. He handed her the envelope first. “It’s Ivy’s schedule for the day. Don’t let it stress you.”
 

Mandy shook her head. The past few days had been so busy, they’d mostly been a blur. It was a great help to have all the details laid out in one place for her. It only listed the things she needed to do, not all the tasks happening in the background to make her and Rocco’s wedding a special event.

She looked up at Rocco, surprised by one of the entries. “I have a massage this morning?”

“I thought it might help you relax. After that, it’s a whirlwind.”

Mandy stood up and leaned over the table, meeting Rocco halfway for a kiss. “Thank you.”

Zavi knelt on his seat. “Casey and I are getting a pizza all for ourselves, and we get to watch a movie in the big movie room.”

“That sounds very special. Of course, you’ll be standing with Papa at the ceremony.”
 

He nodded. “I know. Then we can keep you.”

Mandy hugged him as she smiled at Rocco.
 

“One more thing.” Rocco handed her the wrapped box.
 

She sent him a questioning look as she ripped the paper. Zavi looked as if he was about to reach over and help her. She handed him the paper then opened the flat, hinged box. Inside was a string of pearls that had a large turquoise pendant. The pendant was wrapped in thin-gauge strips of a white metal that were twisted and knotted by a craftsman, making the piece a tiny sculpture. A pair of matching pearl and turquoise earrings were included in the set.

“This is gorgeous!”

Rocco smiled, visibly relieved that she liked it. “I had a local jeweler make it for you.”

“When did you have time to do this?”

“A while ago. I’ve known for a long time we were going to get married.”

Mandy met him halfway around the table for a hug and a kiss. “I love these. They’ll go perfectly with my dress.”

Rocco hugged her, then lifted the tray and started for the door. “Wynn’s got Zavi today. She’ll get him ready for the ceremony.”

“Have her get him dressed
after
he eats.”

“Good point. Will do.”

Mandy knelt down to hug Zavi, too. “Be good for Miss Wynn. I’m not going to see much of you today until later.”

“Why?”

“Because I have so much to do to get ready. And I can’t see Papa until the ceremony.”

“Why?”

Mandy gave him a little shrug. “To make it special.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll make sure Casey doesn’t bother you either.”

“Neither of you ever bother me. But I agree, it’s a good idea to keep yourselves busy today.” She hugged him, gave Rocco a kiss on his cheek, then held the door for them.

“I love you,” he said, looking back at her. “If it’s too much, come get me and we’ll elope.”

“No can do, Rocco. Eloping’s not on Ivy’s schedule.”

* * *

Owen went down the hall to the south bedroom wing upstairs. Greer, Remi, and Val were in the sitting room drinking wine.
 

“Hey, O. Can I pour you a glass?” Val asked.

“No, thank you.”

Greer stood. “Something up?”

Owen glanced from Greer to Remi. “I’ve come to ask a favor. Of Remi.”

“Sure.” Remi smiled.

“I need you to do a read on Ace.”

Remi’s brow lifted. “What kind of read?”

Owen pulled a paper from his chest pocket and handed it to her. “I’ve made a change to Ivy’s seating plan for dinner. Ace will be sitting on my right. You’ll be sitting on my left. I would like to hear your impressions of her after the wedding.”

“Shit, O,” Val grumbled. He took the seating chart from Remi and looked it over. “Is that really necessary?” His blue gaze met Owen’s. “Or do you not trust me any longer?”

“I trust you. I don’t trust Ace. Remi’s been trained to read people. She studies them for a living.”

“With all due respect, Owen,” Remi said, “I may not be of much help to you. It isn’t easy getting an in-depth read of a person in just a couple of hours at an event like Mandy’s wedding.”

“Do your best. Stay aware.”

“I will.”

* * *

Mandy took a last look in the mirror. She’d decided to go with a western look. She and Ivy had worked with Val’s friend, who owned the bridal shop in Denver that Ivy had used. She’d selected a sleeveless dress that had a white-on-white embroidered bodice and a white tulle skirt. The skirt flared out in several layers, ending just above her knees. She picked a new pair of cowboy boots, a thick brown belt, and jean jacket to tie everything together.
 

Val had sent over a couple of ladies from the salon in town to do hair and nails for all the girls. Even Selena and Wynn. Mandy’s hair was in a complicated updo of multiple braids twisted together at the back of her head. Tiny white bud roses and pink baby’s-breath flowers were woven into the style. The necklace Rocco gave her matched the turquoise accents on her boots.
 

Ivy was standing beside her. Mandy looked at her friend, thinking how far they’d both come in the time since they reconnected after high school. Ivy gave her a smile and a quick hug. “Are you ready?”

Mandy felt a nervous twist in her stomach. She nodded.
 

“Good, because everyone’s ready downstairs, too.” She looked at her watch. “I asked Owen to come up at five minutes before six.” She went to open the door and found him pacing in the sitting room. “She’s all yours. Oh, wait.” She hurried back inside Mandy’s room and grabbed a few tissues from the box in her bathroom. She handed them to Owen. “Just in case.”

He nodded as he tucked them into his pocket. “I
am
feeling oddly emotional.”

“They’re not for you.” Ivy laughed. “They’re for Mandy. You have to keep it together. She’s counting on you.”

He laughed. “See you downstairs.” When she was gone, he smiled at Mandy. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you, Owen.”

“Are you ready for this?”

Mandy nodded. “I am. I have been for a long time. I’m so glad Rocco’s ready, too.”

Owen held the door for her. “He’s had a long road to healing. I think the two of you make a great couple.” He held his arm out for her.

She took it, glad for the support. “Thank you, Owen.”

They went down the hall. Her hand tightened on Owen’s arm as they went down the steps. She moved faster than Owen once they began crossing the living room.
 

He slowed her down. “Let’s make Rocco wait. Let the anticipation build.”

Mandy smiled up at him. “I just want to run in there and say ‘I do’!”

Owen laughed. “Soon enough.”

Mandy and Owen reached the French doors just as Kit walked Ivy down the aisle to her place at the front. Zavi looked back and saw her. “Mom!” He tilted the ring pillow as he ran to her. Mandy bent down and gave him a hug, then righted his pillow and sent him on his way. He smiled and waved at Rocco as he walked between the two narrow rows of seats. Once he stood beside Rocco, Casey, wearing a sundress with a lightweight cream shawl, went down the aisle next, tossing out peach rose petals.