Perfectly Wedded (Perfect Crush #1)

25. Vale

TWENTY-FIVE

Vale

I ’m still floating from last night. That last kiss by the waterfall—along with everything that was said and left unsaid—made me never want to leave paradise. But our obscenely early morning alarm clock for the airport ripped away that dream like a cruel joke.

No more waterfall kisses or snorkeling adventures. Time to head back to reality, one that feels more like whiplash than a gentle reentry to life together.

Not only do we have a wedding ceremony and reception to finish planning, we also have to prepare for The Star Report ’s full coverage of the event. And because things have been so busy, I haven’t even mentioned my hockey contract and the no-movement clause—something I was waiting to tell Sloan once things had settled down.

Even now, I can tell Sloan’s already nervous about the wedding, because her leg keeps bouncing up and down the entire plane trip home.

I lay a hand on her knee. She looks down at it and gives me an apologetic wince. “Sorry.”

“Tell me what’s bothering you,” I say, keeping my hand there .

“Nothing’s bothering me,” she says, her smile tense.

I don’t buy it. “Is it all the wedding prep when we get back? Is it The Star Report ’s coverage of our big day?”

“Neither,” she says. Then she looks down the aisle at Brax and Jaz in the back of the plane. “Except for the part about the whole world seeing our pictures after The Star Report publishes it. I could do without that part.”

“Sloan, we can cancel the contract with them if it bothers you.”

“No!” she says. “If we don’t go through with it, you know the reporters will show up on our doorstep. This limits who gets in. It’s the better option.”

She bites a nail.

“What else are you nervous about?”

She lets out a sigh, glances over her shoulder again. “Dad texted Jaz when we were in Cancun. Apparently, he tried to stop by. Which means he could still be there.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why is that a problem?”

“I was hoping we’d have some time before everyone arrived for our wedding. Time to get used to us. I don’t need my dad getting in the way of our big day. Because wherever he goes, he brings the stress level up a thousand notches.”

“Hey,” I say, turning her face to mine. “That’s not going to happen. I will keep things under control. There will be plenty of time for us. And if you feel pressure, I’m here to help you. Just tell me what you need.”

She shakes her head. “It’s not just that. My dad and Jaz have never gotten along. He lied to us a long time ago, and she’s never forgiven him. It’s tense between them.”

“How does that involve you?”

“Because she hates lying.” Then she lowers her voice. “And I kept the truth from her. About us.”

“Do you want me to talk to her?” I say. “I’ll take the blame for it. I’m the one who suggested it. ”

“I won’t let you,” she warns. “Even if we tried that, she’d see right through it. I need to do it. Before our wedding.”

I get the feeling this is some sisterly thing between Sloan and Jaz that I can’t fix for her. Sloan is notorious for feeling incredibly guilty for hiding anything. She’s got a terrible poker face, which is why pretending to be married to me was so hard for her. She’s one of those people who couldn’t lie to save her life.

“Sloan, if you tell her what happened and how we’re in love with each other now, how could she hold it against you?”

“Because I wasn’t honest with her when I should’ve been,” she says. “I could’ve told her in Vegas. I had the chance to. I was just afraid...”

“Of what?”

“Of her talking me out of it.” Sloan closes her eyes and rests her head on the back of her seat. “I was rash. Just like I always am. She would’ve told me that.”

“For what it’s worth, you actually said no to me at first. If anyone was rash, it was me. I was the one who pressured you.” I wait a beat. “There’s always another option, you know.”

She opens her eyes. “What’s that?”

“Not telling her. What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her.”

“That’s what I did in Vegas, and look where I am now.” She shakes her head. “Lying is the one thing she won’t tolerate. When she talks about our father, she gets this look of disgust on her face. And I feel so guilty because I know I’m no better than him.”

I take her hand in mine and squeeze it.

“You are better than him,” I remind her. “Because you’re choosing to stay.”

As soon as we walk in the front door, Leo and Tate crowd around us, their faces hiding something.

“Welcome home!” Tate says .

“Why are you blocking our way?” Brax asks, looking between them.

“We have company,” Leo says.

My sister jumps out from the living room. “Surprise!”

“Mia?” I step toward her, giving her a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for the wedding prep.”

“Alone?”

“No, I brought Mom too.”

Mom walks out from the living room. “You’re looking tan and happy,” she says, giving me a hug before she wraps an arm around Sloan too.

“This is unexpected,” I say, looking between them. “And early. Like, two weeks early.”

“This is my last child’s wedding,” she says, pinching my cheek like I’m five. It’s almost like she forgets I tower over her now. “And I know Sloan and Jaz don’t have their mom around to help. So I’m glad to fill in, in any way I can.”

“I thought you were kidding when you said you might stop by to help me with the wedding prep,” Jaz says.

Mia hooks an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “You know how I like to plan big events. And I couldn’t stay away.”

“Where’s Jace?” I ask, looking around the corner for my sister’s famous country music star husband.

“He’s using the time to write new songs. Says the peace and quiet will force him to work. Don’t worry, he’ll be here for the big day.”

“Mom, are you sure you’re up for this?” I ask, taking her arm and walking her to the dining room. “I thought you weren’t feeling well.” Mom’s back pain has gotten worse over the last year, and I was worried she might not be able to stand the plane ride here for the wedding. But even more concerning is how she’s going to get along now that Brax and I aren’t close by. Mia is the only one who lives in Vermont and part of me feels guilty for moving so far away for my career .

“Stop fussing over me.” She waves me off. “Now that I finally retired, I have so much time on my hands. I might have missed your wedding in Vegas, but I will not miss this one.”

“Tate offered us your old bedroom,” Mia says. “Hope that’s okay?”

“You’re staying here?” Sloan asks, her eyebrows flying up.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” Mia asks.

“Not at all,” I say, grabbing Sloan’s hand. I know what she’s thinking. She was hoping we’d have time together before everyone arrived for the wedding. Now we’re going to adjust our plans to include having guests in the house, which won’t make it easy to talk to Jaz about what really happened in Vegas.

“No one else is here to surprise us, right?” Sloan asks, her eyes flicking from the living room to the dining room. She’s probably expecting her dad to jump out next, but the rest of the house is strangely quiet.

“Your dad left yesterday when Vale’s family showed up,” Tate says. “I think he realized we had a full house.”

Sloan looks at her sister and a look passes between them.

“He said he might be back sometime,” Tate adds. “He wasn’t specific.”

“He never is,” Jaz mutters. “It’s his usual excuse. I’ll be back. Yada, yada, yada. Then he shows up two years too late.” She pulls her computer from her carry-on, ready to forget everything related to her father. “Why don’t we start working through wedding prep tonight? I even have color-coded spreadsheets!”

“Perfect!” Mia says. “You know how I love my rainbow-colored spreadsheets.”

“Those two are way too similar,” Sloan whispers to me.

“Be glad they’re doing everything for you,” I remind her. “They want your wedding to be spectacular. Just like you.” I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss the side of her head.

“You’re all too good to me,” she murmurs. “I suppose I should pay them in brownies.”

“I won’t say no to brownies,” I say .

She looks at my mom, who’s sitting at the dining room table. “Does he ever stop eating?”

Mom shakes her head. “Never.”

The women settle at the dining room table as Sloan opens a brownie mix and gets out the eggs.

“You don’t want to be in there helping them make plans for your wedding?” I ask with a frown.

“It’s just a wedding renewal ceremony,” she says, cracking eggs into a bowl.

“For me it’s not a renewal,” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist. I move my lips close to her ear. “I’m considering this the real deal, Sloan. Not what we had in Vegas.”

She shakes her head. “But I don’t need all this. ”

I know what she’s thinking because I can see the doubt in her eyes. She hasn’t told the truth about our first wedding, so she doesn’t deserve this big celebration.

“That’s not the way it works,” I say, clamping my hand on hers to stop her from avoiding this conversation.

“What do you want, Vale?” She spins to look at me, and I can see the fear in her eyes, the doubts swirling there. She’s afraid the other shoe will drop. Something will go wrong. Someone will find out about us. Everything will fall apart.

I take her hands in mine and bring them to my lips. “Sloan, we are getting married, no matter what happens. Just because we did things backward doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a fancy party and all the extras. And even though you’re afraid it doesn’t mean that anything is going to go wrong. If I’m marrying you in front of God and everyone, we’re going to do it right this time.”

“Sloan, are you coming?” her sister calls from the other room. “We need your opinion on the entertainment.”

“See what I have to put up with,” she says. “So bossy.”

“Kind of like another girl I know,” I say with a smirk.

She hides a grin. “You’re not going to let me get out of this, are you? ”

“Absolutely not,” I say. “So let me put the brownies in the oven for you, and you go plan your dream wedding.”

Sloan heads to the dining room as I slide the brownies into the oven and set a timer.

“I don’t need any entertainment,” Sloan announces as soon as she sits down.

Jaz scoffs. “You have to. The Star Report expects you and Vale to have a first dance for their photography list. They’ve already requested it.”

“Photography list?” Sloan asks. She rubs her forehead. I can tell she’s not pleased by this at all.

Mia nods. “You definitely need a DJ because I want to dance. And Vale needs to dance with Mom. Right, Mom?”

“I would love that,” Mom says, looking up at me as I stand next to Sloan’s chair.

“I thought we were keeping this small,” Sloan says, looking over Jaz’s shoulder at her list.

“ The Star Report expects this event to be a big deal. And you said you wanted your dream wedding.”

“I didn’t say my dream wedding would be a ridiculously over-the-top affair,” she says.

She is already nervous about the wedding. Having The Star Report there only adds to the stress. I get why Jaz wants them there—it’s great press for me and the team and will restrict other media outlets from crashing our wedding.

“How about food?” Jaz presses. “I’m thinking something really bougie. Elaborate charcuterie boards, a full buffet, a lavish dessert bar.”

“I love that idea,” Mia agrees before turning to Sloan. “What are you wearing for the wedding?”

Sloan looks at me. “I guess the gown from my gala. It’s what I wore in Vegas.”

Jaz leans over to Mia and whispers something, and Mia nods.

“What are you two talking about?” Sloan asks .

“You need a wedding dress,” Jaz says. “We’re taking you shopping tomorrow.”

Sloan looks almost panicked now. “Definitely not.” She wheels around toward the kitchen, not wanting to have this conversation.

“You can’t say no,” Jaz says. “Because I’ve already decided. Tomorrow you will say yes to the dress.”

Sloan looks at me. “This is all your fault.”

I laugh. “I told you before. My wife deserves the best.”