Engaged in Embellishments: Tulle and Tulips, Book 5.5 Read Online Free PDF

in her tone when she’d told them the story, and it was clear her father felt the same way.
    Lori sniffed away a tear. She didn’t think often about the parents she’d lived most of her life without. Hearing Darci’s dad say he was ready to see her commit her life to Vic… It was beautiful, and it made her wish she had parents who cared as deeply.
    “Great. Everyone’s ready,” Sheree ordered. “There’s a man getting anxious inside.”
    Maybe more than one, Lori thought. Darci stepped out of view of the crowd inside. The rest of the women lined up in their pre-designated order.
    Sheree opened the doors, the music inside began and on cue the women moved one at a time to the doors. Just inside, the groomsmen, mostly Vic’s college mates, stepped forward one by one to take the arm of the woman he was escorting.
    Burton escorted Leigh, who looked anything but proper when she looked at him.
    Jace escorted Misty, who curled her fingers into the hook that had replaced his missing hand.
    Tabatha was escorted by Danny, who smiled despite having had to exchange volleyball shorts and bare feet for a tuxedo and dress shoes.
    Trevor stepped forward and offered his arm for Lori. Every step down the aisle had her wishing this day were hers.
    Stepping away from Trevor at the altar was a division she didn’t appreciate. She’d spent a lot of the night wallowing in the loneliness she used to live daily. She never wanted to feel it again.
    Gisella was escorted by Kyle, a local cop Vic had known since high school.
    Lindy, serving as Darci’s matron of honor, walked down the aisle with her husband, who was Vic’s best man. Then it was time for the bride to enter.
    The music changed. The crowd stood. Vic shifted his gaze to the back of the aisle. Darci stepped into view and became the pinnacle of embellishments for the wedding. She was the glow in the midst of Groot’s protective surroundings. Joy in its purest form illuminated Vic’s face as he watched his bride move toward him.
    Lori looked at Trevor, who watched her instead of the bride. His smile was bright and his eyes were happy, but a sadness lingered. A sadness she knew how to banish.
    With Groot the dog sitting at Vic’s side at the edge of the wedding arch that had the yellow glimmers of hope shining, Lori listened to her friends pledge themselves to each other. The tears and chuckles they shared as they read their vows, saying, “We are Groot” instead of “I do”, echoed in her heart. Her gaze never strayed from Trevor. His never strayed from her.
    What seemed like a moment later, the room erupted in cheers as Darci and Vic kissed. The procession down the aisle, the wedding pictures and moving to the reception space was a blur of hugs and kisses, laughs and flashes. Through it all, Lori choked down the jealously that she wasn’t the bride with her groom beaming at her. She’d never been jealous of a bride before. That alone was sign enough that the time had come for a change.
    He sent her questioning looks but said nothing as he wrapped his arm around her or brushed a finger along her cheek. After dinner had been served and the cake cut, after the couple had their first dance together and danced with their parents, and after she’d entertained and mingled with the guests to help make sure everyone was having a great time, Lori sank into a chair and sighed at the relief of being off her feet.
    “You okay?” Trevor asked, sitting beside her and moving his chair close enough to be touching. “You seem distracted.”
    “I’m good.” A slow song about believing began. Aleshia met Lori’s gaze across the room and nodded toward the floor. Taking the hint, Lori looked at Trevor. “Want to dance?”
    “Only if it’s with you.”
    “That was my plan.”
    He led her to the floor and pulled her close. They’d danced often at business parties he’d escorted her to. She’d quickly identified him as a distraction that could get in the way of her mission. She’d