The Soul Mate (Roommates, # 4)

Bren

“Shoes or no shoes?” I stared down at the glittery gold sandals that had seemed perfect at the department store, but now felt like overkill.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

“Whatever you’ll be most comfortable in,” Mandy said. “It is the beach after all.”

“Barefoot it is.” I kicked the sandals to the side and grabbed my bouquet from the dresser.

The white lace dress was fitted all the way down to my thighs, where it then jutted out just slightly. I’d known it was the one from the first moment I saw it in the store. Mandy’s bridesmaid dress was seafoam green and looked beautiful on her.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

I nodded, suddenly more eager than excited. “Let’s do this.”

“You good if I go out for a minute and check if everything is ready?” Mandy asked.

I nodded, glancing in the mirror one last time. “I’m good.”

And I was. My heart was full and happy, and I felt incredibly blessed.

Mandy stepped out and I applied one last coat of lipstick, inspecting my reflection while trying to wait patiently, and failing miserably.

“Bren?” Mason’s deep voice called. He stepped through the door, looking delicious and handsome in his camel-colored linen suit and pale blue shirt. My heart throbbed with love for the man about to become my husband. If I allowed my mind to drift back to how we almost didn’t make it here…I shook my head. Not today. Today was going to be the best day of my life. No uncomfortable memories and no regrets. Well, maybe just one regret. My incredible dad wouldn’t be here to walk me down the aisle toward my future.

“What are you doing here? It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

He shook his head, a smile tugging up his lips. “You look so beautiful, Bren. And I told you, there’s no such thing as bad luck with us. Soul mates, right?”

He crossed the room toward me and drew me into his arms.

A happy smile overtook my mouth. He’d told me that when he proposed the second time. It was an overly romantic affair, one that had me crying and sobbing yes, over and over. Especially when he slid the stunning ring onto my finger.

“Well, what are you doing in here, darling soul mate? Did you need something?”

His eyes darkened. “Just wanted to see you before all the commotion started. Everyone says their wedding day goes by too fast. I don’t want to look back on this day and have it be a blur. I want to remember every second I can get with you.”

My heart jumped in my chest at his sweet words, and those stolen moments together took on new meaning. He didn’t have something important to tell me. He just wanted to see me.

“I can’t wait ’til everyone’s gone.” He chuckled, pulling me in close.

“That’s awful! They all just got here.” We’d rented the same house we had last time we were here on Grand Cayman, only this time we also rented the house next door.

“I know, and I’m already looking forward to them leaving in a few days so I can have you all to myself.”

I pressed a small kiss to his mouth. “I love you.”

“Love you more,” he murmured. It was his standard answer ever since we became so open with our declarations. And even though it still felt a little strange for me to be so forthcoming, it also felt…good. Right.

Mason had opened me up, and under his unending love and gentle pressure, I’d blossomed. I was no longer afraid to love, no longer afraid to live. We got only one shot at life, and I wasn’t going to waste it anymore. Our close call with the pregnancy really opened up my eyes to a lot of things.

“I can’t wait until we move in together,” he added.

I’d dug my heels in and kept my own apartment, opting to keep living apart until we were married. We’d bought a house together last month and Mason had been living there alone, fixing it up. But I wanted something else to look forward to after the wedding. The truth was, I couldn’t wait to move in.

“We have a lifetime together,” I told him, stroking the stubble on his jaw. “Now shoo. Go. We have a wedding to attend.” I gave his chest a pat and led him to the door.

“See you out there, Mrs. Bentley.”

My mouth curled into a grin. “See you soon, Dr. Bentley.”