The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

Jules looks absolutely gorgeous sitting in her robe, sipping a glass of champagne while a makeup artist perfects her bridal look.

“Considering how hard we’ve partied the last couple of nights, we all look fantastic,” Efa says, putting her earrings in. They’re small diamond studs. Bennett is just as rich as all the rest of them, but it’s nice that she’s chosen such modest jewelry.

“You look fantastic because you’re thirteen,” Jules says.

“We are practically the same age,” she says.

Jules and I share a look. “The beginning of your twenties looks very different to the end,” Jules says to Efa.

“It does for you,” I say. “You’re off the market. About to be a married woman.”

“You’re next,” she says.

I smile. Worth and I haven’t spoken much about the wedding. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. It wasn’t like we were committing the rest of our lives to each other.

But the sex last night? I can’t help thinking that if we hadn’t said those vows before, it wouldn’t have been so intense.

Or maybe it would, given the size of Worth’s dick.

I bite back a smile.

“So it’s definitely a no to Fisher,” Efa says. It’s not a question, more a summation. “And Jack definitely isn’t ready for commitment. Have you thought about Worth?”

My cheeks burn like the sun. I hope I’ve got enough makeup on to hide it.

“He’s a really great guy,” Jules says.

“A great guy,” I say.

“Not really your type, but that might not be a bad thing,” Jules says.

I sigh. “Yeah. Not my usual type.” I’m not lying. I normally would have chosen someone who was… absent. Looking back at my previous relationships, I’d picked men who were very much like my father. Jamie was physically absent, as he lived in Florida and worked on yachts. He wasn’t even in the same country for a lot of our relationship. He could have had ten other girlfriends and I would never have known. Other guys I’ve dated were similar. They worked nights, or were focused on their bands’ gigs, or whatever. There was always a reason for me to take a back seat in their lives.

I wasn’t the priority for any of them.

Maybe it was because we were in our twenties and that’s how it was meant to be. Or maybe it’s because that’s how I thought it was meant to be. My role model was a man who had another family in the next town over. His focus was never just us.

Jules is right. Worth is nothing like any of the men I’d dated before.

“So do you like him?” Efa asks. “Even if he’s not your type. I mean, Bennett was very definitely not my type, and he’s the love of my life.”

Efa and Jules stare at the mirror, their eyes on me.

I shrug. “Maybe,” I say.

They both ahhh at the same time.

“He’s so nice,” Efa says. “Bennett always goes to him for advice.”

“Leo is the same. He says Worth is the dad of the group. That shouldn’t put you off though. He’s lovely.”

And has a huge dick and knows exactly what to do with it, I don’t say.

“Marriage material,” Efa says.

I take a swig of champagne to cover any reaction I might be having. The last thing I want to do is let it slip that Worth and I got married last night. I don’t want the focus on anything but my best friend and the man lucky enough to marry her today.

My phone buzzes once, then twice. I’m thankful for the distraction.

It’s the group chat with my brothers.

Noah: Mom just called me to ask me if I can do decorations for Thanksgiving.

Oliver: What decorations?

Noah: For Dad’s birthday.

“What?” I ask out loud.

“You okay?” Jules asks.

I smile and shove my phone back in my pocket, trying to ignore the pounding of my heart. “Fine, just my brothers being dicks.” This is the last thing I need right now. Why would we be celebrating Thanksgiving with Dad? We’re going to be with Mom. How is anyone considering this?

“When are they going to settle down?” Jules asks.

My dad never settled down. His genetic offspring probably never will, either.

“Don’t wish that on a woman,” I say.

“I think we’re done,” the makeup artist says.

“Dress time,” I say, thankful for the focus being off me and my brothers and Worth.

“Have you thought about a honeymoon?” Efa asks.

“Leo wants to go to Paris, but we both have work. We’ll do something in the New Year.” Jules shimmies off her robe and I take the dress from where it’s hanging against the door.

“Life will be a honeymoon for you both,” I say, unzipping the dress cover.

“Awww, that’s such a nice way of looking at it,” Jules says. “You’re turning into a romantic.”

Efa and I help Jules into her dress. It’s not a typical wedding dress, but this isn’t a typical wedding. It’s simple white satin and hits her mid-thigh. It’s backless but long-sleeved—elegant and sexy. If it were black, it would be perfect in New York, which means it’s perfect for Vegas.

“It’s gorgeous,” I say.

“I love the way your hair is down,” Efa says. “So sexy and relaxed. Leo is going to love it.”

“Oh he does. He’s seen it.”

Efa squeals. “He’s seen your dress?”

“It’s not like we’re doing anything else the traditional way.”

There’s a knock at the door, and I jump out of my skin.

“You okay?” Jules asks me. “You seem a little on edge.”

“I’m fine,” I say, heading to the door of the suite. “Was just so caught up in admiring the view. I’ll get the door.”

Luckily, Jules is getting dressed in the bedroom area, which can’t be seen from the door. I pull the door open and come face-to-face with Worth. The painted-on smile I’ve been trying to perfect all morning morphs into a real one.

“Hey,” I say. He looks hot as all holy fuck. The tux suits him. Maybe it’s because I know the body hiding beneath that sharply cut suit, but I’ve never seen a better-looking man. He’s had a shave, and his hair is pushed back. He looks like an Italian model or something.

“Hey,” he replies, grinning at me. We didn’t have much time to talk this morning. We were up most of the night not talking, and only woke with the alarm. Worth gave me a kiss that made me wet and needy, then left. “I have this for the bride.” He produces a jewelry box and hands it to me. These boys sure do like to spend their money on jewelry. “It’s from the groom,” he says.

“Worth?” Jules shouts from the bedroom. “What’s going on?”

“Just delivering a present,” he calls back. “Which can also double as a status check. How close to ready are you?” He looks me up and down, his eyes heating as his gaze trails the length of my body. “You look good enough to eat,” he whispers. “I’ll look forward to every bite later.”

I throb between my legs, ready for him instantly. I bite down hard on my bottom lip.

He growls and reaches for me, his hand skirting the inside of my thigh, traveling higher and higher.

“Worth wants to know how long we’ll be?” I call out, trying to hide the strain in my voice as his fingers find the lace of my underwear.

“We’re just zipping her into her dress,” Efa calls. Worth’s finger dips into my panties. “We’re two minutes away from being done.”

Worth removes his hand and puts his index finger in his mouth, then removes it with a pop. “Mmm,” he hums. “So sweet.”

Then he turns and strides down the hall, leaving me weak-kneed and flushed.

I let go of the door and turn, straightening my shoulders and swallowing. “I’m fine,” I whisper under my breath.

“Leo sent you a gift,” I say as I walk back into the bedroom area. I hand her the box.

Her eyes widen. She opens the red box to reveal a row of diamond stars forming a bracelet. We all gasp. It’s beautiful.

“He has really good taste,” I say.

“Well, it’s not like there’s much bad at Cartier,” Jules says.

We help her fix the bracelet on and she gives us a twirl as we record her on our phones.

“Your last moments as a single woman,” Efa says. “Do you have anything to say?”

I suppose I’m not technically single at the moment? I can’t remember what my last words were. They were probably, yes, I’m sure I really want to do this.

“I can’t wait to marry my best friend and soul mate.”

“It’s about time,” I say.

Worth might not be my best friend—I haven’t known him long enough—but as crazy as it sounds, there’s something nudging at my edges telling me he’s important. More important than anyone I’ve ever had in my life.