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There was a polite throat-clearing in the doorway We looked back, found Lindsey in jeans and a pink BRIDE’S CREW T-shirt,in hand

"Sire, Sentinel" She sher "It’s ti nerves hadn’t sparked yet, but seeing her standing there with the dress she hadn’t yet seensuddenly real We’d reached the point where there was no ate threats, plan for security

I was gettinghter in his voice "You’ve gone a bit pale"

I sed hard, looked back at hirade history speech"

Ethan srade, or so I assuree and a half I feel like U of C, a"

I blew out a breath through pursed lips "Everything will be fine" But I grabbed his lapels, pitched forward "What if ot doves? What if the DJ only plays the chicken dance? What if Amit messes up the toast?"

"I have no plan tothe crowd to the cusp of tears, then aroom’s wilder days"

Actually, that did sound entertaining

Ethan kissed my forehead "Steady on, brave Sentinel You deferred the wedding planning, and now you must face the music--and possibly the doves" But he looked down at er over the House necklace at ardless of the rest of it, he said silently, there will be you and ht, and all of its dark beauty, is ours

Who needed Lord Byron anyway?

CHAPTER FIVE

WHEN DOVES CRY

They stood in the foyer like a posse come to collect their due

And that "due" was me

Helen and my mother, Meredith Merit, looked like business partners Both wore trim suits and pearls, their hair perfectly coiffed,very Stepford Wives about it Or the Oak Park and Hyde Park versions, anyway

Mallory stood with them in jeans and another BRIDE’S CREW shirt She stood beside a pile of suitcases and what looked like black tackle boxes

They turned together, glanced at aze

"Merit,"her hands to my cheeks Her palms were soft and cold, and she s? Are you nervous? Excited?"