Page 180 of Sinclair Duet

“You did?” Mom asked.

“Ella thought we should,” I explained. “I figured since we weren’t invited to his non-legal wedding to Amber, we could lose his invite. The final answer was no.”

Dad nodded. “I understand. It still makes me sad.”

“Not on our son’s wedding day,” Mom said, hugging Dad’s arm.

“Are we going to do this?” Dani asked.

I looked at my watch. “It’s about time.”

“Ella is simply stunning,” Mom said. “We stopped by her dressing room first.”

“I wouldn’t adhere to these stupid traditions if they weren’t important to her.”

Mom again reached for my hand. “That shows that you love her.”

“I do. I really do.”

After our parents left, I turned to Dani. “Thank you.”

“I’ve got your back.”

“And I’ve got yours.”

Gabriella

“You’re beautiful,”Mom said as she adjusted the veil. “I’m so happy that we’re with you for this special day.”

“Me too, Mom. Things all worked out.”

“They did,” she said. “And Derek is looking healthy.”

“Damien and I wanted you all to be here.”

“And me,” Kenzie said.

“You are beautiful, Gabby.” My sister Charlotte was one of the few people who called me by another name. “And Kenzie has been practicing her petal drop.” She turned to her daughter. “Are you ready?”

Kenzie nodded.

I reached for her shoulder. “Aunt Ella’s got you.”

“See, Mom. We’re good.”

I turned and met Niles’s stare. “You’re unusually quiet.”

“I was just thinking,” he said with a shimmer in his eyes. “You are visible, Ella. Definitely visible.”

My lips quivered. “Don’t you dare make me cry after that two-hour-long makeup session.”

“I’m saving making you cry for my maid-of-honor speech.”

“It’s about time for the wedding,” Mom said. “We’ll be the ones in the front row.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Charlotte and Mom left, leaving the four of us.