Chapter 1

They say it's bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding ceremony…

“Fuck it!" Jules yelled, holding up the bottom of her dress as she rushed down the hallway, determination and amusement on her face.

She needed to find him before they stopped her, she thought, trying her best to keep herself from tripping on her heels.

She hadn't seen him since the day before as he was away for his bachelorette party, and she was told they didn't let him attend to his phone.

“Jules!” Cassie yelled, almost slamming into the wall in front of her as she stopped, trying to catch her breath. “You're literally getting married to him. You'll be seeing him for the rest of your life!"

Those words only made Jules want to see him even more. She was finally getting married to the man of her dreams, and she couldn't wait to see how handsome he looked in his tux.

To think no one thought he'd get married to an ordinary store clerk like her.

And fuck his aunt for thinking they wouldn't work out.

She would never forget the look on his aunt’s face when she said, “My son is out of your league." Just because she'd seen Nolan walk out of Jules' car after he'd begged her to drive him home in her car so he won't be followed.

Well, who’s laughing now?

“Where the heck is she?” Mrs Hart asked, Jules’ veil in her hand as she got to where Cassie stood.

Cassie stared into the distance and managed a smile which didn't quite reach her eyes as she replied, “Off to find her Romeo."

"Nolan!!” Jules was panting by now as she stood at the end of a hallway lined with many doors.

Her husband, Nolan Cross, was in one of them, but she couldn't tell which, so this was the other option—yell.

“Nolan!" She yelled again.

A door creaked open at the end of the hall, and a blue eyed Nolan stepped out, his brows pulled together in concern.

“Jules, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?” His voice was soft.

Jules' smile only broadened, and she tilted her head. Before he could utter another word, she kicked off her shoes and lurched forward, throwing herself at him.

Luckily, he was quick to catch her and hold himself from falling backwards. He chuckled softly, staring into her eyes. “Easy there. You don't want to ruin your gown."

Jules just chuckled and pressed and a quick kiss on his lips. "I missed you.”

Nolan raised a brow. "Really?”

Jules nodded slowly. "You left me all throughout yesterday.”

“But you were with your girls," Nolan argued with a smile.

Jules leaned in for another kiss as if trying to silence him. "I'm not getting married to my girls, Nolan.”

“Well, you—"

"Juliette!” her mom yelled in frustration from behind. “The ceremony is about to start and you're not half ready!"

It only made Jules chuckle again as he put her on her feet gently. Then, taking one last glance at her husband to be, she asked, ignoring her mom. “How do I look?"

Nolan took a slow breath and folded his arms, his eyes running from her face down to the flowing gown she was wearing.

He saw a woman who'd grown from the struggling little lady who had found him heartbroken…and stayed. To the woman he promised to spend the rest of his life with and he'd forever be grateful for her. “You look stunning, my love."

Jules blushed just as her mom took her by the arm. "Juliette Shannon Hart. You are going to be the death of me.” Her mom grumbled and began pulling her away, with Juliette's shoes in her hand.

Nolan laughed at the sight, and Jules also couldn't help it. She blew a kiss just as they turned a corner and yelled. “See you at the altar!"

Nolan didn't stop staring even when they were out of sight, and his smile never left till a hand appeared on his shoulder.

"She looks so happy, man. When are you going to tell her?” Kai, his friend and best man asked, as he emerged from the room.

Nolan sighed, his smile wiping off completely. “I really don't know how she'd take it." He replied, the weight of what could destroy his and Jules' relationship putting a dent in his brows.

It was getting harder to keep up with the act.

“Well, It’s better she hears it from you,” Kai said gently. “She might actually forgive you.”

*****

The music swelled as every head turned to view Juliette, who walked arm in arm with her uncle, down the aisle.

"She's pretty though. I think that's what he saw in her.”

“She's pretty basic to me."

“I'm not sure I've seen her before. Does he hide her?"

Jules ignored all the voices around her, because well—she didn't know up to half of the people in attendance. And honestly, she didn't care.

All she cared about was the man who'd be saying I do to the priest's words. And that was enough to keep her smile.

She kept her head straight, suddenly realizing how long the aisle was.

From what she could see through the veil, Nolan stood with his hands behind him, his perfectly ironed tux sitting firmly on his muscular body, his blonde hair combed and arranged by whom ever Kai had gotten for him.

She could feel his blue eyes on her, though she couldn't place his expression.

Finally, they got to the altar, and Jules couldn't hold back her smile.

‘It’s happening.’ she squealed in her mind. And as the priest began the ceremony, she couldn't help but remember how far she and Nolan had come, from the day he ran into her store to escape paparazzi.

“I do." Nolan's voice rang through her ears, it was…flat, no emotion.

But Jules just shrugged and clutched her bouquet tighter, waiting for the priest to be done. Then finally, “I do." She replied with a bright smile.

"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.” The priest said, "You may now kiss the bride.”

Nolan hesitated, then took a step closer. He reached for her veil and pulled it over head, revealing his beautiful wife.

Even though his expression was serious, Jules could tell he was impressed.

Finally, he pulled an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Instinctively, she put an arm around his neck and leaned in, accepting his lips with everything in her.

Then, as the crowd roared and cheered with cameras flashing from different angles, Jules leaned close to his ear and whispered with a sly grin.

“I have a surprise for you."