Beneath Her Bastard Boss

hapter 90

“Breathe, Blair. You look like you’re about to pass out,” Sutton said, adjusting the delicate veil in Blair’s hair.

“I’m fine,” Blair insisted, though her heart was racing. “Just… processing.”

Keira snorted, carefully touching up Blair’s makeup. “Processing that in exactly thirty–seven minutes, you’re going to be Mrs. Roman Kingston?”

“When you say it like that, it sounds so… real,” Blair whispered.

“That’s because it is real,” Sutton laughed softly. “After everything you’ve been through to get here, I’d hope so.”

Blair glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her dress was perfect. The hairdresser had styled her hair in loose waves.

Inside, though, she felt anything but calm. Not because she was having doubts… she had never been more certain of anything in her life, but because the moment felt so monumental.

“Mom and Dad would be so proud,” Keira said softly, as if reading her thoughts. “Of all of us, but especially you today.”

Blair felt tears threatening and blinked rapidly. “Don’t make me cry. My makeup will run.”

“No, it won’t,” Keira assured her. “I used the industrial–strength waterproof stuff. You could swim the English Channel and still look flawless.”

A knock at the door interrupted them. Eleanor Kingston peeked in, looking elegant in a pale blue dress. “How’s our bride doing?”

“Just having a minor existential crisis,” Keira replied cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Perfectly normal,” Eleanor said, stepping into the room. “I nearly threw up right before walking down the aisle to James.”

“That’s… not as reassuring as you might think,” Blair said weakly.

Eleanor laughed, coming to stand beside her. “What I’m trying to say is that nerves are natural. But Blair, I’ve never seen my son happier than he’s been with you. You two belong together.”

Blair smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Eleanor.”

“I have something for you,” Roman’s mother continued, pulling a small velvet box from her clutch. “A tradition in the Kingston family. Something borrowed.”

She opened the box to reveal a stunning sapphire and diamond bracelet. “I wore this on my wedding day, and Roman’s grandmother wore it before me.”

“It’s beautiful,” Blair breathed as Eleanor fastened it around her wrist.

“And,” Eleanor added, “Rose wanted me to give you this.” She produced a small blue garter. “Something blue, obviously.”

Keira grinned. “I’ve got the something old covered.” She handed Blair a small locket. “It was Mom’s. Sutton and I thought you should have it today.”

Blair’s fingers trembled as she took the familiar locket. “I remember this. She wore it all the time.”

“There’s a new picture inside,” Sutton said softly.

Blair opened it to find a tiny photograph of her parents on one side and a small picture of her with her sisters on the other. This time, she couldn’t stop the tears.

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dabbing at the corner of Blair’s eye. “You’re officially a beautiful,

“Ladies, it’s almost time.”

a deep breath to

wreck,” James informed her with a chuckle. “I’ve never seen him so fidgety. He’s asked

picturing Roman–normally so composed–pacing anxiously at the altar. “That’s oddly

would never presume to take his place. But if you’d allow me, I’d

“I’d like that

son waiting any longer. He might wear a hole

in attendance. Just as Blair had wanted. As the music began and

the church

Ready?” James whispered.

“Ready,” she confirmed.

and saw Roman waiting for her, every nervous thought vanished. He stood tall and handsome in his tuxedo, but it was his expression that caught her heart. The naked adoration in his eyes, the way his breath. visibly caught when he

registered the walk down the aisle, James’s steady presence beside her grounding her as she moved toward her. future. When they

of each other,” he said softly, then stepped back and taking his place

around hers. “You’re breathtaking,”

replied,

Blair was vaguely aware of the minister speaking, of exchanging vows that they had written themselves, of the cool slide of the wedding band onto her finger. But mostly, she was aware of Roman…his voice, his touch, his unwavering gaze. He was so here with

you husband and wife,” the minister

man himself. The small gathering erupted in applause, but Blair barely heard it, lost in

murmured against

Kingston,” she returned

away tears while trying to pretend she wasn’t. Sutton stood beside Luca, who had his hand placed protectively at the

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an

maid or best man. Blair hadn’t wanted to choose between

gardens. As Blair and Roman moved among their guests, accepting congratulations and well–wishes, she couldn’t help but marvel at how right it

near the fountain, “a year ago, if someone had told me I’d be married to my

if someone had told me I’d marry my arrogant, demanding boss, I would have checked them for a head

Roman feigned offense. “I

Blair corrected with

pulling her close.

agreed, leaning into him. “I love you,

love you, Blair Kingston,” he replied, his voice deepening with emotion. “More than I ever

in her eye. “Sorry to break up this disgustingly sweet moment, but your first dance is supposed to start in five minutes, and Rose is threatening to choose the music if you don’t

time she DJ’d, she played the Macarena six times in

his hand. “We better