“I trust you.” Not so long ago, I couldn’t have said that to anyone other than Teague and Beau. My circle of trust had expanded to four more humans and two canines. Perhaps it wasn’t that the mighty fall, but rather they learned they couldn’t do everything independent of others. That they needed others.
“I won’t do you wrong.”
Beau poked her head out the door. “Are you ready?”
Miss Adeline pulled me on one side of her and motioned Teague and Pepper to their places. We didn’t have any chairs. Everyone we loved was going to stand at the altar beside us.
“Let’s have this wedding so we can get to the cake,” Miss Adeline said.
Beau disappeared for a second before she threw open the door, phone in hand. She snapped a picture of us, then focused her attention on the empty doorway.
I held my breath as I waited.
She hadn’t allowed me to see her dress. Not that it mattered. It was Lexie I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on.
She and Eric stepped onto the roof. Lexie was no less than stunning as she floated toward me. Her face was shielded by a thin veil. Crimson shoes peeked out from under her white dress. Her hair was pulled back, exposing the perfection of her neck.
With every step closer she took, the harder my heart beat. I felt. Because of her. And it wasn’t nerves. It was excitement.
This woman had given me hope when I’d had none. She’d stood by me at my worst and forgiven me when I’d made mistakes. She’d turned what was a lonely apartment into a home. And who was a lonely human into a man full of life.
I met her halfway down the aisle, unable to wait any longer. When I reached her, I paused before lifting her veil. Her eyes shone as she looked up at me.
I couldn’t find the words to tell her how beautiful she was, to thank her, to tell her I loved her. So I did my version of I do.
I slid my hand to her jaw and slowly bent toward her. She grabbed the lapels of my jacket, her chest rising and falling in a pronounced rhythm. My lips met hers, and the missing piece of my soul clicked into place.
I kissed her long and slow. An appreciation for the gift she’d given me. For the life she’d breathed into me. A promise to protect and love her until time ceased to exist.
“I thought the kiss came at the end,” Eric whispered loudly from the altar.
“See what happens when you don’t stick to the script?” Miss Adeline asked. “It’s a lot better.”
Lexie snickered against my mouth, and I joined her.
“Is this your version of a wedding hello?”
I cradled her face. “I do. Until there is nothing left of this earth, I am yours.”
She choked back a sob and touched my cheek. “You express your feelings better than anyone I know.” Her smile was watery. “And I do.”
I kissed her again and everyone clapped and whistled.
I took her hand, approaching the altar.
“Are you two good? Or do we need to go through the scripted version?” Miss Adeline held up a piece of paper.
“We’re good,” Lexie said.
“This minister thing is easy. I now pronounce you husband and wife.” She flashed me a knowing look. “I don’t think you need my permission to kiss the bride.”
“No, I most certainly do not.”
I leaned forward and she pressed on her toes, touching her lips to mine again. She was my wife. And I was never letting her go.
“Are you going to do that all through dinner?” Teague asked.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Beau said.
“They can do what they want, but I’m ready for cake.”
Suddenly, the rooftop was quiet. We looked around and laughed when we found ourselves alone.
Lexie kissed my cheek. “We nailed this wedding thing.”
“I love you.”
I didn’t say it often. No matter what Lexie thought, I was a work in progress when it came to expressing my feelings. But I vowed to try.
“I love you, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
I’d never grow tired of hearing her say that. Never.
I led her downstairs to join our family again. As her warm hand was in mine, I could hardly believe she was my wife.
Laughter filled the apartment through the open front door, such a stark contrast to how life had been before. This was incredibly better.
Everyone was gathered by the piano in the living room. Eric sat on the bench next to Beau.
“Shall we dance, Mrs. Hollingsworth?”
She beamed, more radiant than she’d ever been. I liked to think I had something to do with it.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Her smile turned to her brother. “Ready for what you’ve practiced?”
The first notes of “Me and Bobby McGee” echoed in the space, and a chorus of voices joined in.
I laughed. Naturally, there wasn’t any other song to play. And those piano lessons Beau had been giving Eric were working well. Another thing he was naturally gifted at.
I swept Lexie into my arms and spun her across the floor. I had gone from a hollow man to one who had everything. Because of Lexie.
I dipped her, touching my forehead to hers when I pulled her upright.
“Let’s nail this rest of our lives thing.”
“I assume my invitation got lost in the mail.”
The animated conversation around the dining table silenced.
Teague dropped his fork with a clatter. “You weren’t invited.”
He glared at my father, who seemed pleased by his reaction.
What is he doing here?
Lexie clasped my hand under the table.
“This isn’t an appropriate time,” I said. I should change the locks so he couldn’t show up as he pleased, but that wouldn’t stop him.
He sauntered farther into the dining room and picked up Teague’s glass of champagne. “Surely, you don’t expect me to be absent on such a momentous occasion in my children’s lives?”
Teague pushed to his feet. Pepper grabbed his arm.
“Sit down, son. I’m only here for well wishes.” His smile sent a chill skittering down my spine. “And to think we get to do this all over again in two weeks. At Beau’s wedding.”
Beau is expected to marry a man she barely knows in two weeks. But maybe there’s a way out. Marry someone else first.
ONE-CLICK BEND NOW!
I thought arranged marriages died a few centuries ago.
Apparently, my father didn’t get the memo.
In two weeks I’m supposed to say I do to a man I’ve never met.
And the only way I see out of it? Marry someone else first.
The problem is I have one option on such short notice:
The jerk who shattered my heart.
One-click BEND now!
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