“Wow.”
And that’s when my mom breaks down. She tries to hold in her sob as she wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I close my eyes, holding my mom, and soon, everyone is hugging us. As each woman wraps her arms around me, I have never in my life felt so loved, so supported, or so cared for by a group of women. These women raised me and grew up with me, and again, I am glad I waited. Because my heart container is full, and I haven’t even seen my groom yet.
How in the world am I going to handle seeing Boon?
We ride as a convoy to the field. Grandma, Mom, Shelli, and I all ride together as Shelli warms up her voice. I don’t know what she is going to sing, but I am excited. My sister sings like an angel. When Mom comes to a stop at the bottom of the hill, I notice that outside, my dad is waiting by his truck. My lips quirk as she parks, but before I can get out, Mom chastises me loudly. “Wait a damn second. We need the photographer.”
Shelli snorts as Mom gets out and gets everyone in place. I know my dad is trying to see me, but Mom has the darkest tint she can have on her SUV. My dad looks dapper in a gray suit that fits him like a glove. His hair is brushed to the side, and he’s wearing dark sunglasses over his eyes. That is, until Mom yells at him to take them off. I laugh as he does as she asks, but then we’re all laughing when she comes to the door saying, “Shit, Grandma is right about the blow jobs.”
Grandma grins. “Damn right.”
We’re still laughing as Mom helps me out. Instantly, I’m thankful she was right about her little disk that she put on my shoes, because I don’t sink into the ground. I hear the click of the camera as I walk around the SUV with my mom into view of my dad. Within seconds, I am thankful for the waterproof makeup Piper used. My heart explodes in my chest as tears start to fall down his cheeks. I don’t know if it’s because I’m the spitting image of my mom on her wedding day or if it’s because his baby is getting married. He wraps his arms around me, kissing my jaw, and I hold on tight as he whispers, “I can’t believe I have to give you away.”
I melt in his arms as I hold him even tighter. “I love you.”
He pulls back, looking at me. “I love you, sweetheart. My God, you’re an angel.”
My lips wobble. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”
“Shit, you and me both, kid.” He then kisses my forehead, and I know that’s the picture that will hang in my living room. When he laces our fingers, guiding me to his truck, he helps me in so we can drive over to the back of the seating area and then walk down the aisle together. Shelli is mad we didn’t use her idea of riding in on horseback, but I quickly reminded her that we all play hockey and no one has ridden a horse in their damn lives.
Though, seeing Boon on a horse would have been the funniest thing ever.
As we drive up, I look over at my dad. It’s obvious he’s barely keeping it together. “Dad, can I ask you something?”
He looks over at me. “Turn the car around?” he asks, but before I can even stop him, he whips it to the left, and I laugh loudly.
“Dad! You’re gonna piss off Mom!”
He laughs as he turns the truck around once more, getting back on the road behind the rest of the cars. “Fine, what is it?”
“Do you know why Tina isn’t going to be there?”
He swallows hard as, around us, everyone parks their cars. He stops so they can get set up and looks over at me. “I do, baby. But I told Boon I wouldn’t tell his business.”
I nod. “But he confided in you?”
“He did, and I think I gave him good advice.”
“She didn’t want him to marry me, did she?”
He bites his lip, watching as my mom and the other members of my family head the rest of the way to the chairs. He sighs heavily. “No, baby. She didn’t.”
I press my lips together. “And we’re sure he’s up there, right?”
Dad chuckles lightly. “He is. He’s ready. He loves you, baby. So damn much, which I’ll admit, made me hate him less.”
I snort. “You don’t hate him.”
He gives me a look that says otherwise, but then we’re both laughing. He covers my hand with his, squeezing it. “You’re gorgeous, Posey. Stunning, really.”
I beam at him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
Before my dad can answer me, Owen is in the window. “Hey. Wow, you’re pretty!”
“Hey. Thanks!”
He grins. “We’re ready.”
Dad takes in a deep breath, and Owen heads back up toward the gazebo. Dad looks over at me with tears in his eyes. “You sure?”
“Damn sure.”
He nods. “Well, let’s do this.”
Dad gets out and comes around to help me out. As I fix my dress, he hands me my bouquet that Ally made of yellow orchids and white daisies. I look up at him as our hands meet from the passing of the bouquet, and he brings his hand up to cup my face. “I have been preparing myself to give Shelli away since the moment I knew she was getting married. But with you, I know that no amount of preparation would ever make me ready to give you away, Posey Rose.”
My lip quivers as I gaze up into my hero’s eyes. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
His lips come to my cheek, and I lean into his kiss with my eyes closed. When he pulls back, he tucks my hand into his folded arms and exhales.
“Well, come on. Let me go give you away before the angina kicks in.”
“Aw, I miss the angina. Is it finally leaving?”
He scoffs. “If I hadn’t played golf with that guy yesterday, it would be in full effect.”
We share a grin before heading up the pebbled path that leads to my aunt’s gazebo. The soft sounds of two guitars reach me as we get closer. When I hear Aiden’s voice, the song he is singing hits me right in the soul. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. But then I hear Shelli’s voice, singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis. It’s amazing the way they take turns, both songs becoming one. It’s beautiful, and soon, the tears won’t stop flowing. When we arrive to where everyone is seated, I see the taco truck and the dance floor, but what I didn’t expect to see is the whole Assassins team. Everyone is grinning at me, so happy for us, and it’s overwhelming.
But then my gaze is captured by a certain pair of hazel eyes that are my future.
Just like that, everyone else is gone.
All I see is him.
My forever teammate.
Chapter Nine
Boon
I’m utterly speechless and completely breathless as I gaze into her eyes. Posey is stunning, perfect, and I can’t believe this is the woman I get to marry and spend the rest of our days together. “I will love only you,” I promise, my hands shaking as they hold hers. “No one can, or ever will, compare to you. I promise to love you, cherish you, and make you smile. When you’re sick, I’ll take care of you. When you’re happy, I’m happy. You guided me to love. I never knew how to show affection, how to be emotionally available, until I met you, and I thank you for that. Each day, you make me feel things I’ve never felt, and man, I can’t get enough. Posey, you are the best part of me, and I am so lucky that you want to love me, let alone spend the rest of our lives together. I love you, lovely, and I always will.”