Even though we lost Beau, that is the price he paid for turning against us. And I know my father would have done the same thing.
“I love you, baby,” I whisper.
She smiles against my lips, and I forget the people watching us. All I see is my wife.
The person who makes my world keep spinning. And I’m a free man now. Free to give her the whole damn world without having to look over my shoulder.
Starting with this.
The wedding she dreamed about in a hospital bed.
The life she ran toward when she left New York.
The family she chose.
Mine.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
LOLA
“I’m sohappy for you, Lola,” Violet gushes as she passes me another glass of champagne.
“Thank you. Hey, looks like it’s going well with Jett,” I say, nudging my head in his direction.
“I think he’s fun. But perhaps too fun for anything serious?”
I place my hand on her shoulder. “Everyone is having fun until they find their person. He likes you, I can see it in his eyes.”
She smiles and then knocks back the entire glass of champagne.
“For courage?” I tease.
“For something. I’m going to see if that fine cowboy can show me some real fun.”
I bite on my lip, watching as she strides towards Jett. I see it, the way he shifts, all of his attention is on her. Hunter’s arms wrap around my waist from behind, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Was this everything you hoped and dreamed?” he asks.
“Yes, sir.”
He nips at my neck. “Careful.”
I rest against his chest, admiring the party happening around us.
The lights glow above the dance floor, casting everything in warm amber. The stars shimmer in the sky. Candles flicker on every table. The wildflowers are starting to close for the night.
And everyone I love is here.
My mom is dancing with Dad, which is a sight I haven’t seen in years. She’s smiling. He’s smiling. Whatever barriers existed between us are thinning, slowly, and tonight they’re thin enough to let the light through.
Violet is at the bar with Jett. She’s laughing at something he said, and he’s watching her like she’s the only person at the party. I called it. I absolutely called it.
That spark Violet wanted, I think it is right beside her.
Ace is ten drinks deep and teaching one of the Quinn brothers—I think the beast of a man is named Conan—how to line dance. It’s going badly, and they’re both loving it.
Colten is in a corner with Romeo, because even at a wedding, those two can’t stop working. But Colten’s tie is loose, and his sleeves are rolled, and that’s the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him.