CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Six weeks later…
The vows were spoken under a small flower-covered arch. All the guests had kicked off their shoes to enjoy the warm sand under their feet. It was a casual but slightly dressy occasion. No tuxedos but Sam had worn a suit along with his two best men, Max Hayes and Nate Mason.
Riley looked absolutely stunning in a simple white silk halter dress that pooled around her feet. It clung to all her perfect curves and they weren’t bothering to hide the gentle swell of her stomach. The world knew they were having a baby. It had been on the cover of every tabloid around the world and they’d announced it just the way they’d wanted to.
But not doing it at all. They’d simply been photographed buying baby furniture and clothes. They were going to live their lives under their own terms. The press could take notice or disappear. They didn’t care one way or the other.
Tara and one of Riley’s sisters had been her attendants and both ladies were holding court near the bar, chatting up Tyler Gaylord and Kirby Glenn. The younger actor looked a little worse for wear after the bachelor party last night. He’d partied harder than all the other men put together.
Riley’s family appeared to be having a good time at the wedding and they were excited about the baby, although Sam had been pulled aside by her father and given a lecture about how he’d better never hurt their little girl. Sam had assured his new father-in-law that he loved Riley and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize their happiness, but he wasn’t sure his in laws were convinced. Time would have to prove that he was sincere.
Sam swept back a stray strand of hair from his beautiful wife’s face, anchoring it behind her ear. There had been quite a breeze today despite the sunny and warm weather. But it had been the perfect day for a wedding.
The tang of salt in the air. The sound of the waves lapping against the sugar white sand. Hell, even the seagulls hadn’t ruined their day. They’d rented out the restaurant from their first date for the reception so the scavenger birds had to stay outside.
Riley nudged Sam’s knee under the table. “Your mother looks very happy. I think she’s told everyone in attendance today that she was the one that fixed us up.”
Paula Collins did indeed look like the cat that had swallowed the canary and she had for the last several weeks. When she’d returned home from her day with friends to the news that Sam had proposed and Riley had said yes she had yet to stop smiling.
She’d smiled all through the preparations for their intimate beach wedding here in Florida.
She’d smiled through the ultrasound where she’d received her first look at her future grandchild.
She’d definitely smiled when Sam and Riley had announced they were going to buy a family-sized home near Paula’s for when he was between movies.
She’d even smiled when his publicist announced Sam was taking a year off after the baby was born, but he’d assured her that he was planning to return to work. He and Riley were collaborating on a script idea that she’d come up with. A quirky little murder mystery. They might even be able to convince Nate’s wife Paige to write it for them, although she had her hands full with their young twins. Currently, they were letting the babies have their first taste of wedding cake. It looked like more was on their faces than in their mouths.
“She did do a terrific job picking out my wife,” Sam replied, dropping a kiss on Riley’s nose much to the delight of the guests who were giving them indulgent smiles. “But even if she hadn’t pushed us together I would have ended up with you. One look and I was a goner.”
“I don’t remember it that way.”
He had clear memories of the first moment he’d seen her.
“I do. Why do you think I was trying to convince you to go out with me? Even if it was only pretend?”
“Because you’re a nice man.”
“I’m not that nice,” he denied with a shake of his head. “I thought you were gorgeous.”
“No, I thought you were gorgeous.” She gave him a flirtatious giggle and peered at him from under her lashes. There was promise in that look. Sinful promise. He was a lucky man. “Even my students were taken with you.”
That had been the sadder part of their year. Riley had decided not to return to teaching. She’d be having a baby in a few months and then they’d work on the movie. She could always change her mind later. Nothing was written in stone but he hoped she’d enjoy the film business. It would be good to work together as a team. It seemed to work for his friends.
“Are you happy?”
It was a silly question but he couldn’t stop himself from asking it. There were still moments – albeit brief – when he had doubts about being able to do this. They were becoming fewer and farther between, but they were still there. They’d get through it together.
Riley slipped her hand into his, hidden by the tablecloth. The way they were gazing into each other’s eyes it was as if everyone else had melted away and it was just the two of them. “I love you, Samuel Collins. I meant every word of the vows I said today, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“I love you, too.”
The words didn’t even begin to express all the emotion that Sam held inside. Riley had come into his life at the wrong moment but she’d managed to turn a confirmed bachelor into a family man. She hadn’t even tried. She’d given him an out that day but he hadn’t taken it.
He was a family man. Wife, children, love. He had it all. He’d never take it for granted.
I hope you enjoyed Sam and Riley’s happily ever after! Be on the look out for more Hollywood love stories coming in 2018. Thank you for reading Love in the Spotlight!
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