All eyes were on the bride; all eyes except for Zee’s. Annie was a vision, but there was only one woman today who had any effect on Zee, and her effect was ungovernable.

He strained to control his thoughts and emotions, but was powerless as a gust of wind blew at Tori’s dress, causing it to cascade and billow around her like a mystical creature in-flight as she walked down the aisle toward him.

She maintained eye contact with him the entire way, as if no one else in the party mattered, not even the groom to his side. That’s when Zee knew that they would become one, one in heart, one in mind, one in purpose. She would walk that same path to him someday, and they would walk the rest of their days together, side-by-side, as one. He’d make sure of it.

A tug pulled at Zee’s sleeve.

“The ring,” Ethan insisted, “they’re asking for the ring.” His eyes opened wide with concern.

“Oh, right,” Zee mumbled, reaching deep into his pocket for the ring. He held it high in the air, which attracted a wave of applause and laughs.

How had Zee missed the entire ceremony? He needed to take a few more lessons from Ethan on disciplining his mind.

All the guests stood and waited patiently until the bridal procession finished their walk back up the aisle. Zee and Meri were the last two to smile at the crowd as they walked off the beach.

Zee kept a brisk pace, focusing forward. He didn’t want to lose Tori and Ethan, who were now several steps ahead. With his free arm, Zee waved for them to wait.

The moment they were out of earshot, Meri squeezed Zee’s arm. “You had better not play any tricks like that at my wedding.”

Zee gave a sly smile. “You think you’ll get married someday?”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Incorrigible? Maybe if you stopped watching The Sound of Music, you’d find a guy.”

She smacked the back of his head and stomped toward the atrium where lunch would be served.

Tori came to his side, laughing. “I saw Meri backhand you. What did you do now?”

“I can’t seem to help myself,” he whimpered. “When I’m ninety years old, you’ll still be telling me to stop pestering my little sister. I know it’s evil of me, but she’s just so fun to tease.”

They entered the glass atrium with the wedding party hard on their heels. Food at weddings attracted a crowd, and this cuisine rivaled any five-star establishment. The moment Annie gave Meri the thumbs up to plan and execute her wedding, the wedding brunch had been a top priority. Meri had asked Zee to spend the last week with the chefs, finalizing and sampling the menu. He didn’t complain once.

He took Tori’s arm, leading her to the head table reserved for the bride and groom’s families. The fifteen round tables that sat eight guests a piece were filling with lively chatter as the guests took their seats.

Zee’s stomach grumbled. “Do you think Annie and Paxton will be here soon, because I’m ready to pass out from hunger.”

“Me too,” echoed Ethan.

Zee nodded at him. “You’ll be the first through the line, big guy.”

“I could go look for her,” Tori suggested.

“We’ll give them another minute.” Zee shook his head. “Then I’ll announce for everyone to dig in.”

“Meri would murder you,” Tori warned.

Zee stood behind Tori as she watched for the newlyweds. He placed his hand on her bare, left shoulder and slid it slowly down her arm, ultimately weaving his fingers through hers. The wedding band was missing. Zee’s breath became shallow and rapid. His joy was complete. She was letting him know that she was ready to move forward. He continued to slide his other hand down her right arm, taking both hands in his, and resting his chin on her shoulder.

Her stomach rumbled with fury.

He brought their hands to her stomach. “You must be really hungry?”

“She is,” Ethan shouted loudly above the noise. “She has morning sickness.”

Zee could feel Tori’s respirations stop. He was still clutching her stomach when he looked up to the startled eyes of nearly every person in the room, a few raising their hands to their mouths.

He threw his head back in laughter. “I like these guys. They are funny guys!” he said in a Hispanic accent, pointing to Ethan, then Tori. “Do you see why we get along? Come here, Meri,” he said, motioning to his sister. “Ethan has some material for you as well.”

Meri waved him off with an apathetic flick of her hand and a shake of her head.

“Thanks,” Tori exhaled, “El Guapo.”

“You figured out the Three Amigos reference!” She got him. “Finally caught your breath?” he whispered, holding her tight. “You’re not really pregnant, right?”

“No!” she said, a little too loudly. “No,” she continued in a more reasonable tone, wiggling from his embrace. “How could you even ask that?”

Zee shrugged his shoulders. “Ethan did announce it to the entire room.”

Tori tapped her foot. “I need food,” she pouted. “I’m getting grouchy.”

“Then let’s feed you two. I mean…you three.” He smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

“Stop it.” She elbowed him in the gut. “I can’t imagine what your mother must think of me right now.” Tori placed her hand to her forehead. “This is not how I anticipated meeting your mom, having to explain to her that I’m not knocked up. Do you see her?”

Zee reviewed the crowd. “No. She may be having a chat with the newlyweds. But you don’t need to worry. She’s been waiting over thirty years for a grandchild. She cornered me when I was only five years old, and told me that I would give her the cutest grandbabies someday. She’ll be disappointed you’re not pregnant.”

“That’s all it’ll take to win her over, huh?”

“You’ve already won her over. Trust me.”

“How can you say that? She arrived a few minutes before the ceremony. She hasn’t even met me yet.”

“But her children have, and we love you.” He brushed her chin with the tips of his fingers. “I love you.”

Her cool fingers caressed his neck before she wrapped them around his neck and pulled his face down to hers. The pressure of her lips against his, reflecting his desire, demonstrated an entirely different kind of hunger.