Eighteen Months Later
“Allie, are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” I’ve got my ten-month-old son Sebastian in my arms and my poor wife is as sick as a dog in bed.
“Jordan, don’t be silly. Your brother only gets married once.”
“Well, it is Sawyer. Don’t be so sure about that,” I tease, but I know better. Sawyer is like me when he settles down—it’s for life.
“Stop it. He adores her as much as she does him. It’s only the rehearsal dinner. If I stay in bed and rest, I’m hopeful I can make it to the wedding tomorrow. It’s you I’m worried about. I know you have two important speeches to give tonight. Are you going to be okay?”
The concern in her eyes grounds me. She’s miserable and still worried about me. “As long as you or Sasha will text me updates and let me know you’re okay, I’ll be fine. I was looking forward to dancing with you under the stars and recreating our wedding night in more ways than one though.”
“Well, you can have a rain check tomorrow if this fever goes away.” She sighs and looks at us adoringly. “He looks so cute tucked into his daddy’s arms. He’s the best of both of us. I still have a hard time believing we made something so perfect.”
Sebastian has my gray eyes and Allie’s blond hair. At times he has my temper, but mostly he’s pretty sweet like his mom. I took a step back and hired an assistant manager at the bar to work side by side with Sasha. Allie and I take Sebastian to the bar during the day—my office is now more of a daycare center. Allie takes care of everything business related, and I make sure the rest of the bar is running the way it should be. At night, we leave together at a decent time and come home for dinner and family time.
Our lives have changed drastically, but I’ve never been happier.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks, pulling me back to reality.
“Like what? Actually, hold that thought.” I duck out of the room and tuck Sebastian into his crib and kiss him goodnight before popping back into our room. “You were saying?”
“Like you love me,” she says dreamily.
“That’s because I do, more than anything.” I take a seat next to her on the bed and lean down to kiss her forehead.
“Jordan, stop. You’re going to get sick too.”
“Totally worth it to kiss my beautiful wife. Besides, you feel cooler. I think your fever is breaking.”
She laces her fingers with mine and strokes my wedding band as the doorbell rings. “Have fun tonight, okay?”
“As much fun as I can without you. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Sasha lets out a whistle when I open the door. “You look smoking hot. Almost as good as your wedding day.”
“Thanks. Allie is in the bedroom and Sebastian is sleeping in his crib. He’ll probably wake up once before I get home and—”
Sasha holds up her hand. “You act like I’ve never watched my nephew before. I’ve got this, go to the rehearsal. Tomorrow is going to be a sad day. I’m going to officially lose my Sawyer Weston booty call.”
I laugh as I grab my keys. “Sash, you lost that a couple of years ago.”
“True, but he officially becomes off limits tomorrow. This girl doesn’t do married peen.”
“Fuck, I love you. I’ll see you when I get back. You’re staying over, right?”
She holds up her overnight bag. “Yup, I’m Sebastian’s roomie for the night. Let me tell you, I can’t wait until your new house is finished. I love the little guy, but he cramps my masturbatory style in a big way.”
“You and I both.” I kiss her on the cheek and head toward the beach.
“Thanks for driving me home, Mac.”
He laughs. “For the fifth time, you’re welcome.”
I might have had a few too many drinks tonight. Giving best man speeches isn’t an easy thing to do—I’m not the most extroverted person in the world. That would be Sawyer.
“So … how are things with you and Tyler?” He’s turning onto my street now, so I need to get the questions out while I can.
“Things are good as usual.”
“He’s a catch, Mac. You’re pretty lucky.”
I catch his grin in the rearview mirror. He thinks I don’t know he put me back here in case I throw up, but I know all his tricks—he’s been in the family long enough.
“I’m lucky, but Tyler might be luckier.” He winks at me, and I bust up laughing. Mac is the best when he drops the bodyguard act and shows his true self. But since he protects my family at the risk of his life, I’ll let his bodyguard demeanor slide.
“Who knows? Maybe you two will tie the knot next.”
“Oh no, don’t go marrying me off just yet, Weston. I think Cadence needs a new mama long before I need a husband.”
“Do you think Darren will ever be ready to find someone else? He’s carried that torch for a long time. I’m not sure it’s going anywhere.”
Mac is silent for a beat as he ponders my question. “We all know what it’s like to lose someone we love deeply. Darren is still grieving, but that man is filled with a love for the world, and for his daughter, of course. I think when he meets his person, the right one may be able to break down his walls. He’s one of the most outgoing people I know, but he’s been stifling his creativity since the accident. Once the new studio is open and he starts exposing himself to what he loves again, I wouldn’t be surprised if his heart opens too.”
Mac pulls into my driveway, and I pat his shoulder. “You’re a profound man, Mac. Tell Ty to give me a call.”
“Will do. I’ll come get you guys in the early afternoon so you can come get ready for the wedding.”
“Thanks, Mac.”
Mac stays and waits until I’m inside the house. There is never a time Tyler won’t feel safe and protected with Mac by his side. I’m glad they hit it off, even if it did take them forever to finally go out.
“Well, well, well … someone’s a bit tipsy on his feet.” Sasha grins up at me from the couch.
“Maybe, but it was a good night.”
“Your speeches went well?”
“Yeah, they meant a lot to Sawyer, both of them.”
“Good. I’m off to bed. Allie was fever free before she fell asleep. As long as she can keep that nasty cough under control, you both should be good for the wedding tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Sasha.”
After grabbing a bottle of water, I double-check all the doors and windows and turn off the lights. Normally, I’d check on Sebastian, but if I open that door and wake him up, Sasha will ride my ass till the end of time.
I enter my room as quietly as I can and get undressed.
“You could at least turn on the light and let me watch. It would be the highlight of my night.”
Damn, I love my wife. I walk over to the bathroom and turn that light on instead so I don’t blind her with the bright light in our room. “Better?”
“Much. I missed you tonight.”
“I missed you too. Everyone sends their love and well wishes. Sawyer says put on a hazmat suit if you have to tomorrow. He wants you at his wedding.”
She laughs, and a deep rattling rumbles in her chest. “Sorry,” she gasps as she reaches for her water.
I crawl into bed with her and snuggle in close when she finishes drinking. “What are you apologizing for? You’re sick, Allie Cat.” As I finally work my way under the blanket, a thump followed by a pissed-off meow sounds out. “Shit. Sorry, Fatty. I didn’t know he was in here.”
Allie giggles and pats the bed in front of her where FB promptly plants himself. “I couldn’t bear to make him sleep alone in the garage. You know how much Sasha hates him.”
“You make a good point.”
“How was it? Tell me everything. Was it completely romantic?”
“Not as romantic as our rehearsal, but it was pretty good. I was lonely without you.”
She sighs as I kiss the back of her head. “I’m sure Rory kept you company.”
“She did, and I wonder if she’s ever going to realize Eli looks at her the way she looks at Darren. It’s pretty sad. Darren will never date my sister, but Eli could be good for her.”
Allie gasps and flips over in my arms, but she’s at least successful in not knocking the poor cat off the bed when she does. “You know?”
“About Rory’s crush on Darren? We’ve all known since she was … I don’t know … twelve?”
“Um, I was actually talking about how Eli looks at her. I thought I was the only one who noticed that. No one has ever said anything.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Fever free. That’s great, Allie. Maybe no one else notices, but I think it’s pretty obvious. Then again, I probably just recognize what it’s like to be in love with someone you’re not sure you can have.”
“You had me from the instant I saw you, Jordan. It was never a question of if, only when.”
“Forever and always, Allie.”
“Always and forever, Jordan.”