Part One
“Hold it right there, you two. Don’t take another single step.”
The tone in Quinn’s voice wasn’t the kind of thing any person with an ounce of common sense ignored. Gia and I both froze, our eyes sliding to each other. Her fingers squeezed mine in what I assumed was supposed to be a gesture of reassurance.
“What’s up, Quinn? Is there something I can do for the lovely bride?” Gia turned a winsome smile on our friend.
“Cut the shit, Gia. I’m not stupid, you know.” Quinn’s hands were on her hips, and the skirt of her long dress swayed.
“Busted.” Leo, who was standing next to his bride, murmured the word, drawing out the last syllable.
“You.” She shook her finger at her new husband. “If you knew about what was going on and didn’t tell me . . . well, let’s just say you’re damn lucky that only this afternoon, I promised to love and cherish you forever.”
Quinn swung back around and pointed to me and then to Gia. “When did this start?”
In an effort to take the heat off Gia, I answered first. “Well, ah, I guess it started six years ago, when I met Gia in a bar down in Carolina and began to fall for her—”
“Six years ago?” Quinn’s eyes went round.
“But I was too stupid to stick around and act on our mutual attraction,” Gia interrupted. “We didn’t really see each other again until about a year and a half ago, when we found each other again and became friends.”
I lifted our joined fingers and kissed Gia’s hand. “And then we were more than friends.”
Her gaze never wavered from mine. “And then I broke his heart, because I thought I wasn’t good enough to love him.”
“But last fall, she made both of us whole again, and we went back to being friends and even more than that.” I slid one arm around Gia’s shoulders and tucked her close to me. “And now we’re building a house and planning our future. Together.”
Quinn stared at me and then at Gia, her lips twitching. Finally, she swung back to Leo. “And how much of this did you know?”
He held up his hands. “I only knew the friends and the more than friends part from the first time around. And the heart breaking.” He grimaced. “I had a close-up view of that one. But I had no idea they were back together.”
“Gia, why didn’t you tell me? Why did you keep this a secret?” Quinn tilted her head.
“I know I should have, and I’m sorry.” Gia shook her head. “Tate told me I should. I was wrong. I didn’t want to throw one more thing at you before the wedding.”
Quinn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Is there anything else I should know?”
I wrapped my arms around my girl, pulling her against my chest and kissing the top of her head. “Just that I love her more than anyone or anything in the world, and I plan to spend the rest of my life making her as happy as I can.” I paused. “And giving her four children, apparently.”
“At least four,” Gia corrected. “Remember, if my parents had stopped at four, I wouldn’t be here.”
“True,” I conceded. “That would be a tragedy.”
“Well, you both look like you’ve gotten a start on that tonight.” Quinn’s eyebrows rose as she looked us over. “Were you out rolling around in the sand? Hiding in the dunes?”
Gia bit her bottom lip. “I might have taken advantage of that little secret place you told me about once . . . you know, under the steps?”
Leo made a noise of outrage. “Babe, you told them about that spot?”
Quinn’s cheeks went pink. “I think it might have come out under the influence of beer.”
“Dude.” Leo wagged his head and gave me a good-natured punch in the arm, which I was sure hurt his fist more than my bicep. “Listen, if you did make a baby out there tonight, you owe me. You have to name it Leo, boy or girl. That would be only right.”
Gia closed her eyes. “No babies were made here tonight. And Leo, I love you, but no way in hell will I be naming any daughters after you.” She stepped forward and opened her arms to Quinn. “Sweetie, I really am sorry for holding out on you. It was totally my fault. When you get back from your honeymoon, we’ll go out for lunch, and I’ll tell you everything. I promise. Can you forgive me?”
Quinn tossed up her hands. “Of course. I’m thrilled for you guys—I was just surprised.” She hugged Gia. “Every detail, right?” Her eyes swept and down my body speculatively. “Because I’m thinking some of those details are pretty damn hot.”
Gia grinned. “Oh, you have no idea.”
Leo cleared his throat. “If my wife is finished making suggestive comments about one of my best friends, maybe we can get back inside? They’re waiting for us to cut the cake.” He offered Quinn his hand, and she took it, standing on her toes to kiss him as they re-entered the tent.
“Would it be small of me to do the I-told-you-so dance right now?” I whispered into Gia’s ear.
She shivered as my breath washed over her neck. “I’d say it would be unwise, if you were looking for a repeat any time soon of what we just did under the steps on the beach. I think you should just . . . kiss me and tell me how much you love me.”
Grasping her shoulders, I turned her in my arms to face me and lowered my lips to hers. “I love you madly, deeply and without end, babe. And even though I was right about telling Quinn, you’ll never hear me say a word about it.”
Then, because I really was learning about the wisdom of listening to her advice, I kissed the woman whose love made my life complete.
Hey, I might be just a football player who never claimed to be that smart, but as it happens, the same rule applies in love as it does on the field: when you make a catch, hold on tight and never let it go.