Chapter 25
I slip on my white, linen shirt and look out over the ocean. I’m so relieved that Harley wanted us casual on the beach. I got a glimpse of Laney and almost swallowed my tongue. That woman was made to wear a short dress. Her hair was pulled off her face and her neck looked so long with such a deep neckline. I picture Katrina in something like that and have to breathe deeply to get Lennon Jr to chill out.
Max walks into the bedroom with his shirt open. “You have to button that thing up. Pretty sure Harley won’t want Lane watching you the whole ceremony.”
“It pisses me off that you can pull off the white linen.” I laugh and button up my shirt. I leave it hanging out over the linen pants.
“Are you trying to say I look sexy? Thanks, man.” Max joins me on the balcony. “Hard to believe the last time so many people were in this house was right after we lost Dell. Now we’re here for Harley’s wedding. Life sure does come full circle.”
“You met Rachel here.” I pat him on the shoulder. “It always felt a little like Della sent her to us.”
“You met Katrina here, sort of.” Max laughs. “Her pain in the ass was sitting at my feet out in the front yard, refusing to leave until I gave her an exclusive. Now she’s a part of us.”
“She’s still a pain in the ass,” I smile out at the ocean. “I hope she’ll stay a part of us. She’s had some pretty great job offers since we got back.”
“Don’t let her go. It’s simple. You love her, tell her to stay. Hell, go with her. Love’s worth the sacrifice. You’re a part of Liquid Regret, regardless of where you live.” Max throws his arm around me. “You’ve changed the most out of all of us this year. Della would be really proud of you.”
“She’d be proud of all of us.”
“Are you assholes ready?” Damien yells from the door.
“Most of us,” Max laughs.
I follow D’Rey and Max down the steps to the first floor. Harley is pacing but relaxes when he sees us. Personally, I think it’s Harley who has changed the most. He walked through hell and clawed his way back into the light. He gave up his vices and fell in love for the second time. He moved from the house where he lost Della and made a life with Laney. It’s a life that includes Della because that’s the kind of person Laney is.
“Let’s get you married.” I give Harley a hug.
We head down the steps that lead to the private beach. About twenty people wait for us at the bottom. I see Katrina right away. Her pink dress fits her body like a glove. I can’t wait to get her alone. I haven’t seen her for two days. I’ve spent almost every night at her place but I needed to come home to help Harley with everything for the wedding. I’ve contemplated asking her to move in with me. I have a huge house and I’m the only one there. Part of me thinks it’s too soon but the other part just wants to be with her all the time. I’m also afraid she’ll turn me down because of how much she loves living with Ray. Then there’s Enzo. The dude never leaves her apartment. At first I thought it was nice that she had someone so concerned about her wellbeing. Now, he’s just a pain in the ass.
She smiles at me and I wink back. We’ve kept this wedding a secret so the exclusive is hers. I shouldn’t be happy about this since it will probably lead to another job offer. Max is right, though. I won’t let her leave without a fight. If she still insists on going somewhere, I’ll be right behind her.
I need to tell her I love her. I’ve told her she’s wrecked me and I said I was falling for her. She’s repeated the same but hearing her say the words will probably bring me to my knees. I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman. The thought of that blows my mind. Two months ago, I was sleeping with everyone and the thought of loving someone was just ridiculous. Today, I’d propose if it meant not losing her.
I turn to watch Laney walk down the stairs with Mia. They both look gorgeous. The old Chance tried to sleep with both of them. I laugh to myself. I was such an asshole. These women are now like sisters to me. That’s the way it was supposed to be.
Harley’s face lights up when he sees Lane. Their love is so apparent when you look at them. I wonder if I look at Kat the same way.
“She’s gorgeous,” Harley whispers next to me. I turn to answer but he isn’t talking to me. When the wind picks up, I wonder if he’s talking to Della. I smile knowing she’s ok with this, too.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re here on this beautiful evening to celebrate the love of Griffin Miles and Adelaine Jones. Harley has asked me to make this quick.” We laugh as the minister looks between Harley and Lane. “Harley, do you take Laney to be your wife, to honor and cherish her, to protect and be kind, to be a true and loyal friend and a faithful husband, through sorrow and success, to be her greatest fan and toughest adversary, and be a sanctuary of warmth and peace until you are parted by death?”
I watch Harley fight back his tears. “I do.”
“And Laney, do you take Harley to be your husband, to honor and cherish him, to protect and be kind, to be a true and loyal friend and a faithful wife, through sorrow and success, to be his greatest fan and toughest adversary, and be a sanctuary of warmth and peace until you are parted by death?”
“I do,” Laney’s voice is strong and her smile is radiant.
I look at Katrina and she’s staring at me. Tears flow freely down her cheeks and I get emotional. I have to blink back my tears. I’m so overcome by the emotions of the wedding and the love I see in Kat’s eyes. This is what I want someday, right here in this exact spot, with my brothers at my side, pledging my life to her.
“By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now declare that you are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The kiss is passionate and I cheer along with the rest of the guys. Max puts his hand on my shoulder and I look over at him and smile. He’s next. He may not realize it but the look on Rachel’s face says it all. I imagine I’ll be wearing a tux for that one. Callum Maxwell is cut from a different cloth than the rest of us. And Rachel has a huge family that lives out of town. There’s no way I’ll get away with wearing linen pants to that one. I wink at Rachel as she catches me staring at her. Their wedding will be the event of the year.
Harley helps Laney back up the narrow stairway leading back to Max’s estate. Katrina follows with her camera to get a few photos to ‘leak’ to the press once her story goes live. I watch her ass as she walks away. That dress is fitted like it was painted on her by the most talented artist in the world. I can’t wait to peel it off her when this is over.
“You’re next,” I lean toward Max and whisper.
“I think you’re next,” he laughs and points at Katrina. Her camera is aimed at me from the top of the stairs. I give her the patented smolder and she laughs. “I think you’ll be married long before I am, my friend.”