~Jace~
“Let me do this,” Levi says as he fiddles with Wyatt’s bowtie.
“My hands are shaking,” Wyatt admits, taking a deep breath and looking up so Levi can fix the mess Wyatt made. “Why is it so hard?”
“Tying the tie, or getting married?” I ask with a grin.
“Both. We should have just gone to the Justice of the Peace and got it all over with.”
“Right, because Mom would have been okay with that,” Levi says.
“Not to mention Lia,” I add.
“She has a whole camera crew here, taking photos and videos of her getting ready for her YouTube channel,” Wyatt says with a proud smile. “She’s not sharing the ceremony or reception, of course. But she thought it would be fun to share the process of getting ready with her followers.”
“The women will eat that shit up,” Levi agrees. “She’s a smart woman.”
“So smart,” Wyatt agrees. “Do you have the rings, Jace?”
“For the sixth time, I have them,” I reply.
Wyatt nods, and Levi finishes the tie, then pours all of us a shot of whiskey. “I think we could all use this.”
“To Wyatt,” I say, holding my glass in the air. We clink glasses and then down the shots. The whiskey burns down my throat, immediately making me feel warm and a bit calmer. I don’t know why the hell I’m nervous. I guess Wyatt’s rubbing off on me.
“Do you have the rings?” Wyatt asks me. Again.
I pat down my jacket, the pockets of my pants, and turn to Levi. “Do you have them?”
“No,” Levi replies, laughter in his eyes. “I thought you did.”
“Huh.” I frown and pat my tux again, then look around the room. “I swear they’re here somewhere.”
“What the hell?” Wyatt demands, and Levi and I both laugh, fist-bumping each other. “That isn’t funny.”
“For the last time, I have the rings. I promise. I’m a doctor for Christ’s sake, I think I can manage to not lose your wedding rings.”
“Right.” Wyatt takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. “I wish Amelia would let me see her before the ceremony.”
“Isn’t that bad luck?” Levi asks.
“Some people do that first-look thing for photographs. But Amelia wanted to wait.”
“I think it’s nice.” I pat Wyatt on the shoulder. “And you’re going to be great.”
“Okay,” he blows out another gusty breath and walks to his suitcase. He and Lia are staying here at the vineyard tonight before leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow. He pulls out a wrapped box and a card. “I have something for you to take to her.”
“I’ll be back.”
I carry the box to the other side of the inn where the bridal suite is. Amelia’s cousin, Dominic Salvatore, owns the vineyard. It’s a beautiful spot for a wedding.
I knock on the door. “It’s Jace. I have a delivery for the bride.”
The door swings open to a flurry of activity. Wyatt wasn’t kidding about the video crew. There are several cameras and even a boom mic in the room.
But more than that, there are about thirty people. Amelia’s bridal party is small, with just her sister Anastasia and cousin Jules standing up with her. But she has a whole squad of women chatting and laughing, doing hair and makeup, and drinking champagne.
“Oh, Lia,” Jules says with a smile. “You have a surprise.”
I walk into the room and grin when Lia turns to me. She’s in an absolutely gorgeous white gown. It’s strapless with plenty of sparkle, and it hugs her curves down to her thighs before it flows out.
I’m sure the style has a name, but I couldn’t say what it is.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in all the land today,” I say as I lean in to kiss her cheek. “My brother is a lucky son of a bitch.”
She smiles widely, her eyes lighting up when she sees the wrapped box in my hand.
“This is obviously for you.”
“Photographer,” Anastasia says, looking around. “You’ll want to catch this.”
“This isn’t for my YouTube channel,” Amelia says to another woman standing by. “Please don’t record this.”
“No problem.”
She opens the card first, reading silently. When she gets to the bottom, she covers her mouth and sniffles.
“No crying,” Jules says. “Your makeup is perfect.”
“I know,” Lia says with one last sniffle as she puts the card back into its envelope. “I’m not sharing that. It’s too personal.”
I smile, proud of my brother for finding a woman who has found the balance of living a public life and valuing the things she wants to keep close to her heart.
Lia pulls the ribbon free, opens the box, and the room gasps at the pair of diamond earrings inside.
“Fucking hell,” Anastasia says, and the others nod in agreement. “Lia, those match your dress perfectly.”
“Looks like I have the perfect earrings for today,” Lia says with a grin and immediately turns to the mirror to pin them to her ears. They dangle and sparkle beautifully in the light.
“I’m so glad you’re having an evening wedding,” Jules says. “These earrings are going to sparkle like crazy.”
Lia blinks rapidly, warding off tears, and reaches for another wrapped box and card.
“This is for Wyatt.”
“I’ll deliver it now. See you soon.”
I wave to the ladies and hurry back to the groom’s suite where Wyatt and Levi are laughing.
“Have you been drinking more without me?”
“Only one shot,” Wyatt says. “What did she say? How does she look?”
“You choked her up, and she’s wearing your gift today. She looks like a bride, and that’s all you’ll get out of me.”
He smiles proudly, then frowns when I pass him the gift. “We weren’t exchanging presents.”
I roll my eyes. “Clearly, you both broke that rule.”
He opens the card, reads it, and grins from ear to ear when he puts it away. But when he opens the gift, he gasps.
“What is it?” Levi asks just as our mom and dad walk into the room.
“A watch,” he says, shaking his head. “A very expensive watch.”
“Is she telling you that you’re always late?” I ask, earning a slap on the arm from my mom.
“He’s not late,” she says and then kisses my cheek. “Oh, my boys look so handsome.”
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” I reply with a smile, tucking her into my side. “How’s it going out there?”
“It’s beautiful,” Mom gushes. “Oh, my goodness, Wyatt, this wedding is just amazing. There are so many people bustling about, getting everything just so.”
“Are you guys in here?” Joy asks, poking her head around the door. She rode with my parents, but I’ll be taking her home with me later. “Sorry, I had to make a pit stop.”
“Hey.” I hurry to her, take her hand, and lead her into the room, excited to see her.
“This might be the fanciest party I’ve ever been to,” she says with a laugh. “And trust me, this guy has taken me to plenty of fancy parties.” She hitches a thumb in my direction.
“You are magnificent,” I say, taking in her emerald green gown and black heels. Her hair is down, framing her face in loose curls. But it’s her smile that always stops me in my tracks. “It’s not right to be more beautiful than the bride.”
“Now I know you’re lying,” she says with a laugh and moves in to offer Wyatt a hug. “Hey there, handsome. You look great. Are you nervous?”
“Nah, Levi’s been feeding me whiskey.”
“Levi!” Mom exclaims.
“What? It calmed his nerves, didn’t it?”
“Don’t worry, I’m done drinking,” Wyatt says. “And we have fifteen minutes, so we should make our way out there.”
“Let’s go,” Dad says, leading us through the inn and out to the area where they’ve set up about two hundred chairs for the ceremony. The reception will be held in a massive tent about a hundred yards away. It’s already lit up, the tables set, and I can see several people bustling about inside, putting the finishing touches in place.
Dad escorts Joy to their chairs down in front. Joy is my date, and she’s been close to my family for years, so she’s sitting with Mom and Dad.
I’d have it no other way.
The guests are seated, with a few stragglers hurrying in to find their seats. But before long, the music starts. Levi walks in first, then I escort Mom to her seat and join Levi at the front.
Wyatt follows behind me, waiting nervously next to me as the music changes, and the girls start to make their way in.
Two little girls in matching white dresses drop rose petals down the aisle. Rather than make Stella and Olivia stand through the ceremony, they sit with their parents in the first row.
Jules walks in next, followed by Anastasia. The dresses they’re in are the same color pink but different styles.
And, finally, the music changes once more, and everyone stands to see Amelia as she’s escorted in by her dad.
I know this is especially exciting for Lia. Her dad had a massive heart attack last year. I performed the surgery that saved his life, and I’m happy that he’s here to give his daughter away to my brother.
I glance over at Wyatt, who has tears in his eyes. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her if he tried.
And I can’t blame him. I find Joy, sitting in the front row next to Mom, and smile when I see that she’s watching me. I wink at her, and she winks back.
When Amelia and her dad reach Wyatt, the pastor asks, “Who gives this woman to this man?”
“Her mother and I do.”
I’m an idiot.
Joy is dancing, having the time of her life, and I see green.
Of course, it doesn’t help that she’s dancing with Will Montgomery. I’ve met him a few times since my brother became engaged to his cousin, and I can admit he’s a nice guy. Very down to earth and friendly despite being the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. He’s happily married, and he and his wife are expecting their second child sometime after the new year.
But he has his hands on my Joy, and that makes me want to punch him in the face.
He twirls her out, then back to his body, making her laugh.
And I’ve had just about enough of that.
I set down my beer and walk onto the dance floor, tapping Will on the shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in?”
“Sure,” he says with a grin. “Nice to meet you, Joy.”
“You, too,” she says as I pull her into my arms and move her around the floor. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I wanted to dance with you.”
“But that was Will Montgomery. My favorite football player of all time.”
“Yes.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Will fucking Montgomery.”
“I’ve met him. He’s happily married, you know.”
“I don’t care,” she says, staring at me like I just told her, well, that Will Montgomery isn’t a big deal. “I don’t want to marry him, I just wanted to dance with him.”
“And you did. Luke Williams and Leo Nash are here, too.”
“I know,” she says with a grin. “I’m too intimidated to talk to Leo Nash. Remember when I made you go to their concert when we were finishing our undergrad?”
“You didn’t make me.”
“They weren’t your favorite. But you still went, and it was awesome.”
“I’m sure Leo wouldn’t mind if you said hello.”
“But you would mind if I danced with him.”
I shrug and brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’d rather be the only man touching you. Is that wrong?”
“No, I suppose not. If any of these girls tried to touch you, I’d cut them.”
Her voice is completely calm, which makes it even funnier. I laugh and sweep her in a circle, enjoying the way she smiles smugly. As it seems it always is when she’s within twenty yards of me, my dick is twitchy, completely aware that she’s near.
I can’t keep my hands off her.
Not that she’s complained.
I cup her face in my hand and lean in to brush my lips over hers, lightly at first, then sinking in, claiming her in front of everyone.
“You don’t have to worry about any of these women,” I assure her. “I don’t even see them.”
“Wow,” she breathes. “You did that here.”
“I’ll do it anywhere.”
She swallows, then watches my mouth as I continue dancing her across the floor. “I guess I’m just surprised that you’d kiss me in front of all of your family.”
“Why?”
“They’ll ask questions.”
“So? Let them. I don’t have anything to hide. I’m not ashamed of you, Joy. You’re the most amazing person in my life.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and she smiles shyly, the way she used to when we were in school, and I’d tell her how fucking smart she was.
When the song ends, someone taps a glass, getting everyone’s attention. I escort Joy back to our seats, not oblivious to the smiles directed at us by my parents.
They’ve wanted me to date Joy for years.
“I’d like to start the speeches,” Amelia’s dad begins, and for the next twenty minutes or so, we listen to him speak, along with her brother, Archer, and her sister.
Then, it’s our turn.
My dad isn’t much of a public speaker, so he left this task up to us.
Which is totally fine.
Levi and I stand, and before we do anything, we pick up our shot glasses, clink them together, and slam the whiskey. As the audience laughs, we fist-bump each other and then get down to business.
“I’m Jace, the handsome one.”
“And I’m Levi, the favorite.”
“Where does that leave Wyatt?” I ask the audience, glancing at my baby brother, who’s already laughing. “Well, he’s the baby.”
“He might also be the smartest of all of us,” Levi says, “because, well, look at this beautiful woman that he talked into marrying him.”
More laughter.
“I mean, he stalked her at first,” I continue and gesture to Levi, “despite having a cop for a brother.”
“I don’t think that’s fair,” Levi says, shaking his head and putting on a great show. “Technically, he just had a crush on his neighbor.”
“Well, I’m grateful that it turned out to be mutual and that you didn’t have to arrest him.”
“Fair enough,” Levi says with a nod. “In all seriousness, I would like to say thank you, Amelia. Thank you for loving our brother and for reminding him how to trust.”
“Welcome to the Crawford family, sweetheart.”
There are applause and hugs, and then, much to our surprise, Will Montgomery stands and asks for the mic.
“Hi, everyone. I haven’t met all of Wyatt’s family yet, so I’ll introduce myself. I’m Will Montgomery, and I’m Lia’s cousin. I just have a couple things to say.
“I had a feeling about you two from the beginning.”
He winks at Lia, making her blush, and Wyatt busts up laughing. I make a mental note to ask him later what the inside joke is.
I glance over at Joy, who’s hanging on Will’s every word.
I’ll get her naked later and remind her who, exactly, she has a crush on.
“I know the journey you’ve taken to get to this moment, Lia, and I just want to say, on behalf of my whole family, how very proud of you we are. You’re strong, successful, smart, and you manage to do all of that and be a kind woman, despite what you’ve been through. You deserve this happiness, today and every day. You’ve come a long way, baby.”
He lifts his glass, and we all follow suit.
“To Amelia and Wyatt.”
“To Amelia and Wyatt!”
Joy sighs just before she takes a sip of her champagne.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing.”
“I’m sitting right here,” I remind her.
“I’m sorry, but it’s Will Montgomery.”
I take a sip of my drink, watching her over the rim. Finally, I lean in and whisper in her ear, “In about two hours, I’m going to strip you naked and fuck you so hard you won’t remember your own name, let alone Will Montgomery’s. You’ll be screaming and begging for more.”
“If this is the response I get from a harmless crush, I’ll do it more often.”
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Mom asks from across the table. She’s happy today, with a perma-smile on her pretty face. “You should share with the table.”
“This isn’t your classroom,” I remind her. “And I’m not a fourth-grader.”
“Jace was just telling me that you might actually retire this year, Melody,” Joy says with a smile and lays her hand on my thigh. She gives it a squeeze, and I’m grateful that the table’s there to hide my hard-on.
“This is the year,” Mom says with a nod. “It’s time. Thirty years as a teacher is plenty.”
“You’ll be missed,” Joy replies.
“But I’ll be happy to have her home with me,” Dad says, pulling Mom in to kiss her cheek. “It’s time to start traveling and enjoying our nest egg.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Joy says with a smile. “Enjoy each other. That’s what it’s all about.”
“How is your practice going, dear?” Mom asks Joy.
“It’s great. I brought in two more doctors last year because I just couldn’t keep up with it by myself anymore.”
“Her office is awesome,” I add, proud of the woman next to me. “She remodeled the place, and it’s gorgeous. Also, she makes fresh cookies in the lobby for the clients.”
“I need to get myself a dog,” Levi says with a wink.
“The cookies make the place smell better,” she insists. “And, sometimes, a girl needs a chocolate chip cookie.”
“Makes sense to me,” Mom says. “And I just want to say, it’s nice to see you two together. Levi tells me you’ve been spending quite a bit of time together.”
“We’ve been friends for years,” I remind her softly, but Mom just shrugs a shoulder.
“I’m not getting any younger,” she says. “Would it kill you to marry this girl and make me happy?”
Joy spits out her champagne, and I just hide my face in my hand.
My mom doesn’t have an issue with saying what’s on her mind.
I never had a problem with that until today.
I glance over at Levi, who’s laughing and eating his prime rib, happy to be out of the line of fire.
“Are you dating anyone?” I ask him.
“Nope.” His grin is smug.
“Let’s work on that and get them off my back.”
“No way, this is way too much fun.”