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I held back my groan. I should have prepared Melena for Chase. Or asked him to prepare some opening remarks. Andi and I were used to him barreling forward. For a guy who recently bought a Prius, he could go from conversational zero to one-hundred-ten in no time.

Melena’s laugh had an uncomfortable edge to it. “Nemitz.”

Chase nodded. “Of course, I’m sorry. Do you, Melena Nemitz, take Jimmy Torres, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Her voice was soft as she answered. “I do.”

I could feel the burn of Chase’s gaze on me as he continued, but my focus was stuck on Melena. “Do you, Jimmy Torres, take Melena Nemitz as your lawfully wedded wife?”

I smiled and traced her face with my gaze, enjoying the light blush filtering up her cheeks the more I stared. “I do.”

Chase clapped his hands together. “Great. Then by the power invested in me by—” he caught my quick negative head shake, “me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. I invite you to seal your promise with a kiss.”

We hadn’t talked about this. We hadn’t kissed since the episode in Melena’s kitchen. Could her heart handle it? My mind raced with pictures of us rushing to the ER instead of celebrating our wedding. She leaned forward, and this time I swear it was me who blacked out. If by blacked out, I mean cruised past her tempting lips and bussed her on the cheek. At our wedding. She was my wife, not a maiden aunt. I was an idiot. But I was an idiot who feared ending up in the emergency room again. Was her heart okay? I needed to check these things before just going for it. Who was Chase to tell us to kiss, anyway? What kind of reckless invitation was that? I shot him a look of outrage and missed Melena’s penetrating gaze.

Andi barely contained her snort, and I immediately regretted my actions. Melena’s hopeful expression had fallen when I turned back to see her face. Her dark eyes clouded. The cheek kiss was clearly sub-par. I’d only been a husband for a hot second, and I was failing miserably. I couldn’t let our ceremony end that way. I reached for Melena’s hands, but she’d already drawn away. Shit. I’d screwed up. I forced words out from my tight throat. “Melena!”

I couldn’t stand the disappointment in her expression. “I need a redo,” I admitted. She tilted her head. “Are you feeling okay?” She nodded. “Like, rock solid okay?” I asked again. “Heart rate all good?” She gave me a sideways glance but nodded again. “Good.”

I scooped her up in my arms, enjoying the curves I’d admired at a distance pressed against me as I dipped her back dramatically. I surprised a laugh out of her. “Don’t drop me, you dolt.”

I smacked a kiss behind her ear, and she squealed. “That’s better,” I said, as my lips zeroed in on hers. She relaxed into my embrace, and I enjoyed the soft play of her lips against mine. I took my time, exploring the cupid’s bow I loved so much, tracing it with my tongue before returning to kiss her more deeply. We were both out of breath when we broke apart and I set her down gently on her feet. “Still feeling okay?” I asked.

She nodded again. Chase clapped me on the shoulder from behind, reminding me of our audience. “Well done there, Jimmy.”

Lisa nodded from Melena’s other side. “I thought for sure you were going to botch it, but you recovered. Nice save.”

A flush crept under my skin. Not exactly how I wanted the story of today to go, but if I’d gone from botching it to a save, I’d take it. Melena didn’t pull away from my hand grasping hers, so I counted it as a win.

“Is everyone ready for lunch? I made reservations down on the pier.”

We were close enough to the restaurant that we chose to walk, and I enjoyed the sunlight playing over Melena’s hair. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her walking beside me. My wife.

Andi was subdued, but the rest of our party enjoyed a nice lunch overlooking the waterfront. The light sparkled on the water, like the Sound was smiling with us, sharing in our celebration. Even Andi seemed to have softened somewhat when she ordered a champagne toast for the table.

Her eyes met mine across the table before moving around to gaze at our party. “To my brother, Jimmy, and his new wife, Maleenay,” she said before taking a sip.

I scowled. She’d heard me pronounce Melena’s name. The slight was intentional. And rude. My hand gripped Melena’s under the table. I opened my mouth to respond, but she beat me to it.

“Thanks, Andi. It’s Ma-lean-a. You’ll be seeing a lot of me, so it’s best to get these things squared away right up front,” she said.

I was impressed. I couldn’t have said it better. I loved my sister. This was her protective vibe on full display, but it was still rude. And Melena was my wife. I owed allegiance to her now too. “Sis, Melena’s no fading flower. I’m not a pushover either. I hope you’ll wish us well.”

Andi’s eyes narrowed on Melena. “Just treat him right and we’ll be fine. I only have one brother.”

Melena smiled. “Lucky girl. I have two.”

Andi, Lisa, Chase, and Tamra excused themselves as we wrapped up the meal. I stood to give Chase a hug and he slapped me on the back. “Enjoy, buddy.”

“Thanks for officiating today, Chase.” I smiled at him. “Maybe someday I can return the favor?”

He glanced behind him to where Tamra was returning from the restroom. “Absolutely.”

Lisa wasn’t shy about getting her digs in as she left. “You take care of her, you hear? I want to gossip on Monday about the good kind of legendary kissing. Not the bad kind.”

I saluted. I was no fool.

At last we were alone. I smiled at Melena and let the quiet rumble of other conversations roll across us.