Page 177 of Cara

Sheis my home.

Sophie

One Year Later

It’s not every day your best friends get married.

Over the past year, we have dedicated numerous days and nights to construction, building homes along the coast. Specifically, three homes: one for Bo, another for Mimi and Dante, and the last for Zeke and his beautifully large family. All Courtney had to do was hint that she wanted to stay with us, and Xavier spent six months making it happen, adding an extension to the house just for her. The land he bought while he was still running an empire is vast—a private retreat we can be ourselves in.

Today, the tools have been set aside for flowers, linen, and lace. Courtney is finishing the final alterations on Mimi’s wedding gown while Delli oversees the kitchen with Dao, one of Mimi’s friends from the school where she has recently started volunteering.

An hour ago, Xavier took Isabella for a stroll to find more hibiscus flowers to complete the wedding arch that our friends will be married under. And Bo has spent a good portion of theday unable to tear his eyes away from Dao, lingering near the kitchen even though he can’t cook; however, when I ask him for help outside, he comes right over. “What do you need?”

“I need you to hold this ladder so I don’t fall on my ass.”

“Are you insane, woman?”

“Doyouwant to do the arrangement?” I grin, climbing a few steps. “Just hold it.”

Stuffing branches of leaves between various wildflowers, I try to secure the draped satin that flipped in the wind. Mimi loves flowers, so she’ll have the best damn wedding arch imaginable. Zeke should be back any minute with the minister he drove two towns over to pick up. His kids are running wild, chasing after any insect they can find.

We hear Isabella giggling excitedly across the field. I smile as I watch her wave two handfuls of orange and red flowers. “We found some!”

Bo gasps as Isabella rushes to the ladder, dropping them on the ground so she can run to play with the others. “Good job, Izzy!”

“Yeah,no,” I hear Xavier call out disapprovingly behind me. “Get down from there.”

Bo grins as he heads toward the house, leaving me to deal with the overly protective man already reaching out to assist me. “Before you go off the handle, X, she insisted.”

“Gee, thanks, Bo.” I'm adjusting empty spaces on the way down. “Just let me?—”

“No,” Xavier says before I’ve even finished.

I look down at my husband, smiling madly.

Xavier Marcello ruled a suit, but this—tan slacks and a dress shirt that dances in the breeze—is something completely different. Maybe it’s the years the sun has gifted him, softening the sharp lines of his face and illuminating his eyes, which were once shadowed by fatigue. His tousled curls are windblown, framing a face that constantly astonishes me.

Whether we’re washing dishes after dinner or when he’s completely unguarded in sleep, I find myself staring, still not used to having him within reach. A year has flown by, and I still wake up expecting to turn over in a compound in Iceland. It makes every moment sweeter.

With outstretched arms and open hands, Xavier gestures for me to come closer. I lift my sundress to prevent tripping and descend, breathless, when my feet never touch the ground.

Giddy, I wrap my arms around his shoulders as he carries me bridal-style back to the house. His gaze falls on my swollen belly. “The doctor said to rest, Sophie.”

“I'm very rested.” I nip at his throat. “Toorested.”

His laughter fills the air, a wholehearted sound that was once unfamiliar. “Keep that up. I’ll induce you into labor.”

“I'm fine with that.”

“And miss Dante’s wedding?”

Damn. With a resigned sigh, I concede, resting my head on his shoulder as Xavier climbs the steps into the house. He gently places me under the shaded porch, cupping my face in his hands and dipping his head to kiss me.

I hear the slam of a car door.

Dante is striding toward the house, arms stretched wide, matching the massive grin on his face.

“I’m getting married today!”