Page 56 of Fierce Love (Tucker Billionaires)

Chapter Forty-Six

Hollyn

I ’ve never been to a wedding of one of Bellerive’s elite before. Nate’s prom was the closest I came to that sort of luxury when we were dating in high school.

To think, since Posey and I are trying to get our own company started, with tiers of service for different economic brackets, she’s scaled back her wedding costs, and it’s still this luxurious.

Securing a building, paying for branding, and being mindful of money is at the top of both of our minds with our new company.

While I do have some funds from the TV show that I can use, Bellerive is an expensive country to live in and to source design materials.

I’m also still reluctant to let Nate pay for anything that has to do with Kinsley, so sometimes my money feels tighter than it could if I wasn’t so stubborn.

Even scaled back, there are a lot of people milling around the hotel’s estate when we arrive.

Rather than getting married at the royal palace, Posey’s mom, who used to be the king’s secretary, called in some favors, and Posey and Brent are getting married at the oceanfront resort that’s been a celebrity hotspot the last few years.

Posey said she wanted to get married by the ocean because it reminded her of how she and Brent met in the first place.

“This is nice,” Gage says as he and Ember arrive outside the front of the huge white-and-black stucco hotel, a valet whisking their vehicle off behind ours.

“Nice?” Ember snorts. “A couple of years ago, I would have called this insanely luxurious.”

“But not anymore?” Gage asks, and I can hear the hint of teasing in his voice. My favorite part of hanging around with him and Ember has become how clearly and dearly he loves her. He reminds me so much of Nate in those moments that I sometimes forget how much of a hellion he was as a little kid.

“No, it’s still insanely luxurious,” Ember says. “I’ve just gotten a bit more used to this ridiculous wealth.”

“I don’t know if you can ever really get used to it when you’re coming into it from the outside,” I say.

“I guess I’ll find out,” she says. “Got a few more years to see what I think.” Now her tone is teasing.

“Or,” Gage says, tugging her into his side, “the rest of your life. Remember, you’re mine forever. Even the Bellerive courts agreed.” He fiddles with the ring on her finger as a reminder, and she leans into him, placing a hand on his chest.

Nate seems fixated on her ring for a minute, and when I nudge him, he gives me a little smile. “Smug marrieds,” he says quietly.

We’ve been watching old movies in the downtime we’ve had since filming ended. Bridget Jones amused him a lot, whereas I loved Love Letters from Spain with Wyatt Burgess and Ellie Cooper—gave me all the angsty longing now that I’m not experiencing it myself.

A car pulls up behind us, and Dalton Worthington and Sawyer are in it. Dalton hops out of the car and circles to open the door for Sawyer before the valet can get there.

“I hear he’s going to make her wife number three,” Gage says.

“Does Sawyer know that?” Nate asks, and I can hear an edge in his voice. He hasn’t said anything bad about Dalton, but Nate’s been reserved around him, as though he doesn’t quite feel comfortable with him. If I didn’t know Nate so well, I probably wouldn’t even have noticed.

“Maren does,” Ember says, “and she’s big mad.”

That elicits a chuckle from Nate. “For someone who’s on the cusp of getting remarried, she’s got big feelings about people who’ve been married more than once.”

“I mean,” Gage says with a little laugh, “you have to admit that having two divorces is a bit more than unlucky. I’m never getting divorced.”

“It does take the gloss out of the old adage that ‘you know when you know’ if you’ve ‘known’ two previous times,” Nate agrees.

“Sawyer told me,” I say, “that he’s driven and determined, and not everyone can handle someone like that.”

“As long as he’s not sacrificing her on the altar of his needs,” Nate says. “And, I don’t know… my dad and Alex have been trying to talk her into getting involved in the World Hockey League team coming to the island next year, and she keeps turning the job down, citing Dalton’s distaste for it.”

He’s not wrong to be cautious. In the few months since I’ve been back in Bellerive, there’s definitely been a change in Sawyer. She’s gone from fairly bubbly to more reserved and serious, which I thought was tied to Dalton’s increased political profile.

“Either way, I can’t see marriage being something Sawyer would rush into,” I say.

“Oh, that’s me. Guilty,” Gage says, partially raising his hand. “Very, very guilty on that one. To be fair, not all rush jobs are bad deals. I can’t complain about how it’s worked out.”

“You’d better not,” Ember says with a laugh. “I’m standing right here.” He loops his arm around her and kisses her temple.

Sawyer and Dalton have finished talking to a few other people who approached them as soon as they arrived.

I’m surprised at how covered up Sawyer is for such a hot day, but she told me that Dalton’s vibe is sophisticated elegance.

She certainly looks the part today in her high-neck pale-pink dress that covers her arms to the wrists.

Her short dark hair is pulled back in a neat, low ponytail.

“Shall we?” Sawyer says, gesturing to the pathway that’ll lead through the hotel to the outdoor seating.

Posey’s given me all the wedding details the last few weeks while we’ve been planning our company’s launch.

I could probably walk someone through every aspect of the day ahead of us without hesitation.

Nate takes my hand, raising the back of it to his lips as we walk toward our seats.

My stomach flutters at the contact. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time I spend with him—the smallest gesture still makes me swoon.

Since Kinsley is at Ember and Gage’s place with Henry, Nova, and Michelle, the nanny, we’ll have the house to ourselves.

“I love you so much,” I whisper as we find our seats.

Nate presses a kiss to the side of my head and guides me into my spot beside Ember. Sawyer and Dalton file in behind us so he’s on the outside, able to stand up and talk to people as they find their seats.

The royals arrive and are seated near the front. Posey has told me that they’re like family since she and her sister were raised on the royal estate. With her sister married to one of the princes, I suppose they’re literal family now.

Soon everyone is settled, and the music begins to play for Posey to come down the aisle.

When she emerges from the hotel, instead of looking at the bride, I focus on Brent.

To me, the reaction of the groom is always the most telling for the success of a marriage. What’s his expression when he sees her?

The absolute contentment on Brent’s face is a good sign. No hint of nerves. No whiff of uncertainty. I’ve been around them a lot the last few weeks, and I’d have been surprised if there was, but I’m still relieved that what I saw before today is still there.

Posey is radiant as she walks past us in a gown that looks more princessy than I expected the first time she showed me a photo, gaze fixed on Brent. The rest of us are just decoration, really. The two of them probably could have gotten married in front of no one and been just as happy.

But Posey does love a party. And decorating. So the big wedding makes sense, and maybe the fairy-tale dress does too.

As we listen to their vows, Nate keeps squeezing my hand, and a few times, he brushes a kiss along my shoulder and my temple. It’s funny how watching someone else get married can make you feel more connected to your own partner when what you’re watching just feels right.

On the dance floor, Nate and I are swaying to the music.

I have my cheek pressed to his chest, and his lips are close to my ear while he whispers all the things he loves about me.

Bourbon swirls around me in the air. Our favorite game in close quarters or in a dark room is all the ways that you’re the one for me .

His big hand is caressing my back, and I’ve never felt so safe or cared for.

Every day, he sets the standard for this relationship higher, challenges me to rise to his level.

Marriage and kids and a very long future stretch out before us, and instead of feeling anxious about any of it, I’m welcoming it with open arms. On a deep, soul level, we’re meant for each other.

Maybe that hypothetical Nate made up the first night we met is true—our souls have known each other across multiple lifetimes.

“What do you say?” Nate asks, lacing his fingers with mine. “Head home?”

The party is in full swing, but as usual lately, the thought of being alone with Nate is much more appealing. Even in a room this crowded, we seem able to create our own bubble of happiness.

Part of me still can’t believe that we’ve ended up together. I keep waiting for an earthquake to hit and shake our newly poured foundation. But it really feels like we’re unshakeable now, that no matter what comes at us, we can tackle it together.

“Going home with you is my absolute most favorite thing,” I say, rising on my toes to give him a quick kiss.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says, and he takes my hand to lead me through the hotel to the main entrance. With his other hand, he’s got his phone out, his thumb flying across the letters.

“Who are you texting?” I ask.

“Bill. He’s driving the family around tonight. I’ve had too many drinks.”

“Oh, okay.” I hadn’t been counting, but if he feels like it’s too much, having a driver is exceptionally handy.

We slide into the back of the waiting car, and Nate draws me into a kiss, putting up the partition between Bill and us.

“What are you up to, Nate Tucker?” I ask with a little laugh.

“Soon,” he says with a sly smile, “I’ll be worshipping you at home. But I need to grab something from Cal’s place first.”