Page 36

CHAPTER 36

ROMAN

“ Y ou gotta stop pacing, man,” Hollis says. “You’re making me dizzy.”

“She said they were on their way fifteen minutes ago. Shouldn’t they be here by now?” I’ve read over Lexi’s contract four times, and Hollis had a lawyer friend check it over, too. Marrying her is the best way to keep her job safe. I love her, and I would do anything to protect her.

“I’ll check the family circle.” Hollis had Peggy add him as soon as I mentioned it last time. He consults his phone, which I could have done if I wasn’t stressing so hard. “Based on Aurora’s phone location, they’re two minutes out.”

“Okay. Good. That’s good.” I check my breast pocket for the engagement ring and wedding ring. I went shopping for both after practice this morning. It was a challenge not to show Donnie what happens to people who cross me when I saw him talking to Vander Zee before I left. But we’re so close to having what we want, and with that comes a weight lifted.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous in my life.” Hollis is infuriatingly calm.

“I’ve never been married before.” My anxiety is at an all-time high, but I’m not afraid. I just want this to be perfect. I want her. I want her to be mine. No reservations.

My phone buzzes, and I almost drop it. What if she changes her mind?

It’s not a message from Lexi or Aurora, though. It’s from Vander Zee and Fielding. “Fuck.”

Hollis straightens. “Are the girls okay?”

“They’re fine. Vander Zee and Fielding want to see me tomorrow morning.”

“It could be about anything.”

“Maybe, but I saw Donnie talking to Vander Zee after practice.”

“You’ll be married within the hour, Roman. It’s legal and binding. So whatever the meeting is about, Lexi should be covered.”

“I fucking hope so.” But no matter what happens, I’ll take care of her. Of the girls. We’ll be partners. She won’t have to go through this alone.

Peggy messages to let me know they’ve arrived. I try not to sweat through my tux as Hollis and I take our places at the front of the room. The music begins, and Callie is first to walk down the aisle, all smiles and adorableness in her mint-green dress. She rushes over and gives me a big hug as Fee comes in after her. Dred is next, and her smile is wider than I’ve ever seen it. And then Peggy appears. She looks beautiful. Hollis can’t take his eyes off her, and I’m sure he’s imagining what his own wedding will be like.

My mind trips on that for a moment, but then Lexi appears, and I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest. She’s just so gorgeous in her blush-colored dress, hair cascading over her shoulder in a braid woven with flowers, a bouquet of lilies clasped in her hands. Today is without a doubt one of the best days of my life, because this stunning woman, who I can trust with my heart in a way I never have with anyone else, is about to be mine .

I must take an unconscious step toward her because Hollis puts his hand on my chest.

Lexi’s smile lights up the entire room. “I’m coming for you,” she calls out with a saucy wink.

“I’m ready for you.” My answering grin widens with every step she takes. I hold out my hand when she’s within reach, and she slips her fingers into my palm.

Peggy takes her flowers, and I kiss the back of Lexi’s hand. “You look radiant.”

“You look devastatingly handsome,” she whispers.

“I love you.” I kiss her bare ring finger.

“I love you, too,” she echoes.

“Before we get this party started, I have something for you.”

“Okay.” Her eyes light up with the same excitement I feel.

I pull the small velvet box from my breast pocket. “I know I already asked, and you already said yes, but I didn’t have a ring.” I drop to one knee in front of her and flip the box open. The emerald-cut diamond, set in rose gold, nestled in the velvet cushion, glints in the light.

“Oh, Roman.” Her eyes flare and her fingers go to her lips.

“Alexandria, you are a force and the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Since the moment we met, my heart knew it belonged to you. Will you allow me the honor of loving you for the rest of our lives? Will you marry me?”

“Yes, Roman.” Her smile is soft and warm. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted. It would be the most wonderful honor to marry you.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” I slide the ring onto her trembling finger.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

“You’re beautiful,” I whisper back.

Dred hands Lexi a tissue when she fans her face.

“Thank you.”

“We got you, girl.” Dred steps back with a soft smile .

Lexi dabs under her eyes, then tucks the tissue away in a hidden pocket.

“Okay.” She takes a steadying breath. “I’m ready.”

“Me, too.” I wink, and she laughs.

The justice of the peace smiles. “Now we can proceed.”

I hold Lexi’s hands. I’ve never felt so steady, so sure of anything. Lexi is what my heart has been missing.

I barely listen to the officiant as I soak in the woman before me—so beautiful, so inspiring in every way. And she’s about to be my wife. Mine to have, hold, and protect. And then no one can fuck with her. Not Donnie, not the head office. Not Fielding or Vander Zee.

When it’s time for her vows, Lexi grips my hands tightly and exhales a steadying breath. “You are the most incredible man, and your heart is one of the most beautiful things about you. It is an honor to be loved by you, and even more of an honor to love you. I will guard your inner most thoughts like they’re my own. Your soft spots and gentleness will always be protected. When you’re trying to hold everyone together, I will remind you that you are always more than enough and that you are so very loved. I promise that I will do everything in my power to be deserving of the love you give so freely and without reservation. I will always stand by your side, and no matter what challenges we face, we’ll do it together. And I promise to be your partner and your confidant, your friend and your strongest ally, your very best student, and your most supportive coach.”

I smirk, and she grins and blushes.

Hollis coughs into the crook of his elbow, and Peggy snickers.

“From this day forward, until the end of this lifetime and whatever lies beyond, I take you, Roman Hammerstein, to be my husband, my soul mate, my forever.”

With unsteady hands, Lexi slides the ring onto my finger. I start to pull the cue card from my pocket but decide to speak from the heart. That’s what brought me here today.

“Lexi, I will never forget the moment I met you. You lit up the world for me. And for years I thought you would forever be a memory. But then you came back to me, and I realized that the space in my heart was waiting for you to fill it again. I promise to love you, to cherish and revere you, to keep you safe, to be your partner, your best friend, your confidant, your cheerleader, your student, and your coach. Whatever you need, I will be it for you, because you’re it for me. I am whole with you, and wholly in love with every part of you. From this day forward, until my very last breath, I take you, Alexandria Forrester, to be my wife, my soul mate, my one and only.”

I slide the wedding band onto her finger. “My wife.”

The officiant barely had time to make the pronouncement before I sealed our vows with a kiss. Alexandria is mine.