Page 57

Seven months later…

“How’s Josh feeling now, Ella?” I ask, leaning back in my chair and sipping my mimosa.

“He’s finally not moping,” she sighs.

Harlow speaks now. “He really shouldn’t blame himself. He bobbled the ball, but shit happens. It’s not his fault the Stars lost the World Series.”

“Believe me, I know,” Ella says. “I’ve been trying to cheer him up, but he’s getting there on his own. It doesn’t help, though, when Ari keeps fucking with him by saying he still didn’t get to win the World Series,” she laughs.

“Leave it to Ari,” Lucia mutters under her breath.

“You ever gonna tell us what happened between you two?” I ask.

“It’s not important. He’s just irritating.”

I just sigh and shake my head. Lucia and Ari mostly ignore each other when we’re all together, but occasionally they argue. Especially when Matt is with us, too. I don’t know what the hell happened or what Matt has to do with it, but we would all love for the animosity to stop.

It’ll be less awkward for everyone.

I grab one of the little sandwiches on the tray in front of me, taking a bite while being careful not to mess up my lipstick. We’re startled by a knock at the door, though.

Harlow runs over and speaks without opening it. “Who is it?”

“Your brother, Lo.”

I can’t help but smile, knowing my favorite person is just on the other side of the door.

“What do you need, Cole?” Harlow is standing with her arms crossed like she’s a bouncer at a club. The sight is far funnier than it should be.

“Because I want to talk to Rory.”

Harlow doesn’t move. “Seeing the bride before you get married is bad luck.”

I look at Lo and laugh. “You do remember that we’ve been married since March, right?”

“Yeah, but this is your wedding day!”

Cole’s voice cuts through the door. “She already snuck into my room this morning.”

“Cole!” I shout, face flushing.

Harlow looks at me in annoyance. “Really? You couldn’t wait until tonight to jump him again?”

“You’ve seen your brother, right?” I raise my eyebrow suggestively. “Can’t help myself around that man.”

“Ew,” she gripes. “You’re so lucky I love you, babe.”

“I’m your sister-in-law,” I smile. “You don’t have a choice.”

She shakes her head and laughs. “Go talk to your husband. But don’t let him see you. I didn’t get to see his reaction to seeing you walking down the aisle the first time since you got married without us. I want to see it this time!”

I hear Cole sigh through the door as I get up and walk over. The girls go into the back part of the room to give us some privacy.

I crack the door open, and he immediately sticks his hand through. I reach out and take it in mine.

“Hey, Sparrow.”

“Hey, Starlight.” He squeezes my hand softly. “I miss you.”

I laugh lightly. “You just saw me this morning.”

“Got to enjoy you this morning, too,” he says lowly. “And fuck did I enjoy you.”

“Your sister is still in the room, Cole.”

“Lucky for you because I’d break down this door right now and take you against it if she wasn’t.”

“Cole!”

“Sorry, can’t help myself with you, baby.”

I shake my head. “You’re insatiable.”

“Hell yeah, I am. Have you tasted yourself? Goddamn . ”

“Did you come here just to tell me how good I taste?” I tease.

“No,” he says softly, rubbing his thumb over my hand. “I just can’t wait to marry you again.”

I melt at his words. We may already be married, but Cole never goes a day without making me feel loved.

“My dad sure is trying to make up for everything, isn’t he?”

We owe all of today to my dad. Everything has been great since that night we talked, but he still feels awful for how he acted before that. To show his support for us being together, he’s paying for everything today, and he certainly went overboard.

But we let him have it. Cole and I know it means a lot to him to be able to do this for us. He doesn’t need to do anything—we’ve never held it against him, and we’ve completely forgiven him. But I’m not sure he’ll ever feel like he’s done enough to earn that.

Hopefully, we can get him to see that eventually.

“Okay,” Lucia chimes, walking over to steer me away from the door. “We’ve got less than an hour until you’re set to walk down the aisle, Pierce.” That’s directed at me, and my heart races every time I hear my new last name. “Get outta here, Cole. You’ll see her soon.”

He laughs from the other side. “You’re just rushing me off so you can walk with Ari during the recessional.”

“I am only doing that because I love both of you,” she chides before turning around and muttering something in Spanish, just like she usually does when she’s frustrated or upset.

“I’ll see you soon, Cole. I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby. I’ll be waiting for you at the altar.”

Today has been perfect so far.

Harlow got her wish during the ceremony—she got to see Cole react to seeing me walk down the aisle. And just like he did in Vegas, he had to wipe the tears from his eyes as I walked toward him, my arm looping through my dad’s. However, I’m not sure Lo could see him at all because she was crying harder than he was.

I’ve also been able to stare at my sexy husband all night.

He went with a navy three-piece suit for today. It’s slim fit and hugs his muscles, and fuck does it work on him. It was so tempting to pull him into a closet during cocktail hour.

I personally went with a white silk gown that’s fitted to my body with some small sleeves off the shoulder and a high slit. And for the first time I can remember, I forewent the shapewear when wearing something this fitted. Cole has made it abundantly clear how much he loves my body, so I have no desire to hide it from him, even under this silk.

We have our first dance to The Only Exception , and we cut the cake—I narrowly avoid the piece Cole tries to smash against my face.

Now, we have everyone on the dancefloor, and I’m taking a moment to myself as I fill my drink at the bar.

“You look beautiful tonight, Rory,” I hear as someone slides in beside me. I turn around to find Knox having joined me.

“Why thank you, Fort,” I smile.

“This is a hell of a wedding.”

“My dad is overcompensating,” I laugh. “Maybe one day he’ll realize he doesn’t need to buy our forgiveness, especially when we forgave him over half a year ago.”

“I’m sure he means well,” Knox says lightly.

I nudge him with my hip. “So, when is it going to be your turn?”

Knox’s smile is telling. “I was actually hoping you could help me with that.”

I almost drop my drink in excitement, narrowly avoiding staining my white dress with deep red wine. “What?!”

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. Lo’s already been living with me for a year anyway.”

“So you’re going to propose?!”

He chuckles. “I was trying to beat around the bush a bit, but yes. I know her ring size, but I want to make sure I picked the right style.”

“I’ve got you there, buddy,” I laugh. “Lo has an entire Pinterest board dedicated to her future wedding. I know she has rings there. I’ll send you the pictures.”

“Thanks, Rory. I knew I could count on her best friend for that.”

“At your service,” I say with a curtsy. “You know that’s going to make you my brother-in-law, right?”

“I could do worse for a sister-in-law.”

“I think that’s the closest I’m ever going to get to a compliment from you.”

Knox throws his head back in laughter. “I’ll let you get back to it. Thanks for the help, and I know it goes without saying, but please don’t breathe a word of that to Lo.”

“Your secret is safe. I promise.”

Knox says his goodbye before walking back into the crowd, smiling when he finds the woman he loves.

And I’m joined now by my husband.

“Hey there, Mrs. Pierce.”

“Hey, Mr. Pierce. Tonight has been fun.”

“It’s been great. I just spent the past twenty minutes talking to your dad and grandparents.” He softly smiles at me. “I like them.”

“I still can’t believe such sweet people birthed my mother.” I shake my head. “But I’m happy I got them out of her.”

“Ann Wory! Unky Coe!” A little voice cuts through the crowd and runs right at us.

“Sagie!” Cole booms, sweeping her into his arms as she giggles. “What are you doing?”

“Wunning fwom Daddy!”

An exhausted Lane joins us now. “How the heck can she run so quickly?! She’s not even three yet!”

“Girl’s got some speed,” I say.

“Wory, I want dance!”

“Then let’s go dance, Lovebug!”

“She’s talking about ballet lessons. Sage literally can’t stop talking about how much she loves them.”

“Daddy’s going to start taking you to ballet, Sagie!” I say, pinching her cheeks while she laughs. “Aunt Rory and Uncle Cole are going to be in Aruba on our honeymoon.”

“Yes, we are,” Cole says, looking right at me and licking his bottom lip.

I instantly heat up, fire burning all over.

Nobody has ever affected me the way my husband does.

“My daughter is in your arms, man. Keep it in your pants.” Cole laughs as Lane turns to me. “Her lessons are still with Eileen, right?”

“Actually, no,” I reply. “Do you remember when she mentioned her youngest daughter was a ballerina?”

“Yeah. She seemed sad when she was talking about it.”

“That’s her daughter Olive. She started helping out at the studio recently, and she’s taken over Sage’s lessons. You’re going to love her, Lane. She’s the absolute sweetest.”

“Good to know,” he says, scooping his daughter out of Cole’s arms. “You’re coming with me, Lovebug. I need you to pee before you have an accident in your pretty flower girl dress.”

Lane and Sage are off, leaving just Cole and me to ourselves.

Cole wraps his arms around me, placing them on my lower back as he looks down at me with the sweetest look in his eyes. “God, you’re beautiful, Rory.”

“Thank you,” I blush. “I don’t regret us eloping in Vegas, but I’m so glad we’re having a wedding now. I’m so happy we have all of our family and friends here to celebrate with us this time.”

“So am I, Starlight. But I’m also ready for this to be over.” Cole brushes his lips against my ear, whispering, “I’m ready to consummate our marriage.”

“We already did that, Sparrow,” I tease. “Back when we actually got married.”

“Can we consummate our wedding then?”

I just grin at him. “You’re so ridiculous, but God, I love you.”

“I love you, too, Rory girl.”

Cole kisses me tenderly, and suddenly, everyone else in the crowded room is gone, leaving us in our own little world, wrapped up in each other.

I fought the feelings I had for him for so long, but it was always a losing battle.

I was never going to be able to keep myself away, not when he loves me the same way I love him.

It was hard to keep us a secret, but I wouldn’t change it. It brought us to where we are now, loving each other out in the open, not having to hide a single thing.

It was all worth it to end up right where we are.

Besides, life is more fun when you live it on the restricted list.