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Chapter twenty-one

Hazel

“Cashlynn, I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, but I’m so grateful I’ve earned the right to spend the rest of my life with you.

You have made me a better man, a better brother, and I promise to be the best husband to you that I can be…

as long as you promise to never unplug the appliances in our house ever again. ”

I fight back my laughter, reaching up to wipe the tear from my cheek with my free hand, the other holding my bouquet.

I’m standing beside my new sister-in-law as one of her bridesmaids, so incredibly proud of my brother and everything he has overcome to get to this moment with the woman who is perfect for him.

The look on his face can only be described as pure joy, the kind of joy that makes you want to be infected by it as well.

The sun is setting over the ocean in the distance as the ceremony comes to a close on the beach just outside the main cove in our town. Cashlynn insisted they get married by the water, and I can’t blame her. Staring at the water on our coast never gets old.

“ Parker, you helped make my dreams come true before you ever really knew me.” Cashlynn dabs under her eyes with a tissue.

“Your generous heart, your strength and intelligence, and your unconditional love are the reasons I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you… even if you iron your socks.”

My brothers shake their heads across the aisle as everyone chuckles yet again. I look out at Gage who’s grinning from ear to ear. When his eyes find mine, his smile softens to a look of adoration in his eyes as he stares at me so close, yet so far away.

The pastor says a few more words then Parker and Cashlynn seal their union with a kiss, officially making them husband and wife.

As I walk down the aisle in the procession, I find Gage looking at me yet again, undressing me with his eyes this time.

Ever since he saw me earlier in my light blue bridesmaid dress, I could tell where his thoughts were—that he couldn’t wait to strip me out of it.

Believe me, I’m looking forward to that too.

After the ceremony, everyone drives over to our parents’ house for the reception under a white tent, complete with a DJ, catering, and black-tie waitstaff.

“God, he can’t take his eyes off you,” Astrid says in my ear as we pose for pictures in the backyard.

Gage watches from the side, his hands in the pockets of his blacks slacks.

In true fashion, my husband is dressed in all black, but those piercing green eyes are the sexiest part of him that I can’t look away from.

“I was about to say the same thing,” Willow adds. “When Dallas looks at me like that, I swear, I could get pregnant from a glance alone.”

My ovaries jump at that thought, but then I remember what Gage said about having kids.

Shit. Add that to the list of things we need to talk about this week.

As the weekend winds down, my anxiety is only building. Next week I’ll know where my husband of convenience and I stand—if this marriage that started out as a business arrangement might have transformed into something real.

“Is that why you’re already expecting baby number two?” Astrid teases as she bumps her shoulder with Willow’s.

Willow rubs her belly where her new baby is growing. “Yup. This was from one of those looks.”

“Well, not to burst your bubble, but Gage and I are nowhere near that stage.” I smile as the photographer asks us to pose. After this last shot, it’s the boys’ turn for photos. I’m glad I have the night off from that responsibility for once.

Astrid, Willow, and I head over to the side where a waiter comes by with a tray of champagne. Astrid and I take one, and Willow asks for a glass of water.

The sun bathes the sky in a golden hue, but the heat still lingers—especially the heat in Gage’s eyes.

“So, you two have discussed kids?” Astrid asks.

I take a sip from my glass. “No, not really.”

“Well, what if you end up pregnant, Hazel? You should probably know how he’d feel about that.”

“I’m still trying to figure out how he feels about me , Astrid.”

She huffs out a laugh. “I can’t believe you’re questioning it. Anyone with eyes can tell that the man is in love with you.”

Willow nods. “It’s true.”

“Well, he hasn’t said as much, and until he does, I’m not getting my hopes up.” I take another sip of my drink.

Astrid hums. “Oh no. That means she already has.”

I drop my glass by my side and lower my voice.

“The truth is, I know what I feel and I’m pretty sure he feels the same, okay?

But there are still a lot of things we need to talk about, which we agreed to do after the wedding.

So until then, I don’t have any answers for you, and trust me, it’s killing me too. ”

Willow reaches out and rubs my arm. “I’m glad you two are planning to talk. I know you’re a grown woman and can make your own decisions, but we just want you to be happy, Hazel. That’s all.”

Astrid nods. “You’re our sister. We love you, and I can’t believe it, but Diane was right. You two belong together.” She taps the center of her chest. “I can feel it, we can see it, and you two just need to allow it.”

The last thing I wanted to do was cry tonight, but these two are doing their best to make that happen.

Maybe it’s the wedding, maybe it’s my impending period, or maybe it’s the limbo I’m stuck in with Gage—but knowing I have these two women supporting me no matter what?

That’s something I will never take for granted.

“I appreciate and love you both so much.”

“Sorry to interrupt, ladies.” Gage comes up behind me, placing his hand on the small of my back. “But I’m stealing my wife for a dance.”

Willow and Astrid exchange knowing smiles as I hand Astrid my glass of champagne and let Gage lead me to the dance floor.

He guides me past the crowd of people until he finds a more secluded spot he deems perfect, spinning me into his chest. “Fuck. You look stunning, Spitfire. I couldn’t just stand by watching anymore. ”

I breathe him in deeply as he begins to move. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

His hand tightens on my waist as he sways us back and forth to the music. “I can’t wait to pull this string at your waist later and unveil what’s hiding underneath this dress.”

“Who says I have anything on underneath this dress?” I tease him, nipping at his earlobe and drawing a growl from his lips.

“ Fuck, Hazel. You have no idea what you do to me.”

I drag my nails through the hair at the back of his head. “I might have an idea.” He lifts his head and locks his eyes with mine. “This wedding turned out beautifully,” I say, moving to a safer subject.

Gage hums. “Not as beautiful as you.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you trying extra hard to get laid tonight, Mr. Kingston? You already know I’m a sure thing.”

He cups the side of my face. “I’ll never stop reminding you how badly I want you, Mrs. Kingston.”

Mrs. Kingston .

That’s the first time he’s ever called me by my married name, and the shiver it sends through me feels like recognition—like something clicking into place.

“God, I hate the way you look at me sometimes,” I whisper, not wanting to listen to these doubts that keep popping up when my heart is telling me to trust what it feels.

Gage’s brow furrows. “How do I look at you?”

Like you could love me if you’d only let yourself.

“Like there’s something you want to say, but you’re holding yourself back,” I say instead.

His mouth falls open. “Fuck, Spitfire.” He leans his forehead against mine but says nothing, and I don’t know if it’s silent confirmation that he does have something to say or that he doesn’t feel the way that I do.

Just then, a hummingbird comes flying into the tent, darting through the crowd. A few kids shriek in surprise, but I just stand there, mesmerized.

I watch the bird hover, its iridescent green and pink feathers catching the last rays of sunlight. It’s beautiful, weightless—a fleeting moment that somehow feels like a sign.

Gage pulls me closer, kissing my temple. “You okay, baby?”

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as I close my eyes to fight off the tears. Then I smile, knowing my dad is with us today. “Yeah. I’m good.”

The song ends as Gage guides us to stop. “You want another drink?”

“Yes, please.”

He kisses me before taking a step toward the bar. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch him go, placing my hand over my chest trying to calm the emotions swirling inside me. Every time I’m around him, something shifts—something falls into place while something else unravels.

He’s the man I’m supposed to be with .

I’m still staring at my husband when Willow and Astrid reappear. “God, you two look good together.”

I tilt my head, admiring how hot my husband is. Clearly, Diane knew her nephew was totally my type. “We do, don’t we?”

Astrid laughs. “The boys sure do seem to like him.”

I turn to her. “You think?”

“Penn has had nothing but great things to say, which you know says a lot coming from him.”

When I turn my attention back to Gage, I see Dallas has now joined him at the bar. And even from here I can tell Gage’s back just stiffened.

Willow hums, drawing my attention to her. “Dallas has some concerns though, even though I probably shouldn’t be telling you this.”

I turn to look at the two men talking again, intensity written on Dallas’s face, making me grow worried. “Yeah, well, I think it wouldn’t matter who I was with, he wouldn’t approve.”

“I don’t think it’s that.” Willow lowers her voice. “Dallas feels like Gage is hiding something.”

My pulse spikes. “He does?”

Astrid chimes in. “Like what?”

I d on’t want to add to their curiosity, but I feel like he’s hiding something too.

Dallas steps in closer to Gage, practically in his face, and then both of their voices start to rise.

Willow grabs my arm. “What the hell is going on?”

The last thing I want is for Dallas to cause a scene at Parker’s wedding, so I head in that direction.