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Prologue

RIDGE

“I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

My brother’s voice echoes through the speakers of my truck. There’s an underlying shock to his tone that reminds me of when we were kids.

I can’t believe you got the last piece of cake.

I can’t believe you won at checkers.

I can’t believe you got a date with her.

Chuckling, I make a left turn, heading toward one place I never thought I’d go. “Don’t act so surprised, dipshit.”

Cullen snorts in the phone, and I can hear the tell-tale sound of him stacking cases of beer in the cooler at the bar. “You know that’s not what I mean. I’m just saying I never thought you’d…” his voice trails off.

But that doesn’t matter. I know exactly what he wants to say.

I never thought you’d marry someone like her.

Like Kimber.

And if I’m being completely honest, neither did I. If you’d asked me ten years ago to describe the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, she definitely wouldn’t sound anything like Kimber-Shay Willis. But times change. And, so did I.

Especially after everything that happened within just the last two and a half years.

Someone was finally arrested for the disappearance and murder of one of my closest childhood friends. I considered Carrie my family. Of course, she wasn’t actually my cousin, but I still called her that. Still loved her like that. Then, my best friend was wrongly accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students—of using his power, influence, and money to seduce and assault her. It nearly cost him everything—the love of his life, the family he was meant to have. Finally, and thankfully, Holt’s name was cleared. Unfortunately, that’s when something even worse happened. Holt and Merit’s son—my godson—was kidnapped. That was only one month ago.

Holt did what he had to do, and Daire is home. He’s safe and sound and perfect. He’s only three and a half months old so he’ll never remember what happened to him. But we’ll remember. Forever. And that’s not just because Holt’s broken arm is still in a cast and Merit’s face is still healing from surgery.

Cullen clears his throat, trying to backtrack on what he was going to say. “I just mean, I never thought it would happen this quick.”

He’s right. In the big scheme of things, it did happen quickly. Kimber and I only started dating over the summer. I think everyone was shocked when I proposed on New Year’s Eve. Well, everyone except for Kimber. She basically set the stage for it. I wanted it to be a private moment, something between just the two of us. She wanted it to be at the stroke of midnight in front of half the town at the annual New Year’s Eve party thrown at her family’s flagship luxury car dealership.

So, I know it’s quick. I’m not stupid.

But I want a family. I’m not getting any younger, and I want a life with someone.

I wanna grow old with someone.

Make babies with someone.

“I know it seems quick. But it just feels right, you know?” My voice is strong and firm, giving no indication of the small little tendril of fear that slowly creeps up on me from time to time, making me question whether or not I’m doing the right thing.

It’s just nerves. Everybody goes through them, right?

Marriage is a big deal. A really big deal. The biggest.

And not every couple out there can have the unwavering and epic kind of love that I’ve grown accustomed to seeing. My parents? Holt and Merit? My other friends, Crutch and Ella?

Well, they’re the exception and not the norm.

Cullen sighs, “As long as you’re happy. That’s all that matters.” Shuffling the phone, he puts me on hold while he signs for a liquor delivery. “Sorry about that. So, what are you up to?”

I work my neck back and forth, stretching my muscles. The movement has my bandage snagging against my shirt. I take a quick peek down at my chest, making sure there’s no breakthrough blood soaking through the fabric. “Headed to meet the wedding planner.”

“That’s right.” His laugh vibrates in my ears. “Kimber was very proud of the fact that she got an appointment with Wexler Events on such short notice. She wouldn’t stop talking about it.”

Tell me about it. Wexler Events is one of the top five premiere event planning companies in the Southeast, and Kimber refuses to meet with anyone else. Of course, I’m hoping they’ll cut us a little break on the price because of Dad and Cullen. Together, they run the best catering company in the entire state—The Elegant Taste. Dad cooks, and Cullen has the vision. He’s wanting to grow the company and make his mark on it. Just the same way he did with the bar—The Last Call.

In fact, Cullen could have planned the whole wedding for us, but Kimber wants the status that Wexler Events offers.

“Well, I doubt you’re meeting with Margo Wexler herself. Last I heard, she’s working an event in Atlanta for a movie studio. Are you meeting with one of the other planners?” he asks.

“Yeah, Amy. Amy Smith.”

“Oh, shit. I heard she was back. I haven’t seen her yet, though.”

“Back? Back from where?”

“She left town a few years ago. Something about taking care of sick family. But she’s really good. The best, actually. She only worked for Wexler for about a year and a half before she left. I was kind of surprised to hear Margo hired her back. You know that woman’s bat-shit crazy and holds a grudge like a kid with a stolen pony.”

He’s right. Margo is crazy. Both him and Dad hate working with her. Fortunately, most of the time, she only works personally on the bigger jobs out of town and uses the planners on her staff for the local events. “You worked with her before? This Amy girl?”

“Yeah, several times. She started as an assistant but was quickly promoted to a planner. She was the lead on several big parties and weddings that we catered. Before, she left town, that is.”

“Well, let’s hope she’s ready for Kimber,” I say.

Trust me, I know that sounds bad. But Kimber likes things… a certain way. She can be a little hard to take in the beginning. She’s a completely different person once you get to know her, though. Well, not completely , but she will be once she adjusts to the love that I can give her. And the love that my family can give her. She just didn’t have the kind of family-life that I did growing up. I mean, shit, she even calls her dad by his first name. She just needs love and support. And as my wife, she’ll never receive anything less.

Because I only plan on doing this once.

Marriage means forever in my book. Come hell or high water.

Cullen draws out a long moan. “Mmm, I don’t know about that.”

“Don’t know about what?”

“If Amy can handle Kimber. She…she’s different,” he answers slowly, concentrating on his words.

“What’s that mean?” I pull into a parking spot in front of Wexler Events. Looking around for Kimber’s Mercedes, I’m not surprised when I don’t see it. She’s late for everything.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to describe.” He sighs, “But hey, I haven’t seen her in years. She’s probably different from how she used to be. Who isn’t, right?” I can literally hear him smiling through the phone. “But there is one thing I hope hasn’t changed…”

I know where this is going. It probably has something to do with big boobs or a tight ass. “Oh, yeah?” I draw out my syllables, playing na?ve to my baby brother’s teenage-like hormones.

“Her looks. She’s fucking hot. Like, steaming hot.”

I can’t help but laugh. Cullen may sound like a pig, but he’s a really good guy. Sweet and charming and goofy and protective. And he may fool a lot of people, but he can’t fool me. He can’t fool anyone in our family. He wants to settle down just as badly as I do.

“Well, that’s good to know.” I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes. Playing into his hand, I lace my voice with sarcasm. “Too bad for Amy this stud is already taken.”