Countdown #3
She didn’t hesitate. The little traitor took off like her butt was on fire while I narrowed my eyes on Duncan. The years had been kind to him. He’d barely aged, minus a few silver streaks of hair lining his temples.
“If you were itching for a spanking, Sloane, you could’ve just said so.”
“Keep your hands to yourself, Duncan.” I made my way to our shared walk-in closet where my dress for the night was hanging, slipping it over my head. “I need to be able to sit tomorrow at the ceremony.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you agreed to let our daughter go on a group date.”
He joined me, stripping out of his khakis, down to his boxers, then sliding on a pair of faded blue jeans. The rehearsal dinner was a casual affair and was being held at Birds of a Feather, the restaurant Keaton and Henley owned.
“For heaven’s sake, it’s not a date. It’s a bunch of thirteen-year-old kids going to the movies.”
“Will there be boys there?”
“I assume so.”
“Then they won’t mind one more.”
“Duncan Joel Palmer. What are you going to do?”
Fifteen minutes later, as soon as Reagan left the house with her little friend, I had my answer.
“Rogan,” Duncan barked.
“Yeah, Dad?” He didn’t even stop playing his video game.
“Need you to get dressed.”
“What for? I thought I was helping the babysitter tonight.”
“Your sister is going to the movies with a group of friends.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“There are boys in the group.”
The change in Rogan was instantaneous. His head snapped to his father and his eyes narrowed. The video game controller in his hand was dropped unceremoniously to the floor.
“Give me five minutes.”
With my hands on my hips, I faced the love of my life. He didn’t look the least bit ashamed for pulling our son into the middle of his shenanigans. In fact, he looked darn proud. I was too shocked to form words, so I glared instead. Duncan met my glare with a panty-malting smile, the big jerk.
The babysitter showed up just as Rogan reappeared wearing black sweatpants and a matching hoodie. He didn’t utter a word from the back of the SUV, but as soon as we got to the movie theater, he stuck his hand between the front seats.
“Gonna need twenty bucks.”
Duncan slapped the bill in his hand, then turned halfway around in his seat and held out his fist. Rogan bumped it with his own.
“You know what to do, son.”
“I’ve got her, Dad. Don’t worry.”
With that, Rogan hopped out and headed straight for the ticket booth.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m a dad.”
Wedding Day
Shayne
I’d given up on love. No one would ever hold the power to hurt me again, not if I could help it.
When each of my friends found their happily ever after, I reinforced the wall around my heart.
Little did I know, Lucia had no intention of knocking my wall down.
No, her little daredevil ass climbed over the fucking top.
She shook up my world from the second her Mercedes S-class T-boned my Mustang.
The last thing I expected was for this beautiful woman to shimmy out of the shattered driver’s side window, walk across the hood of my ’Stang and start cussing a blue streak.
She stole my heart between goddamns and motherfuckers.
Lucia Riviera. My Lucy.
Five feet three inches of sass and fire with coal-black hair, which fell in waves past her shoulders. She challenged me in all the best ways. I loved her more than I thought possible.
“Are you ready?” Waverly, my best friend asked.
“Did you bring the vodka?”
“Of course not. Half of your bridal party is knocked up.”
“Then no. I’m not ready.”
“Fuck my life.” Her eyes flared wide. “Is the unflappable Shayne Black nervous?”
“You have zero room to talk. I recall having to hold your hair back on your wedding day while you puked.”
“You’ll never let me live that down, will you?”
“Not in this lifetime.” I smirked. “Did you stop in to see Lucy?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And you’ll see her at the other end of the aisle.”
Lucy and I were both wearing gowns. Mine was lavender, hers was pale pink.
Other than knowing the color, I hadn’t seen her actual dress.
She wanted it to be a surprise. My only request was that neither of us wore white.
I wanted our wedding to have a sense of flair, since this would be my one and only.
“You’re no fun.” I stuck my tongue out.
“Knock. Knock.” Duncan’s deep voice sounded from the other side of the door. “Two minute warning.”
“Thanks, D. We’ll be right out.”
“Holy shit.” I took a deep breath, then released it. “I’m about to get married.”
“Yeah. You are.”
“Thank you for standing up there with me today, Way.”
“You’re my best friend, Shayne. There’s no other place I’d rather be. Besides, I would’ve arrested anyone else who thought they could take my place. Let’s do this.”
She opened the door to the changing room. Duncan was in the hallway, wearing black dress pants and a plum-colored polo which perfectly matched the bridesmaids’ dresses.
“You look beautiful, Shayne.” He held out his arm for me to take. “Let’s go see your bride.”
The wedding was being held at The Stable, a beautiful outdoor venue we found scrolling the internet. Our ceremony would take place on the massive lawn, facing the setting sun. Lucy would come in from one side, I’d come in from the other, and then we’d walk down the aisle together.
As soon as the large French doors opened, a trio of violins began to play “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle. Duncan and I stepped out onto the perfectly manicured lawn and I froze. Fifty yards away from me, on her father’s arm, was Lucia. She was radiant and she was all mine.
“They’re gonna beat us to the end of the aisle if you don’t start moving,” Duncan informed me.
“It’s not a race, D. Christ. Can’t I take a second to admire my future wife?”
“Take all the time you need, but the minister has another wedding in thirty minutes. Just saying.”
I took a step, then another, toward my future.
“How did I get so lucky?”
“Lucy’s the lucky one, Shayne.”
“Dammit. Don’t make me cry.”
Duncan stopped at the end of the aisle, kissed both my and Lucy’s cheeks, then walked away to join his family. Mr. Riviera did the same.
“Hey, beautiful.” I reached out for her hand.
“Hey back, gorgeous.”
The rows were filled with our friends and family on either side, but I only had eyes for my girl. Hell, the minister spoke for a good five minutes before I even realized he was talking.
“Do you, Shayne Renee Black, take Lucia Marie Riviera to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.”