Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
T hey renewed their vows at noon the next day.
Vanessa preceded Lucy down the aisle in a hot-pink mini dress and a cloud of expensive perfume, her high, perfectly styled ponytail swinging like a pendulum behind her.
When the cheesy tune turned into an even cheesier version of the wedding march, she walked toward her husband, and this time savored what she hadn’t had the wherewithal to pay attention to the first time—the way he watched her.
His iron-gray eyes pinned her with a penetrating focus, and his lips curved into a smile that reached every place in her heart. Four long years apart stretched between them, but with every step closer to him, she imagined their past shrinking and evaporating.
She’d handed her rose bouquet to her sister and repeated after the minister’s familiar vows of loyalty, fidelity, and devotion. Then got weepy when Joel did the same. When the time came, they slid their original wedding bands back onto each other’s fingers. She hadn’t wanted a new one. She intended to wear her souvenir shop ring until it disintegrated off her finger or she died.
And when the ceremony was over their union felt strong and right. Deep down in her heart she knew this time would last, with clear minds, clear hearts, and clear intention.
When the minister told Joel to kiss his bride, Joel caught her around the waist and held her close for a full-contact kiss. Chest to chest, thigh to thigh. The satin of her pearl-colored dress slid irritatingly against her skin. She was so ready to take it off and be alone with her husband.
When the kiss broke, he took her in, eyes sparkling. “I finished the book you gave me.”
“Already?” She laughed because she, for one, had not been thinking about books.
“It was fucking hot. I couldn’t put it down.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I learned a lot.”
“Oh, did you now? Like what?” He had more moves in bed than any book she’d ever read, some of which she was looking forward to him pulling out the second they got back to the wedding suite.
“Let’s ditch the wedding party, and I’ll show you.” He nuzzled her cheek.
Sounded good to her.
“Oh my Gooood, that was so romantic, sissy!” Vanessa threw her arms around Lucy’s neck. “You two are the cutest!” She tossed a venomous look Jordan’s way.
Lucy bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. Poor guy had no idea what he was dealing with.
Vanessa glared until Jordan finally rumbled, “Yeah, super cute.” He clapped his hand on Joel’s shoulder. “Congrats, bro.” Then he offered Lucy the closest thing to a smile she’d ever seen on him. “You too. I’ll admit, that was nicer than I expected. ”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Why? Why are you like that? Like, who says that to someone five seconds after their wedding? Nicer than expected . Were you raised in a barn?”
Jordan glowered dangerously. “Nah, baby, just prison.”
Vanessa gasped, wide eyed.
Lucy cringed.
Joel cleared his throat. “Alright, post-wedding lunch is on me. Let’s get out of here and toast my beautiful bride.” He led their group out of the tiny, neon-lit chapel.
“Ohh, where are we going?” Vanessa asked, as she bounced along in her stilettos.
“I got them to close down STK for us.” Joel told her, nodding at the chauffeur on the side of the road who’d come to pick them up.
Vanessa stopped in her tracks, mouth agape and Jordan slammed right into her from behind. Grunting in annoyance, he lifted her by the elbows and moved her aside so he could climb into the waiting car.
“You got them to close down STK for the four of us?” Vanessa squealed.
“Just for two hours,” Joel said casually, giving Lucy a quick kiss before he ushered her into the car ahead of him.
When they were all settled in the spacious vehicle Joel faced Vanessa and Jordan like they were a pair of school children, and Lucy had to bite her lip hard not to laugh. “Okay look, we are going to have a civilized lunch. Then I’m taking my wife to our hotel room and locking us in there until we leave tomorrow, so you two are going to have to find a way to play nice.” He used his commanding voice, the one no one could ignore.
Even her sister bowed her head in submission. Her cheeks were still pink from putting her foot in her mouth earlier .
Jordan folded his hands in his lap and stared out the window. “Sure thing, boss.”
Joel nodded and tugged Lucy close to his side, whispering for her ears only. “I guess I owe Nico a favor, after all.”
“Ew, why?” she asked, weaving her fingers through his.
“Because if it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would have gotten this second chance with you. And I’m so glad I did because I’m never letting you go again.”
“Not even when shit hits the fan?”
“Especially not then.”
“What about in forty years when I refuse to get Botox?”
Joel laughed and, on the hot streets of Vegas, shut her up with a kiss. “Luciana Morgan, you’re not getting rid of me in any decade, in any circumstance.” He kissed her fiercely, with a passion that held promise. When he finally leaned back, his stormy gray eyes burned into hers. “You’re stuck with me—forever.”
T hank you for reading Finding Forever! Keep reading to see how writing a book review can mean the world to an indie author like me!