Epilogue
One Year Later
The midday sunlight spilled across Florida’s Gulf Coast, the water a dreamy shade of blue that almost didn’t look real.
From her suite on the bluff, Tessa stood on the tiled floor, gazing out through the open doors to the beach-front garden below where chairs were already being set up in neat rows on the lawn.
White linens snapped in the breeze. The arch was draped in flowers she’d helped select—a mix of hibiscus and other local blooms.
“You ready to become Mrs. Captain Callen?” Marin grinned from behind her, slipping a black pearl earring into place.
The bridesmaids had all decided to wear black pearls on their ears today in honor of the islands where the happy couple had met.
Avery even wore the bracelet she’d gotten on their trip .
Tessa smiled, her chest swelling with something bigger than joy. “More than ready.”
The door swung open and Jenna, her hair in a sleek high ponytail, peered around the frame. “Okay, so I see hair’s done. Makeup’s done. You’re almost there.” She grinned. “Also, your groom just tried to sneak a peek, but Drew tackled him.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Tessa laughed. “Please tell me there’s video.”
“There is. And you’re getting it after the ceremony.”
The women giggled, swaying around each other as they passed champagne flutes and applied lip gloss, brushing out curls and adjusting straps on their ankle-length turquoise dresses.
Tessa’s younger sister, as well as her closest friend from Cincinnati, were also here, eagerly playing their roles as bridesmaids, too.
Tessa glanced around at them. Her heart felt full to the brim.
It had taken time to get here. Trust. Patience. And a healthy dose of hope. But she’d never waited for anything—or anyone—more worth it.
And now it was happening. Today. It was all becoming a reality.
She stepped to the full-length mirror, smoothing her dress. It was simple, white, and elegant. No frills. Just soft fabric, strapless with a fitted bodice, and a flowing skirt that fluttered as she moved. She checked her hair, a high, twisted bun.
“You look stunning,” Marin said.
“Russ won’t know what hit him,” Avery added.
Tessa grinned. “Let’s hope he still says yes. ”
“Oh, he will,” Jenna said. “I’ve never seen a man so gone for a woman.”
“I can’t even tell you how happy we are for you.” Marin’s lashes had become damp.
“I know.” Tessa pulled her in close for a hug that wouldn’t smudge her makeup. “Don’t you dare start crying or I’ll be a mess.”
Marin smiled, wiping the drops from her cheeks. “Got it. Stopping now.” She grinned, but Tessa could feel the warmth behind her words.
“It’s going to be perfect,” said Jenna, as she and Avery came over for one last look.
It would be, Tessa knew. But it didn’t have to be perfect.
It just had to be her—and Russ—together.
That’s all she wanted. All she needed. Because in the year since he’d returned, they’d become a team.
Close friends, lovers, partners. The anchor that secured them both from drifting away in the current.
Outside, music drifted up the hill to the resort. Tessa’s pulse quickened.
“It’s time,” Jenna whispered, holding an arm out to link it with hers.
Tessa looked out again, her eyes finding the edge of the water.
This time, she wasn’t dreaming. She was building her future with the man she loved.
Russ stood at the end of the aisle in a pair of khaki slacks and tan leather loafers, his shirt sleeves rolled up, boutonniere pinned in place. A string quartet played something light and sweet, carried by the sea breeze under perfect blue skies.
Malik was next to him, straightening his collar. “You nervous?”
“Not even a little.”
“Liar.”
Russ grinned. Malik wasn’t wrong. Russ was ready for this, but it felt like a hundred angry butterflies were dancing out some sort of choreographed routine inside his stomach. He inhaled slowly and let it out, hoping no one noticed.
“That’s it,” said Malik, without turning his head. “Nice, deep breath…”
Russ inhaled again, crossing his hands below his waist.
His four-year-old niece came first, sprinkling pink and purple hibiscus petals on the runner as the crowd looked on, humming with delight.
The chairs were filled with faces he knew and loved—a couple of friends from the new charter company, his parents, sister, and relatives, his soon-to-be-family on the Reed side.
No one but Malik had traveled all the way from Tahiti since it was such a long journey, but Russ’ former charter guests had become real-life pals back here in Florida.
He’d asked Drew, Nate, and Kyle to be groomsmen, along with his brother and Malik.
Russ watched, his heart filling, the music playing gently as they walked each woman down the aisle and took their places at the front, to his left. And then, the crowd murmured and snapped pictures as his three- year-old nephew stumbled down the aisle, the ring aloft on a satin pillow.
Then the music changed.
Russ lifted his gaze.
And there she was.
Tessa.
Beaming. Gorgeous, as her dress flowed like something out of a dream in the gentle afternoon breeze. Her smile fixed on him like a spotlight as she walked, arm-in-arm, with her father.
His heart beat faster, but the second she reached him, everything else vanished. The knots in his stomach settled, and he felt himself relax. This woman was all that he needed.
“Hi,” she whispered, a little breathless.
“Hi,” he said. “You look…”
“So do you,” she said.
The officiant cleared his throat and grinned at them. “Ready?”
They both nodded.
He listened intently as the words were spoken that would initiate their lives as husband and wife, unable to take his eyes off of her.
When it was time for their vows, Tessa handed her bouquet to Marin. Then Russell took another deep breath and went first, taking her hands in his.
Russ didn’t hesitate.
He pulled her in close, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to hers. Tessa melted into him, and the cheers of their friends rang out around them, caught by the wind and carried straight out to sea .
THE END