Chapter 28
twenty-eight
. . .
Lulu
When we arrived at the house for the wedding, I couldn’t get over how stunning it looked. I’ve only attended weddings in banquet halls and country clubs. I’ve never been to a wedding that was so detailed and warm and everything a wedding should be.
Beefcake had introduced me to all the friends that had come from Magnolia Falls. Romeo and Demi had the cutest little baby boy named Hayes. I fangirled a little bit because I learned that Romeo was a professional boxer, but I remembered that fight he won as the underdog. It had been all over the news for months. River and Ruby were hilarious, and Rafe, Henley, and I sat in the middle of them during the ceremony.
Emerson and Nash had decided not to do a big wedding party as they thought it would be too many people, so Keaton walked his daughter down the aisle, sweet little Melody dropped flower petals and delivered the ring, and Cutler stood up there with them. Easton had officiated the nuptials, since he went through the process a few months ago so he could marry them.
They only wanted close friends and family to attend the ceremony, and I felt honored to be included. Apparently, the whole town would be coming out for the reception. The chairs were lined in rows, and there was a huge floral gazebo with the river in the distance. Peach and cream flowers were draped along the aisle.
They said their vows, and I’ve never experienced a more heartfelt wedding before. There wasn’t a dry eye out here. Hell, I didn’t know them that well, and I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Once they were announced husband and wife, we moved to a gorgeous area under these giant trees for photographs.
The sun was shining, and the sound of the water moving down the river was so soothing.
Hayes and Savannah introduced me to their twin baby girls, Piper and Penelope. They were passed around the group and everyone took turns holding them while we stood together as different groups were called for photos. Kingston and Saylor had just come back from using the restroom for the third time in an hour because she was very pregnant and apparently couldn’t go very long without peeing, and everyone teased her endlessly about it.
“I wonder what they put in the water in Magnolia Falls,” Henley whispered as we watched different groups pose for photos.
Emerson and all her brothers and cousins took a slew of photos. My eyes tracked Rafe like it was my day job. The man wore a tan suit and cowboy boots, and it somehow managed to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Trust me, I don’t drink the water. I’m not risking getting knocked up before I’m ready,” Ruby said, and Henley and I both laughed.
“Oh, we’re blaming the water, huh?” Savannah said, cradling one of her sweet little girls in her arms.
“Listen, we got a two-for-one. There is definitely something in the water,” Hayes said, and I couldn’t help but smile at this big, burly man cradling his little baby girl like she was made of porcelain.
The way that man looked at the little bundle of joy in his arms, followed by Rafe rubbing his finger along her little forehead when he moved beside me, had my ovaries sparking to life.
And that had never happened.
Me and kids were not one.
Well, aside from Melody and Beefcake. If I were guaranteed to have clones of either one of those kids, I’d probably be open to the idea.
“Lulus, will you take a picture with me and Uncle Rafe?” Melody came up and took my hand, and my chest nearly exploded.
“Oh, my sweet little bug, these photos are for family members, but we could take one on my phone if you want,” I said.
“You are absolutely going to be in these photos, Lulu Sonnet,” Emerson called out like she had some sort of superpower hearing, catching me off guard. “We’re doing couples next, but let’s get one of Rafe, Lulu, and Melody first.”
Rafe winked at me and scooped Melody into his arms, settling her on his hip before reaching for my hand. He leaned down near my ear and whispered, “I was in Gramps’ eightieth birthday pictures when you barely even knew me. You are not getting out of here without taking a whole lot more.”
I nodded before looking at the photographer as Melody’s little hand moved to my shoulder and Rafe’s free hand found my waist.
The Chadwicks were such a warm family, and they had a way of making you feel like you belonged.
Hell, I’d spent most of my adult life feeling like an outcast in my own family, so this was definitely not what I was used to.
But I wasn’t complaining. I was soaking it in.
I had a few more weeks before my life changed drastically, so I’d just enjoy it while it lasted.
After a ton of photos, which I argued about partaking in, we were off to the reception. The Chadwicks knew how to throw a party.
Most everyone in Rosewood River had come out to celebrate Emerson and Nash, not to mention the out-of-towners from Magnolia Falls who’d shown up.
The DJ rallied everyone to the dance floor more times than I could count, and we had too much food and too many drinks and endless laughs.
“Damn, I’ve never been a fan of weddings, but I have to say, this one is next level,” I said, as I took another bite of cake.
“Same, girl. I mean, I tied the knot wearing a T-shirt and jeans, so I’m clearly not the most traditional about this stuff. But the last few weddings I’ve been to have been fabulous.” Ruby took a sip of her champagne as she sat on one side of me.
“I think you’re becoming a little sappy, Rubes,” Saylor said, her voice teasing.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you all. I’ve heard so much about you from Emerson, and of course, Beefcake has told me all about his girls back in Magnolia Falls,” Henley said as she forked another bite of my cake since we agreed to share a piece.
And now we’ve devoured three pieces between the two of us.
“Hey, I thought I was Beefcake’s girl,” I said with a laugh.
“He’s been collecting us like baseball cards,” Demi chuckled.
“But look who his most special girl is,” Savannah said, tilting her head toward the dance floor, eyes wet with emotion, as everyone cleared the space, and Emerson and Cutler made their way out there together.
“All right, we’re going to take a moment for this special mother-son dance. Let’s give it up for Cutler “Beefcake” Heart and his mama, Emerson Heart. Our beautiful bride chose this song especially for her son.”
“Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon started playing, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
My God, what was it with these people? They were like an overflowing emotional tidal wave. I’ve never experienced so many feelings at one event.
“Oh my gosh, this is too much,” Ruby said. Saylor handed her a tissue, and she dabbed at her eyes.
“It’s okay to be in your feelings, Rubes,” Demi said.
“They found their way to one another. That’s why today is so special.” Saylor sniffed several times.
“My hormones are still out of whack, and I can’t handle much more.” Savannah’s words broke on a sob, and Demi wrapped an arm around her. We all started laughing at what a weepy mess everyone was and the fact that these two dancing together had wreaked havoc on our makeup.
We agreed it was fine, seeing as Emerson had this plan that at the end of the reception, we were all going to jump into the river together. Apparently, she and Nash had made a pact months ago that they’d end the ceremony with a celebratory wedding party swim, even though the weather was still chilly. We all agreed to take a quick dip with them. So, we figured our makeup wasn’t going to last anyway.
I glanced around the room to see Rafe and Easton standing on each side of Nash as he watched his wife and son together with so much adoration.
Rafe must have felt my eyes on his because he turned right at that moment. His dark gaze locked with mine. His lips turned up in the corners, and he held my stare.
“Holy hotness.” Ruby leaned her shoulder against mine. “That man just undressed you with his eyes right here in front of all of us.”
A loud laugh escaped Henley’s lips. “Yep, thank you. It’s impossible to miss, right? But my stubborn bestie likes to say it’s nothing serious.”
“Listen, I own a romance bookstore, and I am here to say that the way that man is looking at you right now, that’s what sells books right there.” Saylor waggled her brows. “That is definitely not nothing.”
The song ended, and the next thing I knew, Kingston and Rafe were dragging all the guys out to the dance floor as the DJ played “Sexy and I Know It,” and everyone cheered and laughed as they made fools of themselves dancing.
“It appears she looks at him the same way,” Savannah said.
“Yep. We’ve all seen that look before, Lulu.” Demi stroked her little boy’s hair away from his face as he slept in her arms.
“I’m not claiming he isn’t hot. I’m just saying that it’s temporary,” I said with a shrug.
All of the women around me laughed in unison as if I’d just said the funniest thing they’d ever heard, and I gaped at them.
“Sorry. We’ve heard that before. I was the queen of temporary, my friend.” Ruby patted me on the back. “And then I went to Vegas and got hitched.”
“She really fought it,” Saylor said. “But you can’t fight love, or at least I hope you can’t, because then my bookstore would probably go out of business.”
“You guys are all really sweet with your hubbies. I admire it. I’m not against the whole fairytale concept…” I paused to take a sip of my bubbly. “It’s just not for me. We’re having fun until I move to Paris in a few weeks. I’ve got big plans for myself.”
Saylor’s gaze softened. “A man who loves you will never stop you from achieving your dreams.”
I coughed over the sip I’d just taken. “We’re not in love.”
“You sure about that?” Savannah asked as she arched a brow.
“Yes. We agreed on all of these terms before any of this even started,” I said proudly. “We put some rules in place, and we’ve stuck to them.”
Now it was Henley’s turn to cover her laugh with a cough as everyone turned to look at her.
“I’m sorry. I just—” She shook her head and looked at me. “Lu, your rules are ridiculous. You live with the man. You are in a full-blown relationship, and you’re the only one who doesn’t know it.”
“Shacking up for the last few months was just part of the arrangement,” I said, but I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince anymore.
Them or me.
“Listen, I’m a girl who has always had a plan. I get it. You like to fly solo, and you’ve got big things to do, and you should absolutely do them,” Ruby said, holding her champagne flute up and clinking it with mine. “But just remember, if plans change along the way, that’s okay, too. It’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learned over the years. It’s okay to change course.”
“That was very philosophical, Rubes,” Demi said with a laugh. “And I couldn’t agree more.”
“And remember this—you can’t make the mile-high club if you’re always flying solo, girl.” Ruby winked, and everyone laughed again.
I looked up to see Rafe striding my way. Long legs closed the distance between us, and dark eyes held me hostage, as everything and everyone around me went silent.
He held out a hand. “Dance with me, Wildcat.”
I glanced over at the women around me and smirked. “Dancing solo isn’t any fun either.”
As he led me out to the dance floor, I heard them whistling and hollering behind me.
Rafe pulled me close as “Thank God” by Kane and Katelyn Brown played through the speakers.
The dance floor was packed with couples dancing, and I looked over to see Easton and Henley beside me. I couldn’t remember a moment that I’d ever felt such contentment.
Just out here on the dance floor with this beautiful man, surrounded by all these amazing people, and I was genuinely happy.
Rafe twirled me and then pulled me close as I slammed against his body.
My chest to his.
His hands moved to each side of my face.
And he leaned down and kissed me. Right in front of everyone.
And I surprised myself when I didn’t pull back.
Instead, I tangled my fingers in his hair and kissed him right back.