Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
MELLIE
ONE MONTH LATER
“You may kiss the bride.”
Five little words, and the entire town square erupts in cheers, a cacophony of yelling, hooting, and clapping. Evan leans down to kiss his wife, dipping Catalina low in an exaggerated, dramatic move.
The bridal party goes crazy, all of us whooping and egging them on. Cat’s shiny face is bright pink when they come up for air. Her sisters hurry up the gazebo steps to help her straighten the gorgeous, lacy mantilla over her curly brown hair that’s been swept up into an elegant bun.
And just like that, my little brother is married. The following few hours are filled with photo after photo, sneaking a snack or a glass of champagne whenever we have a spare moment.
It’s wonderful and absolutely perfect.
The reception is right in the center of town, tables and chairs spread across the grassy lawn and decorated with autumnal-themed centerpieces.
Splashes of wine red, mustard yellow, and deep orange are arranged artfully throughout the square.
Sal and Jay are set up directly in front of the temporary dance floor, a mixture of oldies and current popular songs the soundtrack of the night.
Strings of lights adorn every tree, swinging from lamp post to lamp post, creating a sense of stepping into the pages of a fairy tale.
I wind through the tables, a fresh glass of champagne in each hand, making my way toward my destination.
Ronin’s long dark hair has been swept off his forehead, showing off those beautiful blue eyes that are currently staring me down as I approach our table.
His gaze travels from head to toe and back up again, lingering on my curves as a small smirk plays around his mouth.
“Damn,” he mouths, shooting me a wink. As I take my seat next to him, he grabs the proffered flute of champagne, taking a small sip. His head tilts toward mine. “Have I told you yet tonight how absolutely delectable you look in that dress?”
Pretending to think, I cock my head to the side and tap my chin with a manicured finger. “Hmm, only about a dozen times, I think.”
Ronin’s answering grin has me giggling even before he reaches for me, pulling me close to capture my lips with his.
“Please, can you two keep your hands off of each other for five minutes?” Sydney’s groan interrupts us and I pull away, laughing as she takes a seat across from me.
“Hey, don’t take your sexual frustration out on us. You’re the one who decided to date the caterer and sacrifice a date for the wedding.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her, eliciting a scowl in return.
“Don’t remind me. Beck has barely even acknowledged how hot I am in this outfit. I’m feeling very neglected.” Sydney’s hand gestures down her body to the deep green, long sleeved, skin tight gown she has on. “This is wasted on a bunch of nerds.”
Bree pokes her head over Syd’s shoulder.
“Hey, lest we not forget, you are one of us now, nerd.” She pecks Sydney’s cheek before plopping down into the chair next to her, Brooklyn following behind.
Each of them wear matching suits, Bree in a dark navy that compliments her pink hair, and Brooklyn wearing her signature black, with a navy sash to match.
The engagement ring on Bree’s hand flashes under the string lights as she takes a sip of her drink.
“Like I could forget. Our game nights are the only socializing I’ve been doing lately. I can’t believe this is what my life has become.” Sydney rolls her eyes, but the smile gracing her delicate features gives her away. She talks a big game, but the girl loves our D&D nights.
“Yes, yes, we’re all a bunch of dorks, we know,” Ronin teases.
His arm winds around the back of my chair and his fingers graze my shoulder, gently stroking the exposed skin and sending shivers down my spine.
Nearly eight months together and the man can still send me spiraling with nothing but a simple touch.
My gaze catches on some movement a few tables away.
Evan and Cat are making their rounds, and my little brother is positively beaming.
He’s been glued to Cat’s side the entire day, the two of them exuding newlywed bliss with every smile or kiss shared between them.
A warm feeling spreads across my chest as I watch them for a moment.
I’m so proud of the man Evan has become, and I know he’s going to be a wonderful husband to Cat.
My thoughts are interrupted as Bree screeches, jumping out of her chair to pull Brooklyn to her feet. “This is my favorite song! I’ve been waiting all night for them to play this, come on! We have to dance.”
Brooklyn chuckles as she’s dragged away, waving to us helplessly.
Ronin’s fingers travel down my arm until his hand finds my side, and his palm splays across my ribs as he pulls me closer. I nuzzle into him, his warmth welcome against my chilled skin.
Sydney glares at us over the centerpiece of flowers. “You guys are depressing me. I’m going to find Beck.”
Ronin and I can’t help but laugh as she flounces away, curly hair bouncing.
“So. Evan is married. Bree’s engaged.” Ronin’s head falls to the side, resting atop mine. “What’s next for the Blue Fields crew, you think?”
“Hmm. Business owner is taken, courtesy of Double Shot’s new owner. I hear he’s pretty hot, too.”
Ronin’s answering laugh tickles my hair. “Maybe he’ll hook you up with some free coffee now and then.”
“I should only be so lucky.” I tilt my head back to kiss his cheek before returning to people watching.
“Maybe…published author?”
A swooping sensation flips my stomach at his words.
After returning home and taking my place back at the bookstore, I started drafting my first novel.
It’s still in the very early outline stage, but it’s there.
It has become a real, tangible thing, and the prospect of self-publishing is more enticing every day.
“Yeah. Maybe.” I glance back up to see Ronin already gazing down upon me. “Think you can handle dating me once I get super famous?”
“I should only be so lucky,” he replies, kissing the tip of my nose.
I giggle, and he leans down, mouth meeting mine in a slow, lazy kiss.
“I’m really happy, Mr. Kane,” I tell him once he pulls away.
Ronin’s blue gaze gleams in the twinkling light. He grins at me, the smile that pops each of his dimples on display, the one that never fails to make me weak in the knees. My smile.
“Me too, Miss Baker. Me too.”
Never in a million years would my younger self believe that I found my home among this small town, of all places.
Home doesn’t always have to be a location.
It’s not always a building or a community.
Sometimes, if you’re one of the really lucky ones, you find your home in a person.
That special someone who completes you, that you turn to with all of the good or the bad that happens each day.
That person who, for whatever reason, was put on this earth just for you.
That makes you feel like the most important thing in their life, cherished and loved.
I look up into Ronin’s brilliant gaze and I hear the unsaid words echo in my heart.
Welcome home, Mellie.
The End