Chapter 45
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
JULIAN
I always get excited when my loved ones gather, and this celebration of Ashleigh and Cole might be the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Ashleigh’s happiness fuels mine. Then, add Harper and BOOM, explosion of joy. I’m serious. She’ll have to keep me grounded because I’m too excited to control myself. Case in point, I told Harper that I love her. I do. And it’s important she knows that.
Then she didn’t say it back. Not that she has to. It’s not a requirement. Maybe she doesn’t feel as strongly as I do. Maybe she’s scared. Maybe, well, no. She’ll get there. I’m confident she will. Our story isn’t one of unrequited love. We’re a fucking happily ever after if I’ve ever seen one.
Harper and I enter the venue, and it’s like we walked into a floral explosion. There are garlands of white and blue flowers wrapped in white fairy lights everywhere. Almost reminds me of the wedding scene from Twilight that Ashleigh and I watched together when she was younger. It’s beautiful and romantic. When I cry over these flowers, Harper’s going to think I’m a total loser.
“This is incredible,” Harper says under her breath. Her phone vibrates in her bag, and her face fills with concern as she looks at the screen. “Sorry, do you mind if I step out and take this? It’s Zac, and he shouldn’t be calling me right now. I hope Noodle’s okay.”
“Sure, I’ll be right here.” I kiss her quickly as she puts the phone to her ear and walks back out the door.
I’m taking in the room’s beauty, scanning the occupants, and ticking off the guest list for tonight’s dinner. It’s a small group tonight. We'll only have a few extra guests tomorrow, primarily family and close friends. But this time together is about our tight-knit group. The Decker Connection.
“Darcy can add wedding planning to her list of talents.” I hug Cole in greeting. His sister is an exceptional designer who brings beauty and a touch of uniqueness to any space.
“Can’t breathe.” Cole wiggles out of my embrace.
“I don’t tell you enough, but I love you. I love you not only for who you are as a man, but especially for who you are to my sister. Thank you. I will always be there for you. Better or worse,” I ramble.
“Aren’t those supposed to be my words?” Ashleigh asks as she rescues her future husband.
I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight. She’s glowing in her off-white sweater dress. An absolute vision. “Love you,” I say as I kiss her temple, my eyes watering. It must be dusty in here.
“Can I have her back, please?” Cole pulls Ashleigh to him. “Hug on your own girl.”
“Oh, that’s right, your date.” Ashleigh rubs her hands together and looks around the room, seeking her out. “Where is she? Ditch you already?”
I scowl at Cole, my glare accusing him of spoiling my surprise.
Cole holds up his hands as he laughs. “I didn’t say a word, promise.”
“He didn’t. He only said no one won the bet and I’m getting extra treats on the honeymoon. Honestly, he’s been quite smug.” She pokes him in the ribs, and he flinches, laughing.
Now everyone is making their way to greet me.
“Hombre, did she wise up and leave you already?” Chance asks. He gets a whack upside the head for that. He laughs if off because that’s nothing compared to his usual hits on the ice. The Renegades played last night at home and are off tomorrow. Coordinating with his schedule is why Ashleigh picked this weekend for their wedding.
“Nice shiner. Will look great in the pictures,” I tease. He had quite the fight yesterday. Even though Chance’s face is a little damaged, you should see the other guy.
“He can stand in the back with me to hide my belly,” my sister-in-law Dani says.
“You will never hide in the back, Sunshine,” my brother Alexander says.
I hug her and her seven-month pregnant belly. “You are absolutely stunning.” I take both hands and extend my arms, taking her all in. “And I mean it. You’re stunning on a normal day, but pregnant? Radiant as the sun.”
“I tell her that every day, but she doesn’t believe me,” Alexander scowls. His adoring eyes drink his wife up. She rolls her eyes at him.
She’s turned the grump into a softie, and I’m here for it. “I brought an early birthday present for Tyler. I’ll swing by the house tomorrow and give it to him.” I give Dani a playful wink and am rewarded with a classic Xander scowl. Tyler is their six-year-old son and my favorite addition to our family.
“It better not breathe, make noise, or cause a mess,” Alexander warns.
“Now where’s the fun in that?” I tease. I live to be the fun uncle.
Tripp, superstar pitcher for the Reapers, and Trevor are having an intense discussion with Emma in the corner while Darcy appears to give instructions to the caterers. Matt is standing behind her, giving her a shoulder massage. Yep, everyone’s here.
“So, she’s not an actress?” Ashleigh asks.
“Nope.”
“Or a model?” Dani asks.
“Nope.”
“Or a rock star, TV personality, or celebrity?” Emma asks as she hugs me and joins our circle of curious girls.
“Oh, I know!” Darcy chimes in. “A princess!”
I can’t help but laugh at that one. The Swedish princess problem.
“Nope on all accounts.”
“Tell us one thing,” Ashleigh begs.
What do I want to share? You know her is too easy, even though I doubt they’d guess. “She’s the patron of the otters at the Central Park Zoo.”
“What kind of clue is that?” Dani asks.
“You didn’t?” Chance shakes his head in disbelief.
“Oh, but he did.” Harper says as she joins the group. “And it was the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone could ever do.” She wraps her arm around mine, pushes up on her tiptoes, and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
I’m not sure what happens next because I’m pushed aside. High-pitched squealing that could explode lightbulbs ensues, and the glammed-up bride, maid of honor, and sister of the groom jump up and down and attack my girlfriend. It’s pure pandemonium of the happiest kind.
“I take it they know her?” Dani asks me, safely away from the excitement zone.
“Yep. And apparently, they like her best. At least I’ve got their blessing.” Harper is being peppered with hugs and questions. I can’t wipe the grin off my face watching this scene. Harper is getting all the things a girl needs from her squad. A wave of love washes over me, a powerful emotion that leaves me breathless. My girl is the perfect fit as the Decker Connection’s newest member.
When the girls catch their breath, I introduce Harper to Dani, Tripp, and Trevor, and we all settle down for a delightful meal celebrating the special couple. Toasts all around make me laugh and cry. Sure, I was emotional at Alexander’s wedding in February. But this wedding? It hits different. Maybe it’s because Ashleigh is my sister, my fellow lover of romance books, and an amazing human being. Or maybe it’s because I know the feeling of being in love.
I picture a similar scene, but this time it’s Harper in white. My chest tightens, and butterflies dance in my belly. I need her to say those three words back to me, and we’ll be on our way.