Epilogue
Izzy
Two months later
It took him two months. Well, technically less than one month, but I wasn’t going to walk down the aisle with my leg in a brace. This was going to be my only wedding, so the pictures needed to be fabulous.
Hunter’s mom, Kim, was amazing. Her and Mal’s mom kinda adopted me, and along with Saylor and Alexis, went with me to pick out my dress.
I had another breakdown in the salon, missing my mom so hard it felt like I was missing a limb.
I don’t know when or if that feeling would ever heal.
I swear the only thing that got me through it was Kim’s gentle strength and humor. The woman was a freaking inspiration.
“Are you ready?” Beau asked with a gentle smile, his eyes teary.
I took a deep breath and shook out my lace skirt. I went with an ivory, off the shoulder, A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves in lace.
I felt like a true princess.
After taking one more deep breath, I let it out shakily. “As ready as I’m gonna be.”
“You look like a dream, Izzy. I am so proud of you, and that you want me to be the one to walk you down the aisle. I love you so much, kiddo.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I smiled up at him, battling against the tears stinging my eyes. It was too early to be weepy. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
Not even a minute later, we were walking down the aisle of a chapel at a swanky Vegas hotel as ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles played.
Hunter only had eyes for me as I walked toward him. Tears welled in his eyes, but he looked thunderstruck and just happy. When we got close enough, he grabbed my free hand and pulled me to him.
“Slow your roll there, son,” Beau rumbled warningly.
The crowd tittered. I just rolled my eyes at both of them.
The ceremony passed in a blur. We’d gone with the traditional vows, mostly because I didn’t want the angst of writing my own. But a blink later, Hunter was sliding a gorgeous Victorian filigreed band into place next to the huge round diamond already on my finger.
“You may kiss.”
I barely had the chance to hold onto Hunter’s shoulders before he kissed me with fervor. Then he braced an arm on my lower back and dipped me low while he continued to kiss me. And all I could do was hold on.
When he finally straightened us, the room swam around me for a second, but I still spotted Alexis and her family in the front row with Beau and Hunter’s mom, Kim, and his brother, Cory—all of them standing up. But I was pretty sure Alexis cheered the loudest.
I laughed as I realized Queen’s ‘You’re My Best Friend’ was playing.
That wasn’t the song I’d picked, but it was perfect. I couldn’t be mad.
Hunter laughed at me like he knew exactly what I was thinking. He shrugged. “It’s true. You’re my best friend,” he all but shouted in my ear because of the cheering around us.
“You’re lucky I love you so much.”
“You got that right.” And then he kissed me again as we stood in the middle of the aisle with our friends and family cheering around us.
Later at the reception, Alexis cornered me and asked for forgiveness for conspiring with him to change the music at the last minute. “Hunter was arguing with the staff so I stepped in.”
“I’m not mad. I think it was perfect. Thank you for helping him.”
“Always.” Alexis sighed, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “But just for the record, we’re co-best friends. I’m not going to let some boy usurp me. Even if he is as awesome as Hunter.”
“Deal.”
“Plus, I get to see you almost exclusively for the next year, roomie.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t say that so loud that Hunter hears you. He’s still crabby about my decision. But transferring would’ve taken so long, it’s really the only choice that makes sense.”
“And he’ll fly in so often or vice versa, it’ll go by quick. And then the two of you will have the rest of your lives together.”
That was almost verbatim the speech I’d given Hunter. Only it hadn’t landed so softly with him. There’d been a lot of pouting, a few arguments, and finally, snarly acceptance.
“And we’ll have a whole two weeks in Hawaii before school starts.” I sighed happily. “I can’t wait.”
“Enjoy it. I’m so happy for you, Iz.” Alexis gave me another hug before heading for the bar where her dad was waving her over like he was landing a plane.
I jumped as Hunter’s arms came around me from behind.
“Got you right where I want you.”
I laughed softly as I ran my thumb over his matching gold band. “Ditto.”
“You about ready to get out of here?” He kissed a path down the side of my neck, and I shivered.
“Hunter, man.” Ryker suddenly appeared in front of us, looking frantic. “I gotta take the jet back to LA. Nova was in an accident. I guess she’s been unconscious since Wednesday, and no one bothered to call me until now.”
“Fuck, man. I mean, yeah. Whatever you need. We can arrange our own transport. Take care of yourself and send us some updates, okay?”
Ryker nodded before taking off like the building was on fire.
“Leif!” Hunter shouted. “Follow Ryker. Don’t let him go back to LA by himself!”
Leif saluted and took off in Ryker’s wake.
Seeing the torment on Ryker’s face reminded me of Hunter’s when I first woke up in the hospital.
I shivered as I watched them go. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy—who was currently doing a twelve-month stint in jail. I loved that for her.
“Poor Nova,” I whispered.
“Poor Ryker.” Hunter sighed and buried his face in my neck. “I hate that they’re going through it. Been there, done that. Never again.”
“Never again,” I echoed.
“But it sounds like we gotta call someone and arrange our own flights to Hawaii now.”
I wrinkled my nose. “How about we do that later? I think we have a marriage to consummate here.”
“Here?” Hunter drew his head back and gave me a naughty look. “As you wish.”
“Hunter!” I shrieked as his hands moved over my back to the enclosures there. “Don’t you dare! My dad and your mom are right over there!”
He leaned down and swept me into his arms. “Fine. We’ll do it the old-fashioned way then.”
The crowd cheered around us.
As he walked out the event room’s double doors and headed for the elevator, I put my arms around him and rested my head on his chest.
I was exactly where I wanted to be.
The End