Chapter 25 #2
“I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my entire life,” Riley said.
“Neither have I.”
He took her by the hand and led her into his aunt Linda’s office, closing the door behind him so he could kiss her the way he was dying to without his entire family watching.
After the longest, sexiest, deepest kiss of his life, he said, “You can’t ever leave me again.
I was totally fine before I had you, but I’m not fine at all without you. I almost went crazy.”
She clung to him, kissing his face and neck. “I was just as crazy without you, and I don’t want to be anywhere but where you are.”
“Love you so much, Nik,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you just as much, Riley.”
They were the best words he’d ever heard.
No one could party like the McCarthys, even in the dead of winter. The champagne flowed as a delicious dinner of prime rib and lobster was served. As the waitstaff cleared the tables, Riley stood up and tapped his knife against a crystal glass to get everyone’s attention.
“My co-best man and I would like to thank everyone for being here tonight to help us welcome Chelsea into the McCarthy family. Chelsea, you’ve been around us long enough to be fully aware of what you’re getting into.”
Chelsea nodded and laughed. “I’m not scared.”
“She hasn’t seen our full potential yet,” Mac said, rubbing his hands together. “Now that they’re married, it’s back to business as usual.”
Big Mac gave his oldest son a smack upside the head that brought down the house.
“As I was saying,” Riley continued, “Finn and I want to be the first to welcome you to the family and apologize in advance for whatever might happen next.”
“Got it,” Chelsea said, giving him a thumbs-up.
Kevin smiled and kissed her.
With Nikki sitting next to him and gripping his hand under the table throughout dinner, Riley had finally been able to relax and enjoy the wedding, even if he burned to get her alone. Soon enough, he’d told himself. Soon enough.
“I just want to say that it’s obvious to me and Finn and everyone else in this room that we’re witnessing true love here, and true love is so hard to find and even harder to hold on to.
” Glancing down at Nikki for a second, he said, “When you find it, you should hold on to it with everything you have, the way Dad and Chelsea have. I love you both and wish you a long and happy life together. Finn, your turn, and I apologize in advance for whatever he says.”
Riley sat, put his arm around Nikki and kissed her.
“Dad and Chelsea,” Finn said, “I’m not the sickening romantic that my brother has become since Nicholas came along, but let me just add that you guys are a great couple, and we love you both. Congratulations and best wishes for many years of happiness. To Kevin and Chelsea.”
“I’m going to shoot him,” Riley muttered.
“Don’t do that,” Nikki said. “I’ve got better things to do than bail you out of jail.”
“Like what?” he asked.
Whispering in his ear, she said, “You.”
“Don’t do that to me when we can’t be alone for hours.”
She flashed a coy grin that made him want to say to hell with the fucking wedding. But he couldn’t do that when the groom was his dad and he was one of the best men.
Owen invited the bride and groom to the dance floor and, with Niall’s help, played a cool, sultry acoustic version of “Beginnings” by Chicago, one of Kevin’s favorite songs.
“God, this song,” Finn said. “How many millions of times did we hear this as kids?”
“Ten million,” Riley said. “Easily.”
“I’ve never heard it,” Nikki said.
“Seriously?” Finn said. “Then you can’t marry into the family. Sorry.”
“Finn!” Riley said.
Finn busted up laughing. “Relax, bro. For some reason, she totally digs you. Not even I can scare her off.”
“That’s right,” Nikki said. “So go away and leave us alone.”
“You’re the best girlfriend I’ve ever had,” Riley said.
“She’s the only girlfriend you’ve ever had.”
Finn’s life was saved by Adam and Abby, who were walking baby Liam and stopped by to say hello.
“Nikki, this is my new cousin Liam, and you remember his parents, Adam and Abby.”
“Congratulations,” Nikki said, giving the baby a longing glance. “He’s beautiful.”
“We’re quite smitten,” Abby said.
“Looks like you guys are figuring out the parent gig,” Riley said.
“Slowly but surely,” Abby said. “Good thing Liam doesn’t know we’re clueless.”
“You know what the best part of adopting is?” Adam asked, gazing at his son with obvious adoration.
“What’s that?” Riley asked.
“No waiting six weeks after the birth to get back in the saddle,” Adam said with a dirty grin for his wife.
While Finn, Riley and Nikki laughed, Abby slugged his arm. “Adam! Shut up!” To Nikki, she said, “I apologize for him.”
“No need,” Nikki said. “That was funny.”
“Nothing funny about it,” Adam said, waggling his brows.
Abby glowered at her husband. “On that note, it’s time to get Liam home to bed,” Abby said.
“She said bed,” Adam said.
Ignoring him, Abby said, “Please give your dad and Chelsea our best.”
The bride and groom were completely caught up in each other.
“Will do,” Riley said.
“They’re so cute,” Nikki said. “And that baby is adorable.”
“They were told they couldn’t have children and decided to adopt. They got really lucky when another couple couldn’t take the baby.”
“I’m so glad it worked out for them.”
“Me, too. They’re a great couple.” Lowering his voice, he said, “Here’s a little family gossip for you. Long before Abby was with Adam, she dated his brother Grant.”
“Which one is Grant?”
Riley pointed him out. “He and his wife, Steph, spend the winters in LA. They came home for the wedding.”
“How did he feel about his brother dating his ex?”
“He was so happy with Steph by then that he didn’t mind. It’s all ancient history now.”
“How is Shane doing?”
Riley looked over to where Shane was seated at a table with Katie, Laura, Frank, Betsy, Joe and Janey. “He seems okay. I’m sure Courtney’s death is still weighing heavily on his mind, but we’ve been rallying around him and making sure he stays focused on the present.”
“You have a really great family, Riley. I hope you know how lucky you are.”
“I do.” Fortified by champagne and the thrill of having her back by his side, he took it a daring step further. “Maybe someday you’ll be a McCarthy, too.”
Smiling, she said, “Wouldn’t that be something?”
He’d gone from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, and all it had taken was having her walk in the door. “Have you been to the house yet?”
She shook her head. “Jordan got me a private flight straight to the island. There was a delay leaving LA, which is what made me late. I came right here from the airport.”
“I’m glad you haven’t been there yet. I’ve got something I want to show you.” He leaned in and kissed her, lingering despite the roomful of people around them. His love had come home. Nothing else mattered.