Chapter 33
Aspen
Happy Ever After
I’d never seen the lake look this perfect.
The late afternoon sun had turned the water into a mirror of shimmering gold, broken only by the swans gliding along the surface.
Despite only giving her six weeks to organize her only daughter’s wedding day, Mom had outdone herself.
White roses and pink peonies framed the arch by the shoreline, and matching pink bows adorned the backs of the chairs set up on either side of a makeshift aisle.
The place was packed.
Mom had prepared a backup plan in case of rain, but the Seattle weather had played ball with a flush of late summer warmth instead of the drizzle my hometown was known for.
I smoothed my hand down the silk of my ivory gown and gazed at my reflection in the mirror. My shoulders shimmered with bronze highlighter, and the fit of the gown—nipped in at the waist, flared at the hip—allowed me to move freely.
I’d held my own in boardrooms, stared down rock stars’ agents, negotiated tough deals, yet I’d never felt as nervous as I did today.
“Stop fidgeting.”
I turned toward the voice. Mom crossed my childhood bedroom and tugged my hands away from the fabric. “You’ll wrinkle it.”
“I can’t help it.” I stared down at my twisted hands and laughed. “I’m nervous. Can you believe it? Me? I’m never nervous.”
Her eyes softened. “You’re marrying the man you love. It’s a big day.” She caught my hands in hers and pulled them apart. “And, God, you look beautiful. Your father has been on the verge of tears all day just thinking about walking you down the aisle.”
“Tell Dad he’s not to steal my thunder. If anyone’s blubbering today, it’s me.”
She chuckled. “I’ll give you a few minutes alone, then I’ll send your father in.” She kissed my cheek. “Good luck, darling.”
Alone once more, I began fiddling with my dress again.
“Jesus Christ, girl, get it together.” I headed over to the window and stared down at the assembled guests.
My eyes alighted on Arthur sitting in the third row behind my cousin, Kadon.
At first, I couldn’t figure out what he was doing with Kadon’s hair.
Then I saw it and burst out laughing. He was braiding it.
My surf-loving, beach club owner cousin must’ve given him permission.
Anything to keep idle hands busy, I guessed.
God, I loved that kid. I might not want any of my own, but I could not love that little boy more than if I had given birth to him.
I looked up at the sky. “You did good, Caroline. I promise we’ll look after him and your mom.”
A tap came on the door, and I turned around as Dad entered. He took one look at me, and his eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” I wagged my finger at him. “No tears until after the ceremony, and then I’m first.”
My teasing helped hold his emotions at bay. He chuckled. “There’s my girl. Ready, sweetheart?”
I took a steadying breath and pinned my shoulders back. “As I’ll ever be.”
The house was deathly silent as we made our way down the sweeping staircase to the first floor.
Two members of the staff opened the French doors that led out to the lake.
We stepped outside. A hum trickled through the congregation, and heads turned in my direction.
The world sharpened, the rows of guests rising, and a harpist struck up a tune.
The sea of faces blurred. All except for one. Joz.
Hair neatly pulled back into a man bun, his beard trimmed, his athletic frame poured into a suit he’d wear only once. My man was a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy but, damn, he rocked that suit like a pro. Maybe I could persuade him to wear it again, just for me, so I could slowly peel it off of him.
His eyes locked on me with a devotion so fierce and a love so bright, I almost lost it right then and there. His lips curved into the smallest of smiles, and he brought steepled fingers to them. Beside him, Erin bounced on her toes.
I loved that he’d asked her to be his best woman.
When we reached the arch, Dad pressed a kiss to my cheek, then gave my hand to Joz. And just like that, the world narrowed to only us.
“Hey, Spitfire.”
“Hey yourself.”
The minister began, but honestly, I hardly heard her.
I caught fragments, talking of love and trust and honesty and forgiveness, but my whole focus was on Joz’s face.
The intensity, the raw emotion, the truth only I saw.
He wasn’t a global rock star today, the legend the world thought they knew. He was mine. My Joz.
We stumbled through our vows and exchanged rings, and then Joz was kissing me. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, but it was Arthur’s loud “Ew” that echoed through the fog, and I broke away, laughing against Joz’s lips.
The weather held, allowing the reception to take place in a marquee on the lawn. We ate, we drank, and we danced to a live band Joz had hired, although this time he remained firmly in the role of guest. Maybe when we were alone, I could persuade him to play the song he sang the night he proposed.
The tinkling of silverware against a champagne glass caught everyone’s attention. Dad, with his cheeks still tearstained from his third, or was it fourth, bout of crying, stood to make his speech. It was beautiful and heartfelt, and by the time he finished there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“My turn,” Erin said after Dad had sat down to rapturous applause.
“Oh, God,” Joz groaned.
She raised a champagne glass at Joz and grinned wickedly.
“First of all, I never thought I’d witness my brother voluntarily wearing a suit.
Miracles truly do happen. If anyone is interested in a little bet, I’m running a book on how long he’ll last before he’s back in his trademark T-shirt and ripped jeans.
Come and see me after the speeches if you want in on it. ”
I grinned. Joz merely shook his head in quiet despair.
“When Joz first told me and Mum that he’d met the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, I thought he must’ve had a bang to the head.
My brother, the rock god, settling down?
Never. But then I met Aspen, and it all made sense.
Somehow, this amazing woman here has managed to turn my brother into a grown-up.
Well, mostly. The jury is still out on that one. ”
A smattering of laughter rose from the tables in front of us.
“Wrap it up, Erin, before I toss you in the lake.”
She chuckled, unfazed by his empty threat.
“But what I do know is that when I settle down, I want the guy I choose to look at me the way Joz looks at Aspen. Because a love like that is a dream come true.” She raised her glass in the air.
“Here’s to Aspen and Joz. May your marriage be filled with good coffee, incredible music, raucous laughter, and for Aspen to muster enough patience to survive my brother’s myriad bad habits. ”
The guests erupted into applause and cheers, and raised their glasses, too.
By mutual consent, Joz and I swerved the traditional couples dance by encouraging everyone to get up with us, then leaving the dance floor when no one was looking.
“Great strategy.” London clapped Joz on the shoulder. “I’ll keep that one in mind for when I get married.”
“You?” I arched a brow. “It’ll be quite some woman who takes you on.”
“Rude.”
“But accurate,” Roman said, joining us. “Welcome to the family, Joz. A piece of advice, now you’re tied to a Kingcaid. Remember she is always right, even when she’s wrong.”
“You’re such an ass.”
“Oh, and one more thing. Don’t hurt her, otherwise you’ll have me and London to answer to.” He smiled. I rolled my eyes.
“Good God. Did you really just threaten my husband?”
Joz slipped an arm around my waist, his thumb brushing my hip. “You don’t have anything to worry about on that score. And on the advice, got it. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’m going to steal my wife away for a bit of me and her time.”
He led me away from the party to the east side of the lake. The band’s music floated on the breeze, muted by distance. I rested my head on Joz’s shoulder as we stared at the moon’s reflection on the water.
“This feels unreal,” I whispered.
“It’s real.” He kissed my temple. “You’re mine. Officially, finally, forever mine.”
“And you’re mine.”
“Us against the world, Spitfire.”
He bent his head, and his lips closed over mine. His hands framed my cheeks, steady and sure, and I melted into his body. When we broke apart, he pressed his forehead to mine.
“Ready for forever?” I asked breathlessly.
He smiled. “I’ve been ready since the day you walked into my life.”
Hand in hand, we turned back toward the lights, toward our family and friends, and toward the life that was waiting for us.
Thank you for reading!