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We sip our cocktails and visit with our guests. I keep bursting into happy tears as people hug us. Laugh with us. Tell us over and over again how they knew we’d end up together.
“But really,” I ask Abel. “Did everyone see it but us?”
Tuck drains his whiskey. “I saw it. Just didn’t want to believe it.”
My heart dips. I glance at Abel. He glances back.
We don’t have to tell my family that our engagement wasn’t exactly legit in the beginning. We’re engaged for real now, and that’s what matters, isn’t it?
We do have an important question we have to ask them, however. One we discussed on the ride over to Stede’s a little while ago.
Judging by the way Abel slips his hand into mine andlooks meaningfully at me, he’s ready to ask said question. “Should we take five? Have a little chat, the four of us?”
Tuck eyes us. “A chat about what?”
“C’mon.” Abel tilts his head toward the parking lot. “We need privacy. Joe, you’re coming too.”
My pulse is racing as we walk into the darkness. Abel draws to a stop just outside the circle of light put off by the restaurant.
He is still holding my hand.
“No punching,” I say.
Tuck’s eyes go wide. “What the hell is?—”
“I’m kidding.” I nudge him with my elbow. “We wanted to ask y’all something.”
Dad glances between Abel and me. His lips twitch. “I’m all ears.”
“Basically”—I meet Abel’s eyes—“while we don’t regret getting married, we realized that doing it without our family and friends there was the wrong move.”
Dad is full-on smiling now. “I like the sound of this.”
“Not gonna lie, I do too,” Tuck adds. “Jen’s always wanted a big wedding.”
“And she’s gonna get one. A real ceremony, and a real reception.” Abel curls an arm around my waist. “It’s why we’re having tonight’s party—a kick off to wedding season, because there’s going to be a lot of weddings happening.”
“Lu and Riley,” Dad says. “And now you two.”
Abel’s shoulders rise on an inhale. “Yes. And we’d like to ask y’all to be my best men.”
Silence. I’m vaguely aware of the sounds of the party nearby. Laughter. The music.
Sweat breaks out along my scalp.
“Your best men,” Tuck repeats. “You’re serious.”
Abel nods. “I’m serious, yeah.”
“Well, I for one am honored.” Dad extends his hand toAbel. “You’ve always been a part of our family. And now I know you’ll alwaysbea part of it. I’m thrilled, y’all. Truly.”
Abel takes Dad’s hand, and of course Dad pulls him in for a hug, the two of them crying and slapping each other’s backs.
Abel closes his eyes. “Thank you, Joe. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“Tuck?” I turn to my brother, who’s standing beside me with his hands on his hips. “Any thoughts?”
My brother blinks. That’s when I realize he’s crying too. “’Course I’m in. I’m sorry I was so hard on y’all. You’re showing me—God.” He sniffles. “I was wrong, and I’m sorry. Abel, it’d be an honor to be your best man. Yes.”
