“Thank you guys for pitching in and helping us plan this wedding.” Liv glanced around the table to each of us before settling her gaze on Katie. “Especially you, Katie, for making the most gorgeous wedding cake I’ve ever seen.”
It was true. The five-tiered cake could have been ripped directly out ofSouthern Livingmagazine. The statuesque confection looked like beautiful ribbons stacked upon each other and was adorned with tequila sunrise roses Katie had crafted herself.
Katie reached across the table and grabbed Liv’s hand. “I just want you to have the most perfect day. You deserve it.”
Liv’s phone rang, and as she plucked it from her bag, a puzzled expression flashed across her face. “Huh. That’s the social worker. I better take this.”
“Of course,” I said, and we all grew quiet as she answered the call.
“Hi, Ms. Ross.” Liv smiled into the phone. “How are you?” She paused for a moment. “Yes, the wedding is tomorrow. We’re so excited.” She fell silent once more, but her face grew pensive, and her eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I can’t possibly be hearing you right.” Liv’s eyes glossed over with tears.
Antoni flashed me a worried glance, and Grace hung on every word Liv said. Katie instinctively placed a comforting hand on Liv’s arm.
“Yes,” Liv choked out, and I watched her intently, waiting for any clues she might give. “Yes, of course. Jax and I will come to meet you right away. Thank you so much, Ms. Ross. Thank you. Yes, I’ll see you soon.” Liv pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it as though she were a squirrel who’d just darted in front of a semi-truck. “I… I have to go. I have to call Jax. We have to go meet the social worker.”
I touched her arm. “Is everything okay?”
Liv turned to me with tears streaming down her face as a smile formed on her lips. “We got a placement.”
“Oh, babe,” I cried. “That’s wonderful!” Liv's struggle with infertility had already led her and Jax to start the process of becoming foster parents with hopes of adopting, so this was amazing news.
Katie’s eyes welled up with tears, and Grace squealed with excitement.
“Yassss, honey!” Antoni cheered. “You just tell me what you guys need, and I’ll help you get everything taken care of while you two are on your honeymoon.”
“There won’t be a honeymoon. We’ll have to go to Knoxville to get the kids on Sunday.” Liv chewed her lip.
“What?” I asked louder than I intended. “That’s—wait. Did you saykids?”
“As in plural?” Katie asked.
Liv nodded. “Siblings. A two-year-old and a five-year-old.”
“Hot damn, yes ma’am!” Antoni dabbed at the corners of his eyes with his napkin. “Oh, Liv, I’m so happy for you!”
Liv grabbed my hand, her eyes filled with joy and hope. “I’m going to be a mom, Ella.”
“I… honey, I’m so happy for you.” I pulled her into my arms.
And I was happy for her. But as I held my best friend on the brink of a brand new family and some of the best days of her life, I couldn’t help but feel that all of my best days were behind me.
Two
Cash
“Cash,can you help me with this?” Jax asked as he fiddled with the peach-colored tie. “I’m so damn nervous that my hands are shaking.”
I chuckled. “Sure.” I placed the tumbler of scotch I’d been drinking on the credenza and set to work on forming Jax’s tie into a crisp Windsor Knot.
I remembered those wedding jitters well. About fifteen years ago, I’d been in a little white room a lot like the one we were standing in, sweating profusely as I awaited the moment I got to say ‘I do’ to the love of my life, Carrie Davis. Of course, I was just becoming a husband that day, unlike Jax who was about to become a husband and a dad all within twenty-four hours of each other.
“I still can’t believe this is happening.” Jax’s eyes were as big as saucers. “This is really happening, right?”
“It is.” I smiled at him. “It really is.” I clapped him on the back and gave his shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
Jax’s expression grew wistful. “I wish Carrie was here to see it.”
Working with Midnight in Dallas had been one of the greatest blessings of my life. The guys had become my own ragtag band of brothers. It was only natural that they ended up spending a good bit of time with Carrie too.
