“You saw me an hour ago.”
“That was an hour too long.”
She laughed, soft and warm. “You’re being very charming. It’s suspicious.”
“Can’t I just be happy?”
“You can. But you’re also nervous about something. I can tell.”
Of course she could. She always could.
“Tomorrow,” I said quietly. “I’m nervous about tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to show me your whole life. And what if I don’t fit into it?”
She set down her camera bag and stepped closer, taking my hands. “Dex. You’re going to fit. I promise.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Yes, I can. Because I’m going to make sure you do. We’re in this together, remember? You’re not doing this alone.”
I kissed her forehead, breathing in the scent of her perfume mixed with something uniquely Leigh. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now let me work. I have a job to do.”
“Slave driver.”
“I’m the one working!” Her head threw back as she laughed, and I marvelled at the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
She picked up her camera and disappeared into the crowd, already snapping candid shots of guests laughing and toasting and celebrating.
I watched her work for a moment, marveling at how natural she was at this. How she made people comfortable, drew out genuine smiles, captured real moments instead of posed ones.
She was good at what she did.
And tomorrow, I was going to see just how good.
Toasts began after dinner.
Booker went first, as best man. His speech was funny and heartfelt and I couldn’t help but wonder if Reece had helped out our usually stoic brother. He talked about Trace’s journey and how love had transformed him.
Blake went next, as maid of honor. She cried through half of it, talking about how Delaney had become family and how happy she was to call her a sister.
Then it was my turn.
I stood, glass in hand, and looked at Trace and Delaney.
They were holding hands, looking at each other with so much love it was almost painful to witness.
This was the love I wanted. The forever kind. The choosing-each-other-every-day kind.
“Trace,” I began, “you’re not just my best friend. You’re my brother in every way that matters.”
He smiled, his eyes already getting misty.
“When I first came to Willowbrook, I was lost. I was a kid who’d just lost his dad, trying to figure out how to survive ina town where I didn’t know anyone. You and your brothers gave me a home. You gave me a family. You taught me what loyalty means. What friendship means. What it looks like to love someone completely.”
