A collective groan echoed a cow’s moo.
“I think they’ve got it.” Ben’s mom stood from the front row. She clapped her hands. “Now we eat. I’ve prepared a Greek feast for you all.”
The wedding party filed out. Amanda stepped to my side. “Do you think if I gave her a Bundt cake, she’d put a potted plant in the center?”
“Amanda,” I scolded.
“Or maybe she has a bottle of Windex in her purse in case one of us gets a scrape.”
I sliced a glower at her. “I really can’t believe the words coming out of your mouth right now.”
She laughed. “I’m only teasing. Although I wonder if there’s any truth to it, since Nia Vardalos is Greek after all.”
“How about you just eat the Moussaka and don’t say anything else outrageous.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Saying outrageous things is your bit. Although maybe you’re too preoccupied with a certain doctor to make statements about the decline of our planet?”
I watched Drew as he chased Sierra and Ben’s daughter, Chloe, in a game of tag. “Not preoccupied, but maybe my sharp edges are finally being rounded out.”
* * *
The wedding ceremony went without a hitch. The day dawned all blue skies and fluffy white clouds. There weren’t any last-minute disasters of rips in hems or the cake not showing up. No one tripped down the aisle or fainted from having their knees locked and standing too long. The whole thing had been picture-perfect, and now Molly was Mrs. Reed…or she would be after a long wait at the social security office.
Malachi and his family had transformed one of their barns into a reception hall. Twinkly lights swagged from the rafters, and white linens had been draped on round tables. Mums and sunflowers added color. Rustic charm at its finest.
But the best part was the overwhelming joy on both Molly’s and Ben’s faces. As well as little Chloe. I didn’t think I’d seen any of them stop smiling all day.
I hadn’t stopped smiling either. Yes, because I was happy for my friends, but also for other reasons. Okay, one reason: Drew. The little looks he gave me that made me feel seen and special. The small touches that had awareness tingling up and down my arms.
And for all the attention he paid me, he showered as much on Sierra. I dabbed at the corner of my eye, liquid emotion spilling over. Drew had marched over to my little girl and bowed over an extended hand like a prince would to a princess, asking her to dance. She’d blushed and taken his hand, and he’d led her to the dance floor. Now they swayed to the music, Sierra standing on the top of Drew’s feet as he taught her the steps of the dance.
Maybe it was the wedding or watching the two of them, but I found my thoughts on a certain path. That of the future. I no longer asked myself if I could imagine a futurewithDrew. Now I asked if I could imagine onewithouthim.
The answer was a resounding no.
The music stopped, and Drew bowed again, gallant as any lord to his lady. Sierra giggled and dropped to a curtsy.
“Come on girls. Time to throw the bouquet.” Molly grabbed her flowers and skipped to the edge of the cleared dance floor.
A presence filled the space behind me. Drew’s arms came around my waist, his cheek to my temple. “You snatch those flowers out of the air like Lynn Swann in Superbowl Ten.”
My chest rumbled. “I have no idea who that is.”
He growled. “Just catch the bouquet, woman.”
I turned in his arms to face him. “You do know what catching the bouquet means, don’t you?”
He leaned his forehead on mine and stared into my eyes. “I don’t care if anyone else thinks it’s too early to say it. I’ve been saying things to you prematurely from the beginning. Why stop now? I love you, Nicole.”
He loved me.
Some women would have melted from such a declaration. Me? My spine turned to iron. I pressed up on my toes and kissed him hard on the mouth. “Those flowers are mine, Bauer.”
His chuckle followed me as I made my way to the crowd of women.
To my right, Malachi stood in front of Jocelyn, his hands on her shoulders, his gaze intent on her face. She seemed determined as she dipped her chin. Malachi removed his Stetson and set it on top of Jocelyn’s curls, the headwear looking as much a part of her as her flowing gown did.
“I love you, but don’t get in my way,” she warned as she took the spot beside me.
