Almost as nervous as I feel.
He greets Archer first, and Archer introduces us.
“What’s wrong?” Archer asks Liam.
Liam’s eyes dart toward the door, and he clears his throat. “I, uh…” He trails off, and he draws in a breath. “I just got a phone call I wasn’t expecting.”
Archer’s brows dip. “Is everything okay?”
He bites his lip as he shakes his head. “I’m, uh…not sure.”
“What’s going on?” Archer asks.
I wonder how often these two talk like this—if at all. I know Archer isn’t close to his family, but maybe this wedding will be the vehicle that allows that to change.
Liam glances around again, and he studies Archer for a long moment as if he’s unsure whether to confide in him. “Not here.” He stalks off, and okay…that was weird, but I don’t have time to dwell on it because Ford and Tatum walk into the yard.
The crowd goes quiet for a beat, or maybe it’s just my imagination. Tatum breaks the ice by beelining over to me and giving me a hug, and the nerves about being here seem to melt away. We didn’t exactly get close in the Bahamas, but we did meet before. A familiar face is a familiar face, and a familiar face breaking the frigid ice at this reunion is maybe exactly what we both needed.
I’m still wondering what’s going on with Liam, but Madden asks everyone to take a seat as the ceremony is set to begin.
Maverick Jennings walks in, yet another star football player who’s about to marry into the Bradley family, and he looks nervous as hell as he makes his way to the altar located under a floral arch.
The music starts, and the rest of the wedding party walks down the aisle. Dex is with the maid of honor, who Archer tells me is Penny, Everleigh’s best friend. Archer points out his younger sister Ivy, who is being escorted by another groomsman, Lincoln Nash, the coach of the Vegas Aces, where Maverick is the quarterback.
It’s a truly star-studded event and not one that this travel blogger ever could have imagined she would find herself attending. Every detail is perfect, and no expense is spared.
In a former life—or like three months ago—attending an event like this would’ve been amazing content for my blog. I would’ve spent the entire time taking photos of every last detail.
Instead, I get to be present here. I get to watch and cry and laugh along with everyone else here today.
I took a few photos of the hotel, and I’ll write up a review. Knowing I can do it whenever I want and there’s no pressure is the exact sort of relief I was looking for. I get to do it for fun, and because of that, it’sbecomefun again.
The bride and groom are beautiful and emotional as they share their vows in front of the crowd gathered, and when it’s all over and they’re officially a married couple, the party begins.
We mingle with guests, and Archer introduces me to everyone as his girlfriend. Noticeably absent from the festivities is Archer’s dad—something for which Archer seems to be grateful, though he hasn’t said anything about it. I remember him mentioning that his dad was going to have to go to trial around the time Archer was set to getback on the field, and I wonder if the trial is starting or how all that works. It’s not a question for here, though.
I head to the restroom before dinner and find a line, with the maid of honor and Archer’s younger sister in front of me. I’m not about to interrupt, opting instead to mind my own business, and I swear I’m not eavesdropping when I hear Ivy ask Penny, “So what’s Liam going to do?”
My ears perk up after the strange way he was acting when I met him.
“I’m not sure,” Penny says. “I know he’s not interested in being with her, so I guess they’ll figure out some sort of custody arrangement.”
Custody?
The bathroom door opens, the next person goes in, and both Penny and Ivy turn to me.
“How are things with Archer?” Ivy asks.
“Incredible,” I say, and Ivy pulls me into an unexpected hug. Emotion pulses in me, like this woman might be my sister-in-law someday. She’s a couple years younger than me, but she seems so sweet and fun and like someone who could be a friend down the road—if Archer is willing to let his family back in. This could bemyfamily someday, too. And I want that. I grew up an only child, and the idea of a big family with lots of siblings has always appealed to me.
I guess both ways have advantages and disadvantages. We get what we get, but we also get the chance to choose.
“Thank you for making him happy,” she says softly. “You light him up in a way I’ve never seen.”
Penny nods her agreement, and I brush the tear from the corner of my eye.
“He’s lucky he found you,” Ivy says.
