“Tell me something useful to get Boston Black into my bed.”
Reno leans back andcackles. In the middle of the ceremony. Boston’s eyes flare and my brother’s head snaps to us with a look of warning.
“I don’t think Boss has a death wish,” Reno whispers.
Callum leans across both Lemmy and me to slap Reno on the leg. Hard.
Reno, wisely, shuts up.
Aura’s husband and her daughter are next, walking Penny and Declan’s three dogs down the aisle. They’re wearing the black collars that we picked up, their names and flowers that match the bridesmaids’ bouquets threaded into the faux leather. Two of them want to stop and say hello to everyone in the vicinity, unaware that they’re currently in the middle of a very important job. The second that Declan drops to a crouch, they rush to the end of the aisle toward him instead.
My throat tightens as he takes a second to drink them in, his eyes filling with tears. He kisses each of them on their heads, scratching their fur where he can, wiping at his eyes discreetly. When he rises to his feet, Lauren’s husband swoops in to lead them away and keep them busy, and Aura’s husband finds his seat with his daughter in tow.
This might be the best wedding I’ve ever been to and it’s barely started.
The music changes, and a melodic violin rendition ofHeavenby Bryan Adams begins to play. The crowd rises to their feet.
My heart tightens with anticipation. I love weddings, but I love this moment most of all. The moment where the groom seesthe bride for the first time. This is when it all becomes real. This is the moment everyone holds their breath for.
I glance toward the altar.
Reno leans over to Oz. “Hundred bucks says he cries.”
Oz shakes his head. “He’s probably cried four times since he woke up. Not taking that bet.”
“Both of you,” Callum snaps, and they go rigid. “Enough.”
The doors to the venue open, and a quiet gasp rushes through the crowd.
My hand goes to my heart at the sight of her.Wow.
Penelope Sweeten is beautiful, but Penelope Sweeten as a bride might have the power to stop time.
On her father’s arm, she’s in a stunning gown, one that I can only imagine was made for her and her alone. It’s a mermaid-style dress with a straight neckline, an image of pure luxury with French lace and detailed beading. The gown is breathtaking, especially with its elegant off-the-shoulder sleeves that make her look regal and poised. She has a veil, but didn’t pull it over her face, allowing it to trail behind the long train of her dress.
And it also allows her husband to see those eyes that he’s obsessed with.
“There he goes,” Reno whispers.
I glance at the altar and my throat tightens. Declan is fully crying, wiping at his eyes with a handkerchief that looks like it’s a piece of Penny’s altered dress, something she must have given to him ahead of the ceremony.
Seth swallows, patting Declan on the back.
I do a quick scan over the other groomsmen. My brother’s big, blue eyes are sparklier than usual. Caulfield is a lost cause. He stares at the sky to try and stop any tears, but he’s a goner. EJ might be beaming from ear to ear, but his eyes are a tad watery, too.
It’s only Boston who isn’t emotional. He’s smiling, but he isn’t affected the way the rest of them are. His eyes slide to mine, as if sensing my stare, and I rip my gaze away to watch the bride instead.
Penny passes our row, her eyes never once leaving the man at the end of the aisle. She mouths a silent‘hi’.
He nods, mouthing it back.
She blinks to try and stop her own tears, taking in a big, stabilizing breath.
“Wow,” Lemmy says.
“She’s beautiful,” I confirm, quietly.
When Penny makes it to the end of the aisle, she slowly reaches up to brush the tears from Declan’s face. He leans into her touch with big, soft eyes, pressing a kiss to her palm, and the world around them appears to vanish. It’s just them. Like it’s always been in their world, I imagine.
