“The change in Nate was immediate when he first met Savanna. This was a guy who, at the time, could have multiple women throwing themselves at him and he wouldn’t blink an eye. Wasn’t interested. Didn’t care. His sole focus was firefighting and the bar. He lived and breathed work, and wouldn’t make room for anything else. It didn’t matter how many of us bugged him that he needed to get laid, or was wasting the best years of his life away, all he wanted to do was work.”
“Then one day I walk into the bar, and he tells me this story about a woman on an elevator who called men disgusting, filthy pigs,” Liam says, getting a few chuckles out of the crowd, probably from those who actually know the story. “She’d left such an impression on him that he’d actually told me about her, and I knew right then this woman had to be a damn unicorn.”
“But of course, despite my best efforts over the years to teach him, my dude has zero game, so he didn’t even get her number.” Liam shakes his head, sighing loudly before he lights up, throwing a finger in the air. “Thank god for fate.”
“Now, most of you probably know the story, and those that don’t can ask them later because I don’t want to bore you with the details of their love story, but let me tell you, since the day fate intervened, Nate has been different.”
Liam angles himself to look at the couple at the center of the head table. His eyes land on Savanna, and he smiles at her. “You. You, Savanna, are the reason he’s different. I’ve watched my best friend become a whole new version of himself because of you. These days he doesn’t work himself to death. He takes time for himself, for his family, his friends, and especially for you.”
“Because of you he’s rediscovered his love of hiking, and his love of kicking my ass at pool,” Liam pauses to chuckle. “He’s learned to slow down and spend days doing nothing but enjoying you. While he was always calm at work, these days he’s also less task driver—probably in thanks to some pile driver—and more relaxed.”
“I may not be the guy who believes in fairytales and happily ever after, but I do believe that you and Nate are meant to be. A year ago Brody and I told you that you were one of us, and that’s truer today than it was back then.”
Liam takes his drink from where he has it on the podium andbegins to lift it into the air. “So I want to raise my glass to you, specifically, Savanna, and say thank you. Thank you for coming into my best friend’s life and enriching it. Thank you for making him the best version of himself. Thank you for being you.”
He pauses to look out over the crowd, lifting his glass an inch higher. “Please join me by raising your glass to celebrate both Savanna and Nate.”
Raising my glass along with everyone else in the room, we all take a sip before applause begins while Liam goes to hug them both. As he’s letting go of Savanna and holding her seat out for her, he shoots me a wink before taking his place at the other end of the table for the remainder of the speeches.
Like the rest of the day, they go by fast. It’s crazy to me that we’re already through dinner and nearly all the speeches. Which means the best part of the evening is almost upon us. Dancing.
That part could slow down. I’d like to savor the dance party I know is going to happen. The whole day has been nothing short of magical, from the ceremony to the reception, and I’d really love if we could all hold the magic in for a little longer.
Plus, the longer it goes on, the further away a goodbye with Liam is.
Our time is running out. The thought has plagued me all day, creeping into my mind at the most inopportune times. With it comes the same feeling every time. Like someone has dropped a thousand pound weight on my chest, making it impossible to breathe.
I don’t want it to be over. I don’t want to give him up.
This was all part of the deal, though. From the moment this began, we both knew it had an end. The other day I had a choice to make—keep going, or give him up early, knowing full well the aftermath I could be left with. I made my choice, and I’d make thesame one over and over again, but those consequences are already hitting me.
Tomorrow my heart is going to break.
“Hi beautiful.”
Liam’s voice in my ear gives me a start. I don’t know when he snuck around to me, but he’s leaning over my shoulder with his mouth near my ear. One hand is on the back of my chair, the other rests on the table, and with Maddie on my other side, I’m effectively caged in. Not that I mind. In fact, I release a deep breath, relaxing in my seat.
“Hi.”
Nate and Savanna just finished their first spin around the dance floor as husband and wife, and are about to have the mother-son, father-daughter dance. Savanna looks enchanting and magical in a lace gown that looks like it was made for her alone. Nate is equally as dashing in his tux. The two were made for each other, and good lord I want it. I want a love like theirs that is mine.
And damn it, I want it with Liam.
“What’s going on in that pretty head?” Liam whispers.
I can only tell him half the truth. “Just thinking how perfect Nate and Sav are together. How perfect today has been.”
And how I don’t know how I’m going to face tomorrow.
“Good speech, by the way,” I add. “It was funny and sweet. Nate may have wanted to die a little, but he’ll get over it.”
Liam grins at me. “He knew what he was getting when he asked me.”
He makes a good point. If Nate thought he’d come away from that speech unscathed, he really should have asked Brody. Then again, I’m not sure Brody would have been up to the task. Between losing Heather and being a man of few words, Liam was the better choice. Even if he is love-averse.
Something I need to remind myself of.
He leans closer to me, murmuring in my ear, “Bridal party dance is up next.”
