I chuckle and Sullivan’s eyes soften.
“Yes, Daddy’s happy. And I’m very proud, because I think you’re the best ‘best woman’ I’ve ever seen.”
Molly beams at his compliment and he kisses her curls.
“You are, Molly. Doing a great job,” Denver agrees.
“Thank you, Den-va,” she says proudly.
“Keep a tight hold on all those rings, okay, Sweetheart? You have the most important job here today. Without you, none of it can happen,” Sullivan tells her.
Molly nods, poking her lower lip out in concentration. “I can do it.”
I catch Sullivan’s eye, the nerves in my stomach being replaced by an overwhelming urge to hug them both and never let go.
“We know you can. That’s why we all chose you,” I say.
She grins at Denver, Sullivan, and me in turn.
Then her eyes go wide, and she points.
“Daddy!” she squeals.
Sullivan and I both whip our heads to where she’s pointing.
My heart soars like a goddamn firework, bursting into light at the sight of her.
I glance at Denver and Sullivan, in their matching tuxedos.
We’re all sharing the same intense looks of awe.
The piano music seamlessly builds in volume, beginning a new song, and all the guests rise, turning toward the petal-coated aisle that’s been built on boards over the sand.
The extra-wide aisle where three breathtaking brides stand beside three proud fathers.
“Absolutely incredible,” Sullivan breathes.
“Wow, Princess,” Denver rasps.
I hold Jude’s glittering eyes, my face breaking into a smile that matches hers. “New York City,” I whisper. “Thank you.”
47
JUDE
“Who knewyou were such a skilled dancer, Husband?” I tease, gazing at Slade as he expertly sways me in his arms.
“It’s the music, Wife. Who could not dance to this?”
I grin, looking at the small stage that’s been set up beneath a canopy of fairy lights. The band has been joined by Tate on the piano and my father on the guitar.
“He’s good,” Slade says.
“And look how much he’s enjoying himself!”
My father smiles at Tate as they play the closing chords, and the guests around us stop dancing and start whooping and clapping. The sight wraps around me like a warm blanket. Things have been so much better between my father and me since that day in the restaurant, when Slade broke down the bathroom door. He even insisted on throwing a family dinner to celebrate the completion of my project at work—the one that received generous anonymous funding. Funding I’ve since learned came from a certain Dr. Royston Yardley.
It was his way of showing how much he believes in what I do, and how proud he is of me.
