“Yeah, but this time it’s for real,” Ashton replied.
Maverick spied his family waiting in front of Judge Reynolds’s chambers. “Hey, guys.” He could not stop smiling. “Thanks for being here.”
His dad hugged him. “Congratulations! I’m very happy for you, son. You two are perfect for each other.”
Hudson pulled him in for a handclasp. “You look good. What happened to Grizzly Adams?”
Laughing, Maverick ran his hands over his clean-shaved jawline. “Gotta look sharp for my bride.”
“This wedding is a long time coming,” Sinclair said.
Warren looked around. “Where are the ladies?”
“Desiree is driving Carly. Something about bad luck.”
“Our sister is a hopeless romantic,” Hudson said.
“Dad, I need to borrow your wedding bands a little longer.” He handed the rings to Sinclair.
“This does not make me your best man.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I’m too much of a sinner to be a ‘best’ anything.”
“A sinner with a pretty face is a dangerous combo.”
Sinclair chuckled. “I know, right? Nobody suspects a thing.”
“Just the opposite.” Maverick threw an arm around his brother. “Everyone sees you coming a mile away.”
The door opened and the judge smiled at Warren. “Good to see you, Warren.”
“You, too, Emily.”
She glanced around. “Where’s the bride?”
“En route,” Maverick replied.
Judge Reynolds ushered them into her chambers and Warren introduced his sons. Her office was stately, yet functional. Built-ins filled with law books lined one wall. The room’s focal point was the judge’s oversized desk that faced into the room.
A few moments later, there was a knock on the door.
“Here we go,” Sinclair said.
The judge opened the door. Desiree spoke with her for a brief second before entering the room alone and whispering to Warren. Maverick’s stomach dropped. Had Carly backed out?
“Are you ready?” Desiree asked him.
“I can’t do this without my bride.”
Desiree placed a small Bluetooth speaker on the table, pulled up Pachelbel’s Canon on her phone and nodded. Warren opened the door. Carly crossed the threshold and Maverick’s heart jumped into his throat.
“Wow,” he murmured.
Her fitted white dress hung off her shoulders. She’d worn her hair up, tendrils falling softly against her silky skin. But it was the happiness in her eyes that stole his heart.
She slipped her hand into the crook of Warren’s arm.
