Page 117 of Filthy Twisted Devil

Jasper takes a step toward me next. “Look, I’m just glad you’ve got someone who actually shows up for you. If he keeps doing that, I guess we’ll get used to him.”

Luke lets out a soft chuckle, then turns to Wade, who lets out a long-suffering sigh.

“Just tell me this,” he says. “Is our grain deal still on the table? Because I already set aside the acreage and ordered the seed. It’d be damn inconvenient to change it now.”

“It was never off the table,” Luke says. “When I make a deal, I honor it.”

Wade holds his gaze for a long moment, measuring. Then he reaches out his hand, and Luke shakes it.

“She laughs more since you,” Wade adds, so low I almost miss it. From Wade, that’s not an observation. It’s a benediction.

My chest cracks open with relief. Maybe for the first time in my life, I have all my brothers’ approval. I wasn’t really waiting for their permission to date Luke—I’m still done with them telling me what to do. All the same, it’s sweeter to have their blessing. It means they’ll accept Luke as part of our family, as my partner.

I would bask in the joy of it a little longer, but the groomsmen are about to enter the barn, and I have a bridal party to fetch. Letting go of Luke’s hand, I switch to event planner mode.

“I’m so glad we figured this out, but I have a bride who’s going to be walking down that aisle in about three minutes, so could everybody take their damn place?” All the most important men in my life nod. “Okay. Thanks.”

Walking down the aisle on Luke’s arm, I feel like I’m floating. The wildflower bouquets catch the light, the lights twinkling above us. The guitarist sings “Something” by the Beatles, Beau’s choice. The whole world feels like it’s shimmering.

Luke shakes Beau’s hand as we get to the altar, and we both take our places as the man and maid of honor. Luke grins at me, looking so charming that butterflies burst in my stomach.

Then Brinley appears at the back of the aisle, and everyone gasps.

Her dress is simple yet romantic, a lacy ivory dress that clings to her curves and makes her pale skin glow. Tears immediately spring to Beau’s eyes, which he tries to covertly wipe away with his thumb. He fails completely, and him tearing up makes half the guests start crying—me included. From behind me, Pippa hands me a tissue. Apparently, she came prepared.

The ceremony is perfect. Brinley’s vows are witty, clever, and detailed, perfectly painting the picture of their relationship. Beau’s vows are heartbreakingly sincere, affection dripping from every word.

Across the happy couple, Luke and my eyes meet. We grin at each other over the heads of the two people we love most, and for the first time since October, there’s nothing between us—no arrangement, no rules, no napkin, no end date. Just the two of us, standing behind the people we love, finally allowed to want each other in front of the world.

51

EDEN

The centerpiece at the next table over is three inches to the left of where it should be.

My fingers twitch. I’m dying to go fix it. It would only take a minute to do, even if nobody would notice the asymmetry but me.

“Don’t even think about it,” Luke says.

“What are you talking about?”

“Whatever tiny detail you’re about to go fix. You can stop.” He squeezes my hand. “The wedding’s over. The food’s served, the cake’s sliced, and everyone’s dancing. There’s nothing left that you have to do. Now eat your cake and let yourself enjoy the night.”

“But it’s going to bug me,” I mutter.

“What is?”

I point. “That centerpiece.”

He turns around in his chair to look. “What about it?”

“It’s off center.”

“Don’t worry.” Luke leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “I got it.”

I watch as he moves to the table and adjusts the centerpiece two more inches to the left.

“Wrong direction,” I moan, standing to do it myself. Before I can touch it, Luke has my hand and he’s leading me out to the dance floor. Beau and Brinley stand in the middle, enthusiastically dancing to “Mamma Mia.” Brinley beckons me over to join them, and I can’t say no to the bride.