Page 130 of Vow

“Good. You can help Neil cook. I paint—I don’t cook.”

Andino’s laughter filled the front yard. “I can absolutely do that.”

Her mother gave Haven a look. “And he cooks, too. I approve.”

Neil only laughed.

Because really, what else could they do?

Yeah, it was going to be great.

It couldn’t be anything less.

• • •

The movement around Haven’s still form seemed chaotic, and while she knew this was a big day … these women, and even her, had every single reason to rush, all she could do in that moment was stand there and watch.

How long had she wondered …

How often had she asked …

Haven never thought—after everything that happened—this day would be possible for her and Andino.

Their wedding day.

So, maybe her still daze could be excused because this was all a little surreal for her. Oh, she was happy. So happy. She wanted Andino more than anything else in her life—hadn’t she proven that time and time again?

It was only Andino’s mother stepping in Haven’s line of vision that broke her daydreaming. Kim wore a soft smile—as proud of a mother as she could be. The woman really was sweet, and wonderful.

All the Marcellos were, really.

They were just … protective.

Careful.

A little too cautious about those they allowed inside their family, and what the consequences might be when they did allow someone as close as Haven now was with them. And she understood, too.

They had something to keep safe.

This life.

Their love.

All of it.

She didn’t blame them for the hesitance they might have felt about her, or the warnings they’d repeated again and again. None of it had been personal … not when business and family was on the line, too.

Haven knew this now because she was one of them.

Or she would be.

Soon.

And once that little fact had become officially decided—although Andino hadn’t really given anyone a choice in the way he handled his business to get what he wanted—the rest of the Marcellos were quick to do what they needed to do for Haven. Anything and everything—she was pretty sure if she asked, they would try to give her the world.

She had a family.

A beautiful family.