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The middle-aged minister, in a dark coat, a sliver of white at his collar, joined Paige and Evan beneath the arbor.
Standing together, their hands clasped, Evan said, “We wanted something small and informal, with the people most special to us in all the world.”
Everyone’s cameras and phones were exploding with the pictures they were taking as Evan raised Paige’s hand to his lips.
Their love was an aura surrounding them. Paige was the woman Evan should have married all those years ago, not her sister. Finally, the two of them had everything they wanted.
Cal rejoiced for their love and their union and the new baby to come. And worked like hell to squash every dark speck of bitterness inside him.
Paige and Evan turned to each other, and the minister began to speak, his voice resonating in the hall. “I don’t believe I’ve ever had a greater pleasure than bringing this couple together, a couple who are so in love and who give each other such unconditional support.” He smiled at them both. “I believe you’ve written your own vows.”
Paige smiled and held Evan’s hands in hers as she spoke the heartfelt words. “We were friends first. I admired you for your intelligence, your hard work, your kindness. You had a purpose, and you never let anything sway you. I fell in love with the good man you are. It was never about how handsome you were or the millions you were going to make. It was always about the beauty of your spirit.” She put her hand to her belly. “It’s about the wonderful father I know you’re going to be. I have always loved you, Evan, and I always will.”
Evan reached out, tenderly wiping a tear that trickled down Paige’s cheek. “I love you with every fiber of my being. I was never as smart as you about how to be happy, how I should live, and the best choices I could make. I made some horrendous mistakes. But in the end, all those mistakes led me to you. To this moment. To the life we’re building together.” He gently laid his hand over her curved belly. “And to the new life we’ve made. I will always strive to be the man you need. To be the kind of father our children need. I will always be here for you. And I will always love you with everything in me.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Even Cal felt an ache behind his eyes.
He looked at Lyssa. At the same moment, she turned to him. And gave him a misty smile.
And he was lost.
* * *
As if she didn’t have a will of her own, Lyssa’s gaze was drawn to Cal during the vows. Despite how shaky things had been between them since their plane ride home from London, she couldn’t help but smile as she looked at him.
She smiled for the beauty of the moment. For the sweetness of the love between Paige and Evan. Even for the pureness of the emotions she felt for Cal as her guard fell away in this moment, emotions that were stronger than anything she’d ever known.
Cal didn’t smile back. But he didn’t turn away either. She had no clue what was in his mind, if he still thought about holding her, kissing her, the ways they’d touched each other, the things he’d said when he was bringing her to the peak of ecstasy. All the things she’d been working so hard to forget.
Then the minister was saying, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Evan cupped Paige’s face, and he kissed her so softly, so gently, so sweet and long and lasting—just the way Lyssa knew their marriage would be.
Everyone agreed that Evan should never have married Whitney all those years ago. It should have been Paige right from the beginning. Lyssa wanted to be absolutely, positively sure that the first time she got married would be the only time.
She refused to let her eyes drift back to Cal and give in to the urge to drink him in. Clearly, their hours together on his plane had been a mistake, but hopefully not big enough to cause permanent damage to their careers, their friendship, or their hearts. Anything more between them, however, would surely turn their mistake into a catastrophe. There was no way she could allow that. As soon as she said her congratulations to the happy couple, and there was a chance to sneak away from the festivities without anyone noticing, she would pull Cal aside and put everything to rest. They could then move forward without any of this lingering weirdness.
The minister announced, “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Collins!”
As everyone cheered, Paige and Evan kissed again. Then Paige turned to the room and her whole family. “We have one more announcement. It’s been terribly hard to keep this secret, but we wanted it to be a huge surprise for everyone.”
