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“We’re in business together, but your support the last few months has shown me that we’re family, too. Thank you for being here.”
He brings me in for a hug, then eases away. “I promised Allen I wouldn’t cry tonight. And you better not, either. You’ll ruin your makeup, and you look too stunning for tears, darling.”
“Can’t have that...”
“Now, come on. You have a New Year’s party to hostess.” He winks.
I wink back. “I do.”
He leads me into the hall, where my best friend, Kristi, is already waiting, in a gorgeous red dress that shows off her killer curves and a giant smile. “You look amazing. I’m so happy for you, girl.”
“I’m happy for me, too. Maybe for the first time in my life.”
She sighs wistfully. “I wish I could be half as lucky.”
“You will be.” I squeeze her hands. “Let’s put it out into the universe. I know there’s a man out there who will love you unconditionally forever. We just have to find him.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” she quips. “But today is about you. Ready to make your grand entrance?”
“Beyond.”
She turns to a niche in the hallway and hands me a cluster of roses. “You’ll need this.”
We share a last smile, and the music starts. Kristi walks down the hall and into the dining room in time with the music, catching the eye of more than one single guy in the room. Then the music changes, David squeezes my hand, and it’s time.
Suddenly, the small crowd stands and I walk past a lot of familiar faces—Rob, my mother and her husband, two of Rand’s brothers, and their parents—all wearing beaming smiles.
At the end of the room, my gorgeous hunk of a bodyguard-turned-boyfriend waits for me with his heart in his eyes. His older brother, Ransom, stands beside him, looking handsome and a bit mysterious in a charcoal suit.
“So I take it this isn’t actually a New Year’s Eve party?” Rand’s brother, Rush, calls out, clearly catching on.
“No, it’s a wedding. Surprise!” I call over my shoulder.
Everyone chuckles as the minister smiles and asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do.” David pats my hand softly before placing my palm in Rand’s and dropping a tender kiss on my cheek.
Ten minutes later, our previously stunned guests are still grinning or conspicuously sniffling as the minister pronounces us man and wife.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Rand does with gusto to a roomful of whistles and catcalls when the pucker goes on longer than is strictly polite.
“Get a room!” Rand’s youngest brother, Ridge, shouts.
My husband—wow, it seems crazy to say that—takes my hand and starts dragging me down the makeshift aisle. “Best advice I’ve gotten all day. Good night, y’all. Thanks for coming!”
I dig in my heels as everyone laughs.
Ransom approaches first and welcomes me to the family with a kiss on the cheek. His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. All of Rand’s brothers have an edge, as if they’re expecting danger at any moment. Then again, that’s the norm in their world.
Rand pulls me in for another kiss as his mother opens her arms for a hug. Charlene is a lovely, kind woman, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law.
“You look beautiful, Sophie.” Her eyes water. “You and Rand will be very happy.”
“We will.” I know it in my heart.
“We promise,” my husband adds, tossing a possessive arm around my waist.
