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“How is your husband doing?” Kianna asked Angelique.
“Hubert is a new man. The doctor gave him a clean bill of health, so it looks like we’re in the clear, which is a huge relief.”
A knock came at the door and Brittney poked her head inside. “I think they’re ready for you. It’s only forty-five minutes until sunset.”
“Angelique, we’d better get the flowers,” Allison’s mom said. “We’ll meet you on the boat, sweetheart.” She cupped Allison’s face. “I love you. Always.”
Moments like that reminded Allison how precious her family’s love was. It wasn’t a burden as she’d sometimes felt. “I love you, too, Mom.”
Angelique and her mom left, while Kianna made one final adjustment to the tropical flowers in Allison’s hair.
“Thank you for being here for this,” Allison said. “I know it’s a pain to fly across the country to spend time in Falling Brook, then all the way down here.”
She shook her head. “Do not thank me. I’m over the moon to be here. I couldn’t feel more honored. Plus, I’d better get used to flying great distances to see you.”
“You’re sure you’re okay with us running a bicoastal operation?”
“I don’t want to do it forever, if that’s what you’re asking, but I’m cool with it for the next several years. You got a one-month extension on the Black Crescent retainer, and we’ll see how that plays out. Sounds like your future hubby wants us to do some recruiting for his company, and I figure it’s just another selling point for potential clients that we can say we have offices in New Jersey and LA.”
“Yes. I think so, too. We can cover the entire country. No problem.”
“I will say, however, that if you decide to find a wealthy CEO in Falling Brook to set me up with, I could be very happy becoming an East Coast company, too.”
“Really? You liked Falling Brook?”
Kianna shrugged. “I did. I can also admit to being a bit jealous. You have it all, girl. A beautiful place to live and the best man ever. Zane is a dream come true. If I can find a guy half that good, I’ll be happy.”
“You’ll find him.” She thought about it for a minute. “Although if it might get you to move to New Jersey, I might have to start looking for him myself. In earnest.”
“Executive recruiter and matchmaker. I like it.” Kianna unleashed her megawatt smile, her cheeks plumping up. “That could end up being your ultimate calling.”
“I’m on it. As soon as I get married.”
They walked down the crushed-shell path toward the dock, where the rest of the guests would be waiting on the boat. Zane and Scott had gone out to Mako Island an hour earlier so they could spend some time talking and Allison could still make her traditional bride’s entrance. Scott and Zane’s friendship had not only withstood the test of the romance between Allison and Zane, it had come out on the other side much stronger. Both Zane and Scott had admitted as much to Allison—not voluntarily; she’d had to drag it out of each of them separately. She was glad they had each other. She was relieved that hadn’t gone away.
When Allison and Kianna approached the boat, the gathered family all stood and clapped. Allison felt a rush of pleasant warmth to her face. She didn’t relish being the center of attention, but on this day, she lapped it up. They were soon on their way, the warm sea breezes brushing against her skin while the sky turned the most brilliant shades of pink and orange as the sun began to make its descent. Her heart picked up in anticipation when she caught sight of tiny Mako Island and could see those two tall figures standing on the beach—Scott and Zane. Her two favorite guys.
Marcus carefully motored the boat into the shallowest navigable water, then set anchor, instructed Allison’s dad to roll up his pant legs and helped to guide everyone through the knee-high depths to shore. They all gathered under the shade of the largest palm with Scott standing at the center. He’d been ordained via the internet for the occasion, and was quite proud of his job as officiant, although Zane and Allison had designed the ceremony to be ultrashort and sweet. Zane was to his left, and even from this far away, with Allison still standing on the boat in the bobbing water, she could see how happy and relaxed he was. She hoped he could spend as many days of his life as possible looking and feeling that way. He deserved it. They both did.
Finally, it was Allison’s turn to be helped off the boat. Her dad was standing only a few feet away, ready to walk her down the aisle, or, more specifically, across the sandy bottom. She kissed his cheek, then hooked her arm in his and snugged him closer.
“I love you, Alli,” he said as they began their father-daughter ocean stroll.
“I love you, too, Dad. So much.”
Ahead, all Allison could see was Zane, the man of her dreams. His heartbreaking smile seemed like a permanent fixture on his handsome face, which was exactly the way she liked him. Off in the distance, the sun was slowly sinking toward the horizon, coloring the sky with more deep and mesmerizing shades of summery pink, warm beachy orange and beautiful blue. At Allison’s feet, tiny tropical fish darted through the water, and all felt right with the world. Everyone she loved was here. And she was ready to start her new life.
When she reached Zane, she gave her dad one more kiss before letting him join her mom. Then it was time to take the hand of the man who was her whole future.
“Hey there, beautiful,” he whispered into her ear.
“You’re not half-bad yourself.” Dressed in a white shirt and pants, with the legs rolled up to midcalf, he was an absolute vision. She’d purposely asked him not to shave—she loved his late-day scruff. It was so sexy.
“Family and friends,” Scott began. “We’re gathered here today to witness the joining of Scott and Allison in matrimony. They will now share their vows.”
Zane went first as they joined both hands and faced each other. She peered up at him, allowing herself to get lost in his eyes as he spoke. “Allison, you are my everything. You are my reason for getting up in the morning and the thing I am most thankful for when I lay my head down at night. I promise to always hold you in my heart, to support you in all your endeavors, and most of all, I promise to always love you.”
“Allison, do you take this man to be your husband?” Scott asked.
