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“You’re just saying that because it’s your job.”
He smiled at my disgruntled expression. “Word of advice? Sit back, relax, and have a glass of champagne. We’ll be there before you know it.”
We arrived at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. Waverly was waiting for me at the entrance, dressed in one of her amazing outfits—a refurbed black 80s lace prom dress with a full skirt and a corset-type bodice glittering with huge, fake rhinestones. Her red hair had been styled in sleek side ponytail and her makeup was elegant and classic, a perfect contrast to her almost garish dress.
Somehow, Waverly made it work.
“Never change,” I told her.
She cocked her head and peered at me with a quizzical expression. “Okay. You look incredible. Like, Grace Kelly level incredible.”
“Watching those old movies paid off, didn’t it?” Grinning, I lifted the hem of my dress and showed off the heavy boots I was wearing.
“Okay, abikerGrace Kelly. The humidity decided to take a break for your wedding,” Waverly said. “It seems like good fortune, doesn’t it?”
“It does, indeed,” I agreed.
My sister and I walked through the gardens with her leading the way. I had no idea where Duke was, and Waverly wasn’t saying.
Finally, we came to a wooden bridge over water. Duke and Savage were standing with a man I didn’t recognize, but he was dressed in a blue button-down and black trousers. His dark hair was swept off his forehead and his smile was genuine when he saw me.
Duke had his back to me, but Savage said something to him. My fiancé turned and his face slackened in shock, but then a deep grin pulled at his lips, making his dimples pop.
He was wearing his leather cut, but he’d attempted formality with a black button-down. No sign of a tie.
Waverly’s hand dropped from mine and I reached out to grasp Duke’s.
“She’s all yours,” Waverly said. “Take care of her, or you’ll answer to me.”
“And me,” Savage said with a devilish wink.
And there, in the late afternoon sun, among the bees and the flowers, I married my best friend.
“Well?” Duke asked, his fingers linked with mine—with my newly adorned ring finger.
“Perfect,” I admitted as I snuggled into his shoulder. The partition in the limo was raised and Duke and I had privacy. Waverly was on the back of Savage’s bike and they were meeting us at the clubhouse, giving Duke and I time as a newly married couple.
“And the ring?” he pressed.
“Also perfect. I hate to say it, but it fits my personality more than the beautiful diamond solitaire.”
My new ring was a thick rose gold band that almost touched my first knuckle and it was engraved withtill death. It was more poignant, more significant especially knowing what was coming in our world.
Duke’s hand rested on my thigh, squeezing it. “It’s done, Willa. Ansel Prescott will take care of the paperwork, we’ll have a quick day in court, and we’ll be able to rest easy that we’re Waverly’s legal guardians.”
Tears gathered in my eyes. “Thank you, Duke.”
“For what?”
I lifted my head and stared at him. “For everything. For this wedding. For this ring. For marrying me. For waiting for me until I was ready.”
His mouth quirked up into a half smile. “You were worth the wait.”
“I was stupid and scared,” I protested. “And now we don’t have to wait.”
“Wait for what?”
My fingers went to the zipper of his trousers.
