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“Hi.” She gave a short wave and eyed the guys. “Hi, guys.”
“Hey, Mayor.” Kase smirked and side eyed Saint, who was no longer looking amused. “You having fun?”
She grinned. God, she was adorable. And she looked beautiful in her long-sleeved dress. She was probably the most covered of all the women at the party. Marissa knew why, and as of a week ago, she knew the how. She forced her smile in place and drew in a deep breath. The last thing Bailey would want was her pity, and as her friend, she wouldn’t do it. But just knowing the horror Bailey survived made it hard to keep her ease.
“It was a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting me.” Bailey’s gaze flickered to Saint, who was staring at her.
“Hey, Saint, how are you?”
“Good, and you?”
“I’m great.” Bailey’s smiled lingered in Saint’s direction before turning to Marissa. “I have to get going. I just wanted to give you this.”
Marissa took the gift bag and reached inside. She pulled out the frame and gasped. It was a pencil drawing of her and Caden. On the top of the drawing was Turnersville, with the Ghosttown river in the background and a motorcycle. On the curve of the bottom was their wedding date.
“Bailey,” Marissa whispered, overcome with the beauty of the drawing. “It’s beautiful.”
“Ah, it’s nothing special. I just thought you might like it.”
Marissa cradled it to her chest. “I love it.” She grabbed Bailey’s shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you.”
When Bailey stepped away, she glanced at the small group. “Well, goodnight everyone, and thanks again for inviting me.”
Marissa watched as she smiled at Kase and then turned to Saint, and as she passed, she heard a faint voice, “Bye, Saint.”
He watched her walk through the crowd. Marissa would have watched too had she not been so focused on Saint and the darkening of his eyes.
Hmmm… Bailey and Saint?
“Where the fuck have you been?” Kase barked, and Marissa glanced over her shoulder to catch Caden walking toward them.
“Surprise for my wife, asshole.”
Marissa wasn’t sure if she’d ever get used to the way they addressed each other. Luckily, this time it was in jest and teasing.
“All right, meet us in the back room when you’re done,” Kase said and filed through the crowd with Saint following behind.
“You have a surprise for me?” Marissa bounced on her toes.
Caden chuckled and grasped her hand, leading her to the corner table where they had been seated earlier. “Yeah, ya just gotta promise you won’t kill me or leave my ass.”
She tugged on his hand. “Wait, what?”
Caden laughed and shook his head. “My heart was in the right place, remember that?”
“I’m so confused right now.”
Caden grasped her neck and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. “Ya got me, ya got my family, the club, all of us, Riss. You got us.” His thumb swiped her chin. “But long before ya had me, ya had people who love ya, who refused to let you go.” His gaze flickered over her shoulder, and he smiled.
“Married and pregnant and I can’t even get a fucking call back?”
Her mouth dropped open, and her heart burst. A slow, giddy tremble rushed through her chest until she was laughing.
“You brought Janelle here?”
Caden grinned. “Fuck yeah, I did. And Ryan. They’re your people too.”
Marissa slowly turned, and she was struck by a million emotions. Her past and present colliding in the most perfect way. Her eyes teared before she could say a word. She glanced behind Janelle at Ryan. His warm smile greeted her.
