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“No, not at all. I’m just ready to make her officially mine. It’s crazy because when we came back from overseas and our contracts were up, I didn’t have any intention of dating. I just planned to concentrate on getting the business off the ground. But one night out, that was all it took.”
“I’m happy for you, you’re a lucky bastard,” he said, a look of longing casting shadows on his face.
“Just wait,” I told him. “Your day will come. In fact, I think there’s a blonde you might be sweet on already,” I remarked in a teasing tone, as I wiggled my eyebrows at him.
“Dude, I’m in no shape to be dating and that one, she is so far out of my league.” His tone was stern, but he also sounded crestfallen.
Gyth was full of shit. Whoever could make him as happy as I was, is who he deserved. “Why would you say that?”
“The girl is beyond beautiful, she comes from money, she has been to college, does a job that is truly awesome helping others, is funny, sweet—should I go on?” He ticked off the list, but not without hiding his emotions. It was easy to see he thought pretty damn highly of Summer.
“Fuck that noise. You served your country, that injury of yours, bro, is because of trying to help save your brothers. You’re an amazing friend, a good son, and may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but generally you’re a cool dude.”
“Thanks, but let’s table this little talk for another day. Say maybe years from now when I can get my shit straightened out. Not that I see that changing anytime soon, but right now is about you.”
Just then the bell at the front door chimed again. Could have been the other guys, since Kace didn’t ride with Gyth over and Landon still hadn’t shown up yet, or maybe it was the people here to set up. Maybe both. It was getting to be that time, and I was ready.
“Saved by the bell, but don’t think I’ve forgotten we need to come back to this.”
“Yeah yeah,” he said, slapping me on the back. “Let’s go get your lovebird ass ready to get married, what do you say?”
“Nothing else I’d rather do,” I replied.
And that was the fucking truth.
Chapter Forty-Four
Braxton
An angel was practically skippingdown the aisle, as flower petals were thrown this way and that. Her radiant smile was so big it no doubt warmed everyone watching. My daughter had that effect on people. She sure had stolen my heart and had me wrapped around her little finger. Although the adoption wasn’t finalized quite yet, it would be soon. But she was still mine, probably from the moment I saw her. Just like when I’d seen her mama for the first time again.
Which, speaking of...
She took my breath away.
The beauty walking toward me, a vision of white silk and lace, was my dream come true. A fantasy that just a few months ago I didn’t even know I wanted. Now she was everything I couldn’t live without.
Her arm curled with her dad’s, she gracefully moved closer to me, her eyes twinkling with love and the first sign of tears that sparkled in the afternoon rays of sunlight.
“When I Look Into Your Eyes” by Firehouse played lightly in the background. It may not be traditional, but we loved the song and it said so much about how we felt for one another. To us it was perfect, and it was our day.
Everyone was seated in the white wooden chairs, with peach ribbon sashes and white roses hanging on them, which created a path straight to the gazebo we were about to be married in. All the guests were turned in their seats, eyes following my girl as she grew near to me.
Something that felt as though it took forever.
Finally, her dad, who looked really choked up, handed his little girl—because she would always be that to him—off to me and I took her small hand in mine, bringing her front and center. I couldn’t help myself, I leaned in, and kissed her lips lightly. I should have known when we let Kace officiate there’d be trouble.
“Stand down, buddy, we are not at the smooching part yet.” Everyone chuckled at his words, while Jurnee rolled her eyes, and I glared at him, but he just laughed it off.
Turning to face each other, hands entwined, my heart beat so hard that you could probably hear it from miles away. Every beat was because this woman standing before me filled every empty place within me. From that child that had been starved for affection but was only neglected instead. For the guy who served his country but didn’t have a lover to share his fears and victories with back home, knowing they would always be waiting for me when I returned. And finally, for the man who never dreamed of something as extraordinary as what he had been gifted within the last few weeks because nobody told him growing up that such a thing was possible or showed him what this type of love looked like between a man and a woman, husband and wife. I love my sister beyond words, but that was a different kind of love.
“Then get moving, or I will keep taking matters in my own hands,” I said back to my friend as the others behind me got a kick at how this was starting off.
So Kace did his thing while tossing in a wry comment here and there that he’d thought would be funny. He would pay later for the one about how he would be glad to step in if I didn’t treat Jurnee right.Like hell he will.
Before I’d known it, it was time for us to say our vows. We’d told each other that instead of writing something down, we would say whatever was on our heart at that moment. Being the groom, I was up first.
“Jurnee, I can't wait for you to be my wife. I never imagined that the tiny, shy girl that used to run around with my little sister would later become my soulmate, but you are in every way. You’re generous, caring, kind, not to mention beautiful inside and out. And don’t forget sweet. Better than any dessert out there and you always will be my favorite.” Giving her a sexy wink, her cheeks pinkened with a blush, and a small chuckle passed my lips before I continued.
