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I loosen my grip on the sheet still wrapped around me, and it falls away from my body to the floor.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I say seductively.
His eyes rake up my body to meet his. “Best gift ever.”
EPILOGUE
Roman
It took Ben some time to fully come around to my and Juliette’s relationship, but he did. Still, from time to time, he will make some comments under his breath as a joke, but it’s easy to laugh it off. After all, after tonight, he’s going to be family.
“You ready?” Ben asks, sitting in my office where he and I are getting ready for the ceremony.
“I’ve been ready for this moment since the day I met her,” I say as I fiddle with my tie in the mirror for the umpteenth time in less than an hour.
A small smile creeps across Ben’s face. It’s not meant for me, and I only see it in the reflection of the mirror with my back turned to him. He doesn’t know it, but I’m already clued into why he’s suddenly more accepting of our relationship— he and Maddie have been dancing around each other for the past few weeks. As best man and maid of honor, they’ve been forced to spend more time together, so naturally, the initial sparks of a romance have started to bloom.
“Maybe I should go check on Juliette,” he offers, pushing to his feet.
More like check on Maddie, but I don’t say anything. I can be the bigger man here and make it easier for him to date my family than he did for me.
“Sounds good.” I nod, meeting his gaze in the reflection of the mirror.
But before he can take a step, there is a soft knock at the door. I turn as Ben opens it to find Maddie standing there in her rose-gold dress, looking absolutely beautiful. Words are lost on my future brother-in-law as he stands there looking like a deer in headlights.
“Juliette wants to talk to you before the ceremony,” she says.
A moment of doubt strikes me like a punch to the heart. Does she want to back out? The question is asked in my mind before I can assure myself that I get to marry the love of my life today.
“Okay,” I say, grabbing my jacket off the chair and slipping it on. “Maddie, do you think you can get this guy a glass of water? He’s looking a little parched.”
Maddie gaze swings over to Ben, and it’s clear in one look that she is feeling all the same feelings he is. Love seems to strike our two families on Valentine’s Day as history repeats itself with these two.
I step out of the office and take the steps up to our apartment above the bar. Juliette’s using it to get ready.
Knocking on the door, I crack it open a bit in the hopes of sneaking a small peek at my bride in her dress. But the door hits something, and I realize that she is already standing there waiting for me.
“You can’t see me until the ceremony,” Juliette chides me, but I can hear the smile in her voice.
“You called for me?” I ask, catching a glimpse of her dress in the reflection of the full-length mirror set up in the living room.
“I have a surprise for you,” she says, holding up a package for me in the crack. “It came this morning, and I couldn’t wait for you to see it.”
I take the padded envelope and pull out a book. There is a picture of Ben and Juliette’s bar on the cover, but it was taken back when the place first opened. The title on the cover reads,My City. Our History.
“Babe,” I breathe out. “This is amazing. I didn’t realize they’d have copies for you so soon.”
“I told them I needed one to give to you today.”
I reach my hand through the crack of the door, and she slips her hand into mine.
“I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it.”
There is a small hitch in her voice when she says, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Traditions be damned. I want nothing more at this moment than to have Juliette in my arms.
“Can I come in?” I ask.
The door opens enough for me to come in. I don’t need to look to know Juliette is the most beautiful bride in the world and I’m the luckiest man. Instead, I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I can get a better look at her later, but right now, holding her is enough.
“Who knew one year ago that we’d be getting married on Valentine’s Day?” I whisper to her.
“It’s already been one hell of a journey with you,” she whispers back. “And I can’t wait to see what’s next for us.”
I don’t want to mess up her makeup, so I kiss her jaw just below her ear. “A lifetime of happily ever after.”
