Consolation Prize (Forbidden Men #9)(134)

I blinked at him, confused, before glancing at my watch. “I’m not even late. Why is everyone else so freaking early?”

“Because we’re antsy and nervous. My baby girl doesn’t get married every day, you know.” He scowled even harder as he examined me from head to toe. “Why the hell are you so calm and collected? You’re about to commit yourself completely to someone else for the rest of your life. Are you sure you realize what all you’re signing up for?”

“Of course I do,” I said, frowning at him. “But I committed myself to her completely a long time ago. Today is just a show for everyone else.”

Juli and I had survived some big shit together, and we’d come out the other end stronger as a couple. I would never tell her this—since she’d spent the last year planning today—but this wedding just wasn’t as big a deal to me as continuing the rest of my life with her was.

Mr. Radcliffe gazed at me a moment before shaking his head and slapping me companionably on the back. “Good answer, son. Good answer.”

And so time progressed. Guests arrived, family and friends filing into the church. My two groomsmen, Ten and Noel, joined me and Brandt, and we were forced to pose for a crap load of pictures in between my big brothers teasing me about becoming an old married man.

When it was time to line up at the front of the church, I finally started to feel my first stirring of nerves. My entire extended family sat on the groom’s side: Pick Ryan, his wife, Eva, and their four children, Brandt’s brother-in-law, Mason, his Reese, and their twins, Knox and Felicity and their two, Asher and Remy and their little tomboy, Quinn (or as Juli still called him: Dr. Melt Me), his wife, Zoey, and their two boys. Then Caroline and Aspen who stood at the back, waiting to help their kiddos Teagan and Beau walk up the aisle as flower girl and ring bearer, while Lucy O loudly begged to go with them.

I grinned and winked at Julianna’s grandma Cicely, who’d insisted we add broom-jumping to the ceremony. She winked back, and I knew if she’d been close enough, she would’ve pinched my ass like she did every time I got too close to her.

Sarah was the first bridesmaid to wheel down the aisle. I glanced at Brandt and had to roll my eyes at the lovesick grin on his face. Pathetic. No way did I look that dorky when I saw Juli. No way.

Then Tyla and Sasha made their trip, followed by Beau and Teagan, who had a little too much fun throwing her petals straight up above her and Beau’s heads so they kept raining down on the two of them and causing him to scowl and snap at her to stop.

Then everyone pushed to their feet in respect, the music changed, and the two ushers opened the back doors.

Julianna stood in the entrance, holding on to her father’s arm in a glittering white dress that made her look like a Disney princess. Her gaze shifted to mine, and that’s when it all hit me full force in the chest.

Suddenly, I understood.

This was big. This was forever. This was…it was the most powerful moment of my life.

I was marrying my best friend.

I was honored. I was blessed. I was happy.



THE END