The Rules of Dating(116)

“Holden?”

“Yeah.” She smiled sadly.

I exhaled. “Has anyone seen my daughter lately?”

“Don’t worry. My mom is looking after her. Oddly, she actually enjoys my mother’s company. At least someone does.”

“Saylor loves everyone,” I said.

“I think my mom loves what a girly girl Saylor is, since she never got that from me.”

I laughed, wrapping my arm around her. “Hey—question. Has anyone ever left their own wedding to fuck in the bushes?”

Billie and I had decided to skip sex for a week before the event to make our wedding night even more intense.

“I said we could wait until the wedding, but I didn’t mean at the wedding,” she said.

I kissed her forehead. “I’d probably never be able to undo all those ties on your dress in time to get us back in there before the reception ended. So I guess I’ll have to wait.” I sighed, inhaling some of the night air. “It’s kind of nice to have this break, just the two of us, huh? I feel like I haven’t stopped to breathe all night.”

She brushed her fingers through my hair. “I know.”

“Listen…I wanted to mention something to you while we have a moment to ourselves.”

She tilted her head. “What?”

“After our dance, Saylor whispered in my ear, asking me if I thought she could call you Mom now that you and I were married.”

“Oh my God.” Billie placed her hand on her chest. “You know that’s something I want. I just never wanted to pressure her. I always figured it would happen when she felt ready, you know?”

“Yeah. Of course. I think she’s holding back because she needs to know that’s what you want.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so glad you told me. To think she’s been afraid to…”

We heard the DJ call out for us, so we returned inside where Billie threw her bouquet. This woman who worked at my firm ended up catching it, nearly falling flat on her ass in the process. Soon after, I was surprised to see Billie head up to the DJ and ask him for the microphone.

She cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight and celebrating the beginning of the rest of our lives with us. I just wanted to acknowledge how much I appreciate you all. This is the most important day of my life…” Her eyes searched for me on the dance floor. “Not only because I married the man of my dreams, but because of the beautiful little girl I get to spend my life with.” She looked down at Saylor standing next to me. “Saylor has accepted me with open arms from the moment we met. We became instant friends, but over time, we have become so much more. There’s only one thing I want more than to be Colby’s wife, and that’s to be Saylor’s mom.” She waved for Saylor to come join her.

I watched as my daughter walked slowly toward Billie.

Walking toward her mom for the first time.

Billie bent to embrace her. “I love you so much, sweetie.”

My daughter broke out into tears. “I love you, too, Mommy.”

My heart was fuller than it had ever been. This was the moment that brought everything we’d been through full circle. Because no matter what happened between Billie and me, agreeing to be someone’s mother was for life. It was the ultimate commitment, more than any wedding ceremony or legal paper. I knew Billie would always be there for Saylor. As much as I’d tried to be Saylor’s entire world, the one thing I could never be was her mother. I was grateful Saylor didn’t have to live her entire life without one.

As I looked over at my two angels hugging in their white dresses, for the first time on my wedding day I finally broke down and cried.





GUESS WHAT’S COMING IN 2023!


Holden’s Book

Dear Readers,

While we were writing The Rules of Dating, we fell so in love with Holden that we immediately had to start writing his book as soon as we finished Colby and Billie’s story! Which means, you don’t have to wait too long for it…

The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister is coming in April, 2023

and is available for pre-order now!





We hope you’ve enjoyed reading The Rules of Dating and are anxiously awaiting Holden’s story in The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister. Until then, here’s a FREE collection of THREE HOLIDAY short stories! Sign-up to grab your copy now!





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