Well Suited (Red Lipstick Coalition #4)(88)

And Katherine’s mother, waving with one hand and holding Hope on her hip with the other. My baby smiled at me, her little lips shaping the word daddy as she waved like her Nana had shown her, her tiny hand swiveling at the wrist and elbow. Her dress was white as snow, just like her mama’s, and she’d toddled down the aisle with a basket of rose petals she forgot beyond a cursory handful and a solid tumping of the basket at the foot of the vined arch where I made Katherine my wife.

Forever and ever, amen.

The smoky tang in the air. The feel of her hand in mine. The sight of her, dress gathered in her other hand, the tips of her shoes darting out as we ran for the Mercedes waiting at the end of the path. In she went, and I paused, looking back at every face, at the path we’d been on, all things leading us right here, to this moment.

It was an end. And a beginning.

I waved goodbye, and their hands rose together to wave back.

Into the car I went. Into her arms I went.

I gathered her up, collected her delicately, and kissed the lips I loved so well.

“Mrs. Bane,” I said when I released her lips.

“Mr. Bane,” she said with a smile. “Was the wedding to your liking?”

My brow rose. “Was it to yours?”

With an exhale, she melted. “Oh, it was. I’m glad you insisted. A courthouse wouldn’t have been nearly this lovely.”

“No. And I would have missed you in this dress. I love you in this dress.” I pulled her into my lap. “I’d love you out of this dress.”

Her laughter filled the air, her arms winding around my neck. “You’d love me anyway.”

“You sound so sure of yourself.”

“Because I am. You love me in equal measure to my love for you. It’s why we’re so well suited.”

“And here I thought it was because I was so clever to have tricked you into marrying me.”

Another laugh, a tilt of her head. “Well, you are very clever. But I didn’t need tricking, only patience while I figured out that I’d loved you all along.”

“Maybe that was the trick.”

“Then you, husband, are a magician.”

“And you, wife, are mine.”

Her arms tightened, her lips angling for mine, but our gazes were locked. “I was always yours, and I always will be.”

The kiss was heavy with the promise, the depth of the truth, the weight of our love.

And forever was sealed with that kiss.

And it was fireworks.





Thank you





There are always so many people to thank, and I feel like there are never enough words.

As always, my husband Jeff comes first. This time, there’s a special thanks for giving me three smart, funny, beautiful girls, and three pregnancies to combine in order to write this book. And thanks for not making me have a fourth.

Thank you to my daughters, for making me a mom and testing my patience and will and the bounds of my heart daily.

Kandi Steiner—You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Thank you for the constant petting and loving and support. For the laughs and the warmth and the tears and the love. Can’t do this without you, babe.

Jana and Kayti—To the group text to rule them all, to the Enyalightened bitches, to getting shit done on the daily. Cheers to you both!

Jacqueline Mellow—Your daily love gives me so much life. Thank you for always lifting me up, for always lending an ear, for always inspiring me. And thanks for saying “I Do” and becoming my forever work wife. #putaringonit Sasha Erramouspe—You deserve a private island. I’ll get you one next to mine when I retire. Thank you for reading this book 8392 times, for the marathon phone calls, for always making time for me, even when your life is crazy. I cannot ever thank you enough for all you do!

Abbey Byers—If it wasn’t for you, I never would have had the thought to knock up our poor, robotic Katherine. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t enjoy this process so much. If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably shrivel up and die, so thank you for keeping me fed and watered and near the sunshine.

Kerrigan Byrne—WE DID THE DAMN THING OH MY GOD! Now, let’s do it again.

Karla Sorensen—Just thank you. Every day, thank you. Thank you for holding my emotional bucket and petting my hair while I empty the contents of my heart into it. For your beta feedback, which I cannot survive without. I love you!

BB Easton—You are my favorite. Every day, talking with you just refills me, recharges me, makes me feel less alone. And you’re a great bedmate. I’d share sheets with you any day of the week, Beastie!

Kyla Linde—Every. Damn. Day. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you!

Sierra Simone—Thank you for the best half hour of voice messages I’ve ever received. Your experience as a librarian was invaluable to me, and I am so grateful that you shared it! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to advise me.

Tina Lynne—As always, you are my rock, my right hand, my favorite. Thank you for everything you do!!

Carrie Ann Ryan—Your advice in the cover redesigns was beyond instrumental. In fact, YOU are instrumental to my life, my success, my confidence. Thank you!

Sarah Green—You are one of the kindest, smartest, most supportive women I know. Thank you for always being here for me, and thank you for your thoughts, your time, your heart and energy!