Page 70 of The Final Draft

“I don’t tell you enough, but I love you. I love you not only for who you are as a man, but especially for who you are to my sister. Thank you. I will always be there for you. Better or worse,” I ramble.

“Aren’t those supposed to be my words?” Ashleigh asks as she rescues her future husband.

I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight. She’s glowing in her off-white sweater dress. An absolute vision. “Love you,” I say as I kiss her temple, my eyes watering. It must be dusty in here.

“Can I have her back, please?” Cole pulls Ashleigh to him. “Hug on your own girl.”

“Oh, that’s right, your date.” Ashleigh rubs her hands together and looks around the room, seeking her out. “Where is she? Ditch you already?”

I scowl at Cole, my glare accusing him of spoiling my surprise.

Cole holds up his hands as he laughs. “I didn’t say a word, promise.”

“He didn’t. He only said no one won the bet and I’m getting extra treats on the honeymoon. Honestly, he’s been quite smug.” She pokes him in the ribs, and he flinches, laughing.

Now everyone is making their way to greet me.

“Hombre, did she wise up and leave you already?” Chance asks. He gets a whack upside the head for that. He laughs if off because that’s nothing compared to his usual hits on the ice. The Renegades played last night at home and are off tomorrow. Coordinating with his schedule is why Ashleigh picked this weekend for their wedding.

“Nice shiner. Will look great in the pictures,” I tease. He had quite the fight yesterday. Even though Chance’s face is a little damaged, you should see the other guy.

“He can stand in the back with me to hide my belly,” my sister-in-law Dani says.

“You will never hide in the back, Sunshine,” my brother Alexander says.

I hug her and her seven-month pregnant belly. “You are absolutely stunning.” I take both hands and extend my arms, taking her all in. “And I mean it. You’re stunning on a normal day, but pregnant? Radiant as the sun.”

“I tell her that every day, but she doesn’t believe me,” Alexander scowls. His adoring eyes drink his wife up. She rolls her eyes at him.

She’s turned the grump into a softie, and I’m here for it. “I brought an early birthday present for Tyler. I’ll swing by the house tomorrow and give it to him.” I give Dani a playful wink and am rewarded with a classic Xander scowl. Tyler is their six-year-old son and my favorite addition to our family.

“It better not breathe, make noise, or cause a mess,” Alexander warns.

“Now where’s the fun in that?” I tease. I live to be the fun uncle.

Tripp, superstar pitcher for the Reapers, and Trevor are having an intense discussion with Emma in the corner while Darcy appears to give instructions to the caterers. Matt is standing behind her, giving her a shoulder massage. Yep, everyone’s here.

“So, she’s not an actress?” Ashleigh asks.

“Nope.”

“Or a model?” Dani asks.

“Nope.”

“Or a rock star, TV personality, or celebrity?” Emma asks as she hugs me and joins our circle of curious girls.

“Oh, I know!” Darcy chimes in. “A princess!”

I can’t help but laugh at that one. The Swedish princess problem.

“Nope on all accounts.”

“Tell us one thing,” Ashleigh begs.

What do I want to share? You know her is too easy, even though I doubt they’d guess. “She’s the patron of the otters at the Central Park Zoo.”

“What kind of clue is that?” Dani asks.

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