Page 98 of Protecting his Heart

The past year had been tumultuous to say the least and certainly wasn’t for the faint of heart. But they’d made it through, and he couldn’t wait to become Evan Morris. Despite his surname linking him to his late sister, he had no qualms about leaving it behind. He had other things that linked him to her.

A knock sounded, and Matteo opened the door a crack, frowned as he listened, then glanced at Evan. “Um, someone would like a quick word?”

“Who?” Matteo opened the door a little further and saw his mother. He shook his head, turning away. “Whatever you want to say, I don’t want to hear. Not today.”

“Please. As much as it should be, this isn’t about me. It’s about Jessica.”

Evan glared at her, still not having forgiven her part in keeping him from his sibling. “What about her?”

“Before she…” Bernadette swallowed. “Before she passed, Jessica wrote you a letter, but she made me promise to deliver it in person on your wedding day. I couldn’t say no. She was my little girl.” Her voice broke.

Evan breathed. As much as they hadn’t wanted him when he came out as gay, they had worshipped the ground Jessica had walked upon, and he could give her that leniency. He stepped closer and held out his hand. She put the letter in his palm.

“You’ve done your duty. Now you can leave.”

“Can I…” She stared at him, licking her lips. “Can I stay to watch?”

Evan laughed, a sharp bark of noise. “No. Not even if Jessica was here begging me. I do not want you here. You are notmymother.” He turned away, hoping Matteo would see her out. He stared out of the window, watching the clouds billowing across the blue sky.

“She’s gone,” Matteo said.

“Was I too harsh?” he asked when he turned to face him, fingering the envelope.

“Not at all.”

Evan stared at the envelope and then at his watch. “I’ll have to read it afterwards.”

Matteo rested his hand on Evan’s arm. “I think they won’t mind waiting a few minutes.” He tilted his head. “Do you want me to get Owen?”

Evan bit his lip, flipped the envelope over and paused. Bringing it closer to his eyes, he chuckled. “No. It’s okay. I’ll read it after.” He held it up for Matteo to see.

Yes, it can wait until after the wedding, buffoon. X

They laughed, and Evan put it in his jacket pocket. As much as he would’ve liked to read Jessica’s words before his wedding, if she said it could wait, then it could wait. And he would be able to read it with Owen, too.

He took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”

They exited the room and headed down the corridor of the hotel, but not before Matteo messed with Evan’s “look” some more. After careful discussion, he and Owen had chosen to have their small wedding at a hotel in Brighton. It was near the beachfront, and they had a small room with double doors that opened to the view. Despite it being a little chillier than they would’ve liked, the doors would be opened and an arch of flowers standing in front of it where he and Owen would be married.

With only a dozen guests, the small room was more than adequate, and they were pleased with the result when they’d been to see it the previous day. After agreeing that Owen would wait for Evan at the front and Evan would walk down the—very small—aisle, they had separated this morning, going to different rooms to get ready. He hadn’t seen his fiancé since then.

He and Matteo stopped by the entrance door, and Matteo turned to him. “Are you ready?”

“Never been more ready in my life.”

Matteo hugged him and slipped into the room while Evan waited for his cue to enter. A second later, Sally exited, and Evan frowned.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

Sally smiled. “Yes, don’t worry.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I wondered if you would like me to walk you down the aisle.” She seemed so nervous, but Evan couldn’t be more excited.

He dragged her in for a hug, earning a squeak from her. “I would love you to.” He kissed her cheek.

“Come on then. Let’s get you married.”

She opened the door and gestured for him to join her at the threshold. Instead of having her arm through his, she swapped them so he was holding her arm and escorted him down the aisle. The moment his eyes met Owen’s gaze, he was lost. The man was so handsome in his dark grey suit with light grey shirt, offering the opposite of what Evan wore—a light grey suit with a dark grey shirt. So similar yet so different, just like they themselves were.

When they stopped at the front, Evan kissed Sally’s cheek again and joined hands with Owen, stepping in front of him, their sides to their guests. He couldn’t have told anyone who was there because he only had eyes for his soon-to-be husband. And he wasn’t even slightly nervous about his vows.

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