Page 170 of Wild Blades

“Walk. Happy wedding day, Wade.” Max’s voice appears from behind me, his big hand between my shoulder blades pushing me forward, prompting me to move.

My feet take on a life of their own. All I see is her, in that wind tunnel that happens every time she’s around. It’s just me and her in this moment.

Then I’m there, toe to toe with her.

“I’m sorry, Wade.” She chews on her bottom lip before saying, “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I never meant to hurt you, either. I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry for all the things I said.” I can’t believe I waited this long to tell her. I cradle her face in my hands and kiss her lips for the first time in what feels like forever. “I was cruel, and mean, and I promise I will spend every day making it up to you. I've been a fool.”

“I got your letter this morning.”

“But Lola said…” I drift off. She’s been in on this entire thing.

Her eyes, full of emotion, look watery. “I would forgive you, but I have nothing to forgive you for. And I said it before, but I would do anything to protect you and your big, beautiful heart, Wade.”

“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t see that.”

“I only do what’s best for you.”

“Then don’t go to New York,” I beg. “Please don’t go.”

“I was never going to New York.”

“You’re not?” My pitch is a little higher, sounding cheerful and relieved all at once.

“It was fake. We made that video at the office to get you here.”

She’s a sneaky minx.

“And the baby?”

“That’s one hundred percent true.” Her eyes light up.

“We’re having a baby?” I say with a smile. I want that more than anything and not scared at all. I’m excited. “Was it LA?”

“Yes, and yes.”

“Are you okay?” I reach down and lay my hand over her stomach, fascinated with the life that’s growing inside of her. Part me, part her.

“No, we only have a ten-minute window until I’m sick again.”

“You look beautiful.”

“This is my something new.” She points to her dress. “Something old is my shoes. Your favorite ones.” She winks. “And you’re my something borrowed and blue.” Pointing to my eyes, she makes my heart thump faster in my chest.

I love this woman.

“All this is a little unconventional, don’t you think?” Nibbling her bottom lip, she looks around.

“Is anything about us conventional?”

“Nope.” She giggles. It’s the melody I missed. I will do whatever it takes to hear her laugh like that every day until the day I die.

“Did you organize this?” I take her hands in mine, and it feels so good to be touching her again.

“I had a little help. Ash’s wife, Lily, worked around the clock to make this happen. Well, her team did. Nicki and Marcus insisted we have it here. We’ve all helped to pull this off. Marcus was determined to help you to not lose the woman you love.” She looks around the room filled with guests, who are all smiling and waving at us. My team and their partners, friends, Kali’s family, including her mom and dad, who must have flown in for our special occasion. My support team, Leon, Ash, and his wife, Lily, who has one of the top events planning businesses in all of Canada, with Thomas and Joe next to her.

My eyes land on Marcus, Zane, and Nicki, all sitting at the front on my side of the room; my family.

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