Page 171 of Wild Blades

“No Miranda?” I keep my voice low.

“She didn’t want to come.”

I may not like Miranda, but her acceptance would have been welcomed. Regardless of how toxic our relationship is, all I ever wanted was for her to love me. I know that’s never going to happen.

Part of me is relieved she’s not here. I much prefer Nicki and wish she were my mom. She’s the next best thing. Well, next to Gretchen, of course.

I’m one hell of a lucky guy getting a second chance at a family and love.

I give Bonnie a little wave. “Pretty dress.” I hold my thumb up, giving her my approval, and she curtsies, making everyone laugh.

“She thinks she’s a princess today,” Kali says, chuckling. “If you hadn’t showed up today, she would have been devastated. As would I.”

“I would never have let you leave. I love you, Kali Roth.”

“I love you, Wade Collins.” She can’t stop grinning. “Or is it Edwards now?”

“I think we’ll go with Edwards.” I look over my shoulder to find Marcus smiling at my announcement and Nicki winks. I swear there’s even a little smirk of appreciation pulling at Zane’s lips.

“I was hoping you would say that. We rushed the paperwork through and licensed the marriage in Edwards. Marcus, I mean, your dad, he knows people, powerful people, pulling strings type people.”

“I get the idea. Are you nervous, Ms. Roth?”

“Yeah, very.” She fans herself down with her hand. “I think my dress is too tight, and our baby is trying to kill me.”

Our baby.

I move in and kiss her soft lips. “I love you. Don’t be nervous. Let’s get married.” Every nerve I was feeling before disappears, as if it was never there, desperate to make this official.

“I don’t have any vows prepared.” Shit, now I’m the nervous one. “I would have liked to have written my own.”

“Read your letter you wrote to me, excluding the apology part. I have it with me. Those are your vows.”

She’s something kind of wonderful.

“I wish Gretchen was here to see this.”

“Check your pocket.” Kali looks down at the right-hand pocket of my suit.

I push my hand in. My fingertips feel what she’s referring to and I pull out a miniature version of the photograph of Gretchen and me with our good luck ladybugs sitting on our shoulders andI know she’s here with me. Kali really gets me, knows what I need, and makes sure I get it. She loves me.

“You thought of everything.” I leave it in there, safely tucked away.

“I only ever think about what is best for you. And I will spend the rest of my life doing that, fighting for you, and making you see that going to Tim Horton’s and just buying a coffee and no donuts is just plain wrong.”

Our guests chuckle, and someone, who I think sounds like Spike, shouts, “What is wrong with you, Edwards?”

Edwards. I like the way it sounds.

“Ready?”

“I was born ready, baby.”

“Now it’s time for the vows, you first, Wade.” The wedding celebrant beams a smile and passes me my unfolded apology letter, which Kali has annotated and highlighted.

I throw my head back, laughing, and turn the page to show our guests. “She liked this bit the most.” I point at the words she’s highlighted in lime green. “Very swoony.” I read out her side note, making our guests chuckle.

“It’s a beautiful letter,” Kali says as her mouth curves into a smile.

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