Page 167 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

Finn froze. “No.”

Miri’s gaze lifted to his and a strange smile grew on her face. “Yes,” she whispered, nodding.

“Not likely.” Finn rolled his shoulders. “I need another drink.”

Holden appeared with a champagne glass for me. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes,” he told Finn. “Go sit down in the library.” He handed me the champagne and leaned down to kiss me like he hadn’t seen me in a year. A flash went off and we turned to see Miri snapping a picture. She winked at us and disappeared the way Finn had gone.

Holden led me by the hand to the library and my hand came to my heart. Candles enclosed in deep glass vases sat around the room on every shelf and window sill, and fairy lights hung above the long table that spanned the length of the room. Dark flowers, a deep burgundy red, with greenery decorated the table runner and guests took their seats.

“You like it?” Holden asked.

I gave him a long look. “I love it,” I whispered. “It’s perfect.”

“Come on. Let’s sit.”

He pulled me to a seat in the middle of the table and he took the one beside me. Servers circled with wine in between courses. Laughter and conversation filled the room, and my heart twisted at the sight.

Holden caught my eye and I smiled.

“Just trying to remember this moment forever.”

His gaze warmed me. “We’re going to have lots of these moments.”

My heart flipped over. “I know.”

Emmett appeared behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. “Sadie,” he whispered. “Are you changing your name, or no? I want to get it right in my speech.”

Holden and I smiled at each other. He was behind whatever decision I made, but when I had explained my reasoning, he was even more supportive.

First, I had wanted to be part of Holden’s family. I wanted to be a Rhodes.

Then, I remembered Katherine. She was a Waters, too, and she had given us this inn. She had cared about us.

I wanted to honor her, and having her last name was keeping a part of her with me.

I smiled at Emmett. “I’m still Sadie Waters.”

After our meal was over, Holden took a deep breath, glanced at me, and stood up with his champagne class. He cleared his throat and everyone quieted down. I shot him a curious glance. We hadn’t talked about him making a speech.

He nodded once at everyone. “Hi.”

I snorted and a couple other people laughed. He glanced at me and his mouth twitched.

“Thanks for coming to our wedding. If you can believe it, I’m the one who wanted to have a big party.”

A few people laughed and he nodded.

“Yeah. I’m not really a party guy but Sadie makes me want to share my life with people I love.”

In a split second, the air in the room changed from humorous to heartfelt.

“Sadie Waters,” he said, gazing at me with warmth and love, “you are the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.”

“What?” I shrieked and the table burst out laughing. “You’re the stubborn one.”

“Oh my god,” someone groaned.

“Holden is way more stubborn than Sadie,” Emmett called.

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