Page 26 of Riding with the Bad Boy

“This is Roc. You know what to do.” His voicemail picked up.

“Hi, it’s me.” I really didn’t want to do this over the phone.

“You’re probably all wrapped up with everyone at the rally and showing off your new bike. Please be careful.” I added. “I just wanted to call and tell you I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shut you down. I should have really listened to what you were trying to tell me, and I didn’t.” I took a deep breath.

“I miss you.” I’d said those words before, but I didn’t mean them as strongly as I did now. “I’ve missed you since before we took this trip. I’ve missed you since I put an end to our deal, because I never wanted it to end. I still don’t want it to end. Everything I was looking for I found with you, and I was just too scared to see it.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m so sorry and if you still want to give us a chance, then so do I.” For the first time all night, I felt better. “I don’t think I can get away until after the wedding tomorrow.” I already saw Belle waving me over. “But if you have some time, I’d love to talk. If you would rather not, I’ll understand. But I hope you give me more of a chance than I gave you.”

BELLE’S WEDDING WASabsolutely beautiful and extremely large. I think the whole town showed up. They had it in this old church that probably sat over a thousand people, and every chair looked full. I didn’t know the family that adopted her was such a big deal in Saddleback, but apparently they were. It was either them or the family she was marrying into. Maybe both. Either way, I had never been to any wedding this size before in my life. I had a sneaky suspicion that my friend Ginger’s wedding was going to be equally as big whenever CJ got around to proposing.

I smiled for all the pictures afterward that were done in a fabulous park with trees and flowers that were so bright andvibrant they didn’t look real. Like seriously, this might be one of the most amazing places on Earth.

Belle looked wonderful. Her dress was a mix of elegance and old-world charm. She wore her hair in a half-up, half-down style that complemented her face, and the love that she felt gave her skin such a glow so beautiful that I felt myself tearing up a few times during the day.

Her family welcomed me as if I had been her birth sister. They kept checking in with me and making sure that I was in all the family pictures. I could easily see why Belle felt so loved and happy, and it made me glad that she found people with hearts as big as theirs.

Everyone made a grand entrance into the reception hall that looked as if it held even more people than the church. Was any business open today?

I walked in with the same guy who had escorted me down the aisle. He was a nice enough looking dude with dark hair and an easy smile. He tried his hand at flirting, but I quickly shut it down. I wasn’t in the mood for a hook-up, and there was no way this could be more.

I hadn’t heard back from Rocco. I debated calling him back, but I was going to try to leave early tonight and make my way to the rally. I found out where it was being held from the concierge and I already had a rental car. I had it booked to take me back home if needed, but I really was hoping I wouldn’t need it. I’d rather ride back with him. Maybe stop and explore this time instead of rushing through each of the towns we passed getting here.

The best man gave a toast that had everyone laughing, and the maid of honor’s toast was touching and sentimental. I watched as Belle danced with her father and once again had to wipe at my eyes to make sure nothing was coming out.

People clinked their silverware against glasses repeatedly to get the happy couple to kiss, and the food was delicious. Soft music played during dinner, but I could see instruments on a small stage at the end of the dance floor that made me guess there would be a band before the end of the night. I looked down at my watch, wondering how much longer. I figured that might be my chance to take off.

More clinking, and I watched as Belle and her new husband kissed once again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone stand and hold up their glass in a toast. I turned my head, and my breath caught in my chest as Rocco stood there looking sinfully handsome in a three-piece suit.

“Forgive me.” His deep voice cut through the people whispering. “I don’t know the couple well, but I wanted to wish them a lifetime of happiness.” I let out the breath I was holding.

“It’s not easy finding the person who fills your heart.” His eyes drifted to mine. “Sometimes you think you’ve found that special someone, but when life gets hard, you look around and they’re gone, and it can take a long time for you to get over that pain.” Tears fell easily and for the first time in my life I felt both seen and understood.

“I don’t worry about that with these two. With them, you can see the love they share will be there through the good and the bad, and that they will always stand strong beside each other.” His toast might have been for everyone else, but his words were for me.

“Congratulations and trust in what you feel for each other. Now and in the future.” He lifted his glass higher, and everyone did the same.

The band took over almost right after he sat back down. People got up and made their way to the dance floor. I stood to go find him, and he was right beside me.

“Hi.” I looked into his eyes.

“Hi.” He reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips.

“How did you find us?”

“Are you kidding?” He laughed. “Every in town has been talking about this wedding since we got here. I just followed a handful of the people at the rally.” He kissed my hand again. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you.” I was sure he had to be lying. There was no way my eyeliner wasn’t smeared all over my face. “What are you doing here?”

“Today was important to the woman I love. Where else would I be?”

My breath stilled. “What did you say?”

He let my hand go and wrapped himself around me. “I love you, Danielle.” His eyes never left mine. “I’ve loved you from the first time I saw you walking through the city council building while I was visiting my brother.”

“What?” I didn’t remember that. “When was this?”

“Too long ago to think about. I’ve definitely loved you since that night at the bar,” he said. “I was so scared that I’d fuck this up, but I’d rather take a chance with you than be with anyone else.”

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