Page 116 of The Reluctant Siren
“It is,” her mom said and kissed her on her cheek. “We’vebeen to a lot of weddings lately, but this is the best. I’m going to make sureeverything is ready, and your dad isn’t talking to the pastor again.”
“About the three sniper positions he located? I clockedthose babies the minute I walked in.” What could she say? She was her father’sdaughter. But both of them, which is why she was able to find a church shecould get married in with windows and everything. If Dad had his way, theywould be doing this in a bunker with security on every door. “Seriously. It wasthe best of my options, Mom. The one I first wanted had twenty, and I didn’tthink Dad could handle it.”
“You are so sweet to think of him, baby. I can’t tell youhow much I appreciate you being accommodating,” her mom said as she brushedaway tears. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. You relax and get ready.We’re almost there.”
Her mom left and Ruby walked in looking gorgeous in herbridesmaid dress, and a bit irritated.
Ruby pointed a finger her way. “You are a menace.”
She was. And she was perfectly comfy being that. “Yes, butwhy? It could be many reasons.”
Ruby stared at her. “You invited Lucy Flanders. You barelyknow Lucy Flanders.”
Oh, then the fun had started. There were certain feudswithin the spy kids’ group, and it was always super fun to watch them blow up.“I totally know that whole family. I spent several summers in Bliss with AuntGeorgia. Gigi did, too.”
Gigi gave her a thumbs-up. “Gotta love Bliss.”
“Then you also know that Kala Taggart loses her damn mindwhen the woman walks in the room,” Ruby accused.
Gigi giggled. “It was funny. There was a lot of talk offinding holy water and how Lucifer isn’t allowed in a church. It’s the perfectamount of drama because her mom won’t actually let her try an exorcism. I don’tthink she would know how to do that, but I could be wrong. Big Tag likes hiskids prepared for anything.”
An exorcism at her wedding would be something to talk aboutforever. She had to laugh. “I invited her because I knew she would be in townand we’re friendly. The drama is merely a nice side effect.”
The last year of her life had been nicely drama free. Oh,not outside of her relationship. Her family and friends were stock full ofspectacularly juicy drama. The spy kids delivered on that. And her friends andfamily didn’t disappoint either, but her own life had become a well of peace.
Jensen had transformed into a man she could count on. He’dput in all the effort since that day when he left her. He was an excellentpartner. He worked with her and Ruby part time. Sometimes he simply answeredthe phones and made sure their books were properly kept. Sometimes he wentundercover with her. He was good in the field, and she liked having him watchher back. He was pretty uncomfortable flirting for information though. Heusually ended up explaining that he had a girlfriend. Jensen helped at the gym,too. He’d recently enrolled in community college and was planning to studybusiness. He went to therapy twice a week without fail.
That first lunch had become a series of them. A month oflunches and Saturdays playing together led to dinners and dates, and after sixmonths they’d all moved into her condo together. They were happy there for now,but someday they would look for a house.
Their relationship was as adrenaline free as it could be,and it worked. They’d taken the incendiary fire that burned between them andnow it was a well-tended hearth that would keep them warm for the rest of theirlives.
Through it all Niall had been their quiet strength.
She had no idea what she would do without those men.
Ruby laughed and moved to pour herself a glass of champagne.“Then I will cease playing peacekeeper. Besides, Kala won’t disrupt theceremony. Any shit she pulls will be at the reception, and we’re all hoping forsome crazy shit. That open bar is going to lead to some poor choices, bestie.”
“Yeah, but sometimes poor choices lead to something great.”Harlow wouldn’t take back any of her poor choices. They led her to the exactright place.
“I hope so,” Ruby said quietly and took a drink.
“I’m happy with all my bad choices,” Gigi countered with agrin. And then winced. “Oh, but you should know that Daisy Carter might haveaccidently knocked over one of the pillar candles when she tripped on… I mean Ithink it was air, but it might have been thick air.”
Harlow felt her jaw drop. “What?”
Gigi put up her hands, waving off the danger. “It was a verysmall fire. Her husband apparently cased the place and knew where the fireextinguisher was. He was good at that. Like he’s had to do that before.”
Harlow could only imagine the heroics Nate Carter performedto save his wife from herself.
Damn, but she was happy for them. She was happy foreveryone.
There was a knock on the door and then her dads were there.They looked absolutely dapper in their matching tuxedoes, but she could stilltell them apart.
Even when they both got teary.
“Papa,” she said, moving to him and giving him a hug. “Youlook amazing.”
“Not as amazing as you, sweetheart,” he whispered.
