Page 103 of Unpredictable
I shook my head. “Wow. You sneaky—”
“Handsome.” He captured my hand, pulling it to his chest. My engagement ring sparkled, reminding me of just how fortunate I was.
“Devil.”
“Fiancé,” he said at the same time, and I stuck my tongue out at him.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Alexis, Lauren, and Harper swarmed me. They gushed over the ring and pulled me into a group hug.
“So, so happy for you,” Alexis said.
“Did you have any idea?” Lauren asked.
I shook my head. And as our friends and family hugged us and issued their congratulations, I smiled. For the first time in years, I wasn’t dreading the memories that the new year would bring. I was looking forward to the future.
Chapter Thirty
Three Months Later
“You nervous?” Reg asked, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Nah.” I straightened my tie, peering at my reflection. My suit had been custom made for the occasion. Landon and Olivia had helped since I’d wanted it to be a surprise for my bride. For our wedding.
“Good.” He squeezed it then released me. “Because I know you’re making the right decision.”
“Me too,” I said, smiling as I thought of Juliana. I couldn’t wait to see her. Couldn’t wait for her to be mine—officially.
I’d never really considered marriage as something important to me, until her. After what had happened with Cam, it was easy to focus on the ugly parts—the fighting, the betrayal, the divorce. It wasn’t until Juliana, until I wanted to show her and the world that she was my everything. And while we didn’t need a piece of paper to prove we belonged together, it gave me peace of mind—knowing that if anything were ever to happen to me, she’d be taken care of. Not that she needed my help—far from it. Juliana was a successful businesswoman, financially well-off. But I wanted to give her everything because she was my everything. Without her, the house, the cars, none of it mattered.
There was a knock at the door, and Landon peeked his head inside my pool house. “It’s time.”
“That’s my cue,” Reg said, hooking his thumb over his shoulder.
Landon took his place, giving me a once-over. He tugged on my jacket, brushing imaginary lint from my shoulder. “You look…” He stepped back to admire his work. “Hot.”
“Thanks.” I chuckled. “How’s Juliana?”
“Radiant. A knockout. The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” He gave me a watery smile.
“Hey—” I narrowed my eyes at him, wanting to lighten the mood. “That’s my fiancée you’re talking about.”
“Oh please.” He sniffed, slicing a hand through the air. “We both know I’m more likely to hook up with a groomsman than the bride.”
“True.” I laughed, even though Juliana and I had opted not to have a bridal party or groomsmen. Surprisingly, it had been her idea. She wanted something laid-back, relaxed. She wanted our friends and family to enjoy, and I was completely on board with that.
“Thank you again for all your help with the wedding. I know it was a lot to pull off,” I said.
Now that I’d survived wedding season with Juliana, as well as Olivia’s wedding, I could appreciate just how much effort went into planning one. No detail was too trivial, and Juliana and Landon excelled at their jobs. I could understand why it would be difficult for her to let go and relax, but I knew she was trying.
Following Olivia’s wedding, Juliana had been spending less time working and more time relaxing. We had weekly family dinners with Connor and Olivia, and we’d settled into a nice routine. Not to say that our life was boring—far from it. I knew life could never be boring with a woman like Juliana. And it was part of the reason I loved her so much. She was like me—always striving to learn more, to be better. Individually, she was a force to be reckoned with. Together, we were unstoppable.
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Anything for Juliana. Now, come on,” he said, leading me outside. As if I didn’t know my way around my own backyard.
That said, the space had been completely transformed. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a pinkish hue over the surroundings. The pool was more like a reflecting pond, with white orbs floating on the water. And a harpist’s music made it feel ethereal, like a dream. White chairs lined the aisle, leading to an arch of flowers. All white, all fragrant, they perfumed the air with a bouquet of scents.
I smiled at the guests as I took my spot at the front next to the officiant. Olivia and Connor sat in the first row, holding hands. Next to them were my parents. Jas and Reg were in attendance, along with Talia and her husband, and a few of my former teammates. There were maybe twenty people total, and I could feel the love and support, the joy radiating from them. We’d wanted something small and intimate, and it was even better than I’d imagined.
Juliana’s parents sat opposite, as did her friends—Alexis and Preston, Lauren and Hunter, and Harper, who seemed to be perpetually single. An occupational hazard of being a film location scout, I supposed. I was distracted from my thoughts when the harpist shifted songs, and the back door to the house opened.
