Page 59 of That Thing You Brew
And there went my heart rate again. A thousand beats a minute, for sure.
“You better.” I picked up his hat and stretched to set it back on his head.
He pressed his lips to mine one more time. I handed him his coffee and fudge and backed into the door so he could leave, then rushed to safety behind the counter and waved goodbye.
Gabby leaned in to me and spoke quietly into my ear. “Your hair’s a mess, and your lips are swollen.”
My hand flew to my face, and I dashed back into the kitchen, her laughter ringing in my ears. I hoped no one else noticed that I’d been kissed so … thoroughly.
CHAPTER21
Xavier
Iwas getting married.
Today.
To my lucky Penny, who’d hardly spoken to me, in the three-plus years I’d known her, until two months ago.
How was that possible?
Because she’s the most remarkable person you’ve ever met.
That was true, one hundred percent.
And my family was here. Penny had won them over, and they werehere.My father went from “dragging that sweet shy girl into a life she never asked for” to “welcome to the family.”
There was one person missing, though, and his absence was a glaring hole. I had no doubt Opa was looking down on us from Heaven, quietly smirking. He’d been speaking to me in my head since I woke up.
See, Zavey-boy? It all vorked out. You commit to your voman and you vill have someone other than yourself to play for. Next level of success. You are not like your father. You vill balance hockey and family because you love both.
I did. I loved hockey, and I loved Penny. With everything I had. I’d make it all work.
And I’d start by being her Renaissance fantasy guy. The fire in her eyes wasn’t lost on me when she saw me in my Musketeer tunic and hat.
If I knew Penny as well as I thought I did, her dress would be historic or historically inspired. She’d told me she only wanted to do this—get married—once. I took a gamble and left my tuxedo in my closet and bought a costume instead, paying extra for the rush job from a Renaissance vendor in Denver. When Mom texted me pictures of Karina and Edyta’s dresses, I was confident I’d made the right choice.
Now to wow Penny like I knew she was going to wow me.
The ceremony was at 9 a.m., two hours before Brewski’s opened, so there shouldn’t be any traffic in the vicinity, except for the restaurant staff. Luckily, Brenna’s wedding barn was set far back from the road.
I’d barely slept three hours, but I was confident my adrenaline would carry me. The power nap on the flight back from Tampa would have to be enough. We’d won, and I’d contributed with two assists. I still hadn’t scored in a road game, but at least I was racking up points.
“You look ridiculous.”
I grinned into the mirror. My dad stood in the doorway, and he’d been shaking his head with every piece of clothing and accessory I’d added to my ensemble, all in different shades of blue. The tights, the striped poofy short pants, the pirate-style shirt. The embroidered brocade vest. The cape over one shoulder. The codpiece. I’d skipped the ruffed collar. I needed freedom to move my head so I could kiss Penny properly.
“Don’t forget your sword.” He handed me the saber and burst into laughter.
I couldn’t hold a straight face and joined him.
“If my father could see you now,” Dad roared. “Zavey-boy!” His impression of Opa gave me chills. “Zavey-boy, you make your Opa proud. Unlike my vayvard son, running off to America and forgetting all I taught him.”
“Aw, Dad. Opa was proud of you, too.”
He shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Still, a man has got to live his own life. And you are doing that. I’m proud ofyou.”
Dad wasn’t supposed to be the one choking me up today. “Thanks. I’m so glad you’re here.”
