Page 134 of Inspiring Izzy

"I've never been better," a sigh of contentment leaves my lips.

The music fades as a spotlight lands on Brady holding a microphone. Someone whistles suggestively. Uncle Kyle slaps the back of Liam's head and I chuckle. Guess we know who made the suggestive noise.

"Thank you all for being here tonight," Brady smiles, his eyes landing on me. "I started this year not quite sure what it would look like for this company. Or for me. I've been at this for nine years and I'm still amazed that we employ over 300 people. I'm amazed that we continue to turn a profit that allows us to expand every quarter. I'm amazed by how far we've come in such a short amount of time."

He pauses as our eyes lock and I can't tell if he's talking about his company anymore or our relationship.

"I lost the love of my life nine years ago," Brady exhales heavily. He shoves his free hand into the pocket of his black tux. "I didn't know what to do, so I started building. I threw myself into building something that might be big enough to fill the void she left. But nothing—nothing—could."

My heart throbs as I watch him shift on the stage. Mom reaches for my hand and squeezes gently.

"Iz," Brady grins, "I'm so glad you came back to me. Laboring and building for nine years made me the man you finally deserve. I still can't believe I get to call you my wife."

My eyes fill with tears as he stops to collect himself.

"To every single person here tonight," Brady glances at the crowd. "Thank you for being a part of Cohen Tech. Thank you to the families who sacrifice holidays to make the resort run smoothly—efficiently. It doesn't go unnoticed and because I understand the value of family now—because I have one of my own—the board approved an extra two weeks of holiday pay for every single employee. Starting today, everyone gets a month of vacation time."

The crowd erupts into a sea of applause. I smile at my husband. Yeah, that's my husband.

"Raffle prizes start in a few minutes," Brady announces. "We have quite the packages this year. Everything from a weekend in Pagosa to a trip to New York. Thank you!"

More applause erupts as Mom leans over and whispers, "You chose good, Iz."

The crowd parts as Brady makes his way over to me.

"Hey," I smile up at him.

"Hey," he returns.

"I'm so proud of you," I say.

Brady's arms wrap around me. "I'm so proud ofus."

I hold onto him as Angie's face appears over his shoulder. She's drunk, but I don't miss the unmistakable look of longing on her face.

"What are we going to do about Angie?" I ask him.

"We're going to move on with our life," Brady shrugs.

"No," I shake my head, "she's your business partner. More than that, she's been your friend. You're so easy to love, it's not even surprising she feels that way about you."

"What are you saying?" Brady tilts his head to the side.

"I'm saying..." I trail off as Angie stumbles and Andre appears at her side, steadying her. "I'm saying that instead of using lawyers and emails to communicate, what if you just talktoher?"

"She tried to get you fired," Brady scoffs. "I'm not talking to her."

"I know," I sigh. "But I also know what it feels like to lose you to someone else. It's...the worst feeling in the world."

"It's not the same, Iz."

"Why isn't it?"

"Because we love each other."

"Try?" I ask. "For me?"

Brady hugs me tight. "Not tonight. She'll turn it into a fight."

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