“He was a hero,” Mandy said solemnly. “He ultimately knocked out Jacob.”
“And yet we both know you did all of the work,” James said. “I’m fine with making him look like a hero, though. I want Darcy to have a good time.”
“I think you’re the best man ever,” Mandy said, her eyes glistening with tears.
“I think that you’re the best wife ever,” James said, leaning over so he could plant a soft kiss on her mouth. “This is for you and I want you to enjoy it. I’m even going to dance.”
“Yay!” Mandy hopped up and down and clapped her hands.
“At midnight, though, all of these prom goers are being tossed out on their asses,” James added. “Then it’s just going to be you and me … and we’re not seeing any of these people tomorrow either. Tomorrow it’s just us before the big wedding.”
“You had me at ‘you and me,’” Mandy teased.
“You had me the moment I laid eyes on you, baby. I’ve been yours ever since.”
“THIS WAS the best idea ever,” Ally said, leaning back in her chair and resting her head on Jake’s shoulder as she munched on a cheese biscuit. “I can’t believe you guys came up with this.”
“Yes, well, we’re nothing if not in tune with our future wives’ needs,” Grady boasted.
James scorched him with a murderous look. “Seriously?”
Grady’s smile slipped. “Fine. This was all James. We just invited ourselves when we heard what he was doing.”
“It’s still fun,” Emma said. “I never got to go to a prom before. This has been … the best experience. I mean, I love the baby and all. This is beautiful, though. I’ll never forget it.”
“I’m glad,” Finn said, squeezing her hand.
“Even Maverick is having a good time,” Jake said, pointing to the far side of the pool where Maverick and Darcy danced. They animatedly talked as they swayed back and forth, and even though they didn’t look overly romantic, there was clearly something going on between them.
“I’m glad everyone is having a good time,” James said, turning his eyes to Mandy. “Now, if you’re done stuffing your face, I was hoping you would dance with me, baby.”
Mandy beamed as she took his hand. “I would love to dance with you.”
“That’s good,” James said. “I paid the guy spinning the music to come up with as many power ballads as possible.”
“You’re always thinking.”
“I am,” James agreed, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist and tugging her close as they swayed to the familiar sound of Cheap Trick’s “The Flame.”
“Oh, this is it,” Mandy murmured, resting her face against his shoulder.
“This is what?”
“It’s a perfect moment,” Mandy replied. “You don’t get a lot of them in life. Whenever I feel one, I file it away in my memory so I’ll never forget it.”
James arched an eyebrow as he glanced down at her. “What other perfect moments have we had?”
“I … don’t make fun of me,” Mandy chided.
“I’m not making fun of you,” James countered. “I really want to know. What other perfect moments have we had?”
Mandy shrugged. “The first time you told me that you loved me.”
James pursed his lips. “That was a rough day. You were almost killed.”
“And yet you fixed everything when you told me you loved me. Those were the words I wanted most to hear from you and I wasn’t sure you could ever feel that way about me.”
“Give me another one,” James said, kissing the tip of Mandy’s nose. “What else was a perfect moment? How about when I proposed?”
“Not the moment you proposed,” Mandy clarified. “I was worried at that exact moment because I thought you were only doing it because you wanted to make me feel safe after everything that happened. The perfect moment came when you told me you had the ring for months. That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That you really loved me.”
James gripped her tighter. “I loved you before then.”
“I know that, but in the back of my mind I always thought you were going to come to your senses and decide you didn’t love me at some point,” Mandy admitted. “It took me a while to believe what you were telling me.”
“Because I’m a liar?”
“Because I wanted it so badly.”
“Oh, my baby,” James muttered, kissing her cheek. “You’re so much work. I wish you could take things on faith sometimes.”
“I do now.”
“You do better now,” James clarified. “You still have moments of insecurity. I don’t think It’s possible to change that. That’s one of my biggest regrets. I caused that when I walked out of your apartment that night after our first time together. If I could take anything back, it would be that.”
Mandy lifted an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “What else would you take back?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you could take things back, what would they be?”
“Oh, I’m not playing this game,” James said, shaking his head. “That’s got ‘trap’ written all over it.”
Mandy giggled at his serious expression. “It’s not meant to be a trap. It’s meant to be a … bonding exercise.”
“If we were any more bonded we would be fused at the groin,” James said.
“Please?”
James growled. “Fine,” he conceded. “If you want to play this game, we’ll play this game. I don’t want to hear any complaining after, though.”
“I won’t complain,” Mandy said. “I’m going to play, too. It will be a back and forth.”
James still wasn’t convinced, but it was her prom. There as no way he would deny her. “Okay, baby. I’ve already given you one. I would never leave that first night. It’s your turn. Go.”
Mandy smiled indulgently. “I wouldn’t hit you that day at the funeral,” she said quickly. “That was wrong and you’ll never know how sorry I am. I’m not sorry about slapping you after you walked out on me while I was sleeping that first night, but I’ll be forever sorry about slapping you that day at Heidi’s funeral.”
“Oh, baby, don’t be so hard on yourself,” James said. “You were upset that day. I didn’t take it personally.”
“It was still wrong. I’m very sorry.”
“Okay,” James said, refusing to let her guilt derail their evening. “You can make it up to me when we have prom sex later.”
Mandy nodded. “Gladly. What else from you?”
“I would never throw the chair,” James said. “That night we got in the fight about you going to work after you were almost shot and I freaked out and threw the chair at the wall … I saw your face, baby. For a second, well, you were afraid of me. I would definitely take that back.”
“I’ve never been afraid of you. I wasn’t afraid that night either. I was surprised and angry, but I wasn’t afraid.”
“You can say that all you want, but I don’t believe it’s true,” James said. “It will never happen again, though.”
“Okay.” Mandy kissed his chin. “I guess that’s fair.”
“I also wouldn’t let you walk into that courthouse alone the day you resigned,” James said. “I blame myself. I was right there when Clint took you.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
“It doesn’t matter,” James said. “I told you I wouldn’t dwell on it any longer and I meant it, but I’m still angry I let it happen.”
“Is that it?” Mandy asked. “Are those the only things you would take back?”
“Take back? Yes. Regret? No. I regret a lot of things, but I wouldn’t take them back because I think they made us stronger as a couple. You have to weather some storms to embrace the sunshine. You, my baby, are my eternal sunshine.”
Mandy’s heart lodged in her throat as she blinked back tears. “I … .”
“Don’t you dare cry,” James warned. “This is your prom. It’s a happy t
ime.”
“I would take back one more thing,” Mandy said, collecting herself. “I would take back every moment I wondered if you would ever lose interest or leave me. I know now that you never will.”
The corners of James’ mouth tipped up. “Do you really?”
“I do,” Mandy said. “Only a man truly in love would throw a prom like this even though he hates dancing.”
“I love dancing with you,” James clarified. “Those perfect moments you talk about? I’ve had a few while dancing with you.”
“Me, too,” Mandy said. “I’ve also had a few while playing with you, like when you dressed up in adult Underoos just so we could be Justice League heroes.”
James grinned. “You’re making me feel warm and tingly, baby.”
“You make me feel unbelievably happy.”
James pressed a soft kiss to Mandy’s mouth, lingering there for a long moment and letting the noise and giggles of the other prom guests fade away. “Me, too. How about we dance for a little bit and then head to our bedroom to finish out the prom in spectacular fashion?”
Mandy’s expression shifted from earnest to mischievous. “What about everyone else?”
“Oh, I’m locking the door,” James said. “Family time is fine and all, but this is a night to spend with my wife. They can do whatever they want as long as they leave us alone.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“That sounds like our forever, baby,” James said. “It’s here. We made it. Let’s enjoy it.”
23
Twenty-Three
Peter stood next to Sophie in the country club’s lobby the next afternoon. The wedding was officially here, and even though he knew Grady would love and cherish his daughter forever, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia.
“What are you thinking?” Sophie asked.
Peter raised her to be strong and sure of herself, but if he didn’t know better, he would think she was nervous. “I’m thinking that the best thing I ever did in this world was adopt you.”
Sophie pressed her lips together and smoothed her simple dress. Ally was at the front of the line. She insisted on being the first bride through the door. Sophie was fine with that. Ally wanted to be the center of attention, but Sophie never did. She just wanted to marry Grady and officially join their hearts together.
“What are you thinking?” Peter prodded.
“That I wouldn’t be here without you,” Sophie replied, swallowing the lump in her throat. “You saved me. You made it so Grady could finish saving me. I don’t know if I’ve ever explained how much I love you, but you’re so important to me. I can never thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
Peter, who was never one to cry, was surprised to find a lone tear rolling down his cheek. “You saved me, my Sophie. You made me a better man. You made me want to be a better man. I am the one in your debt.”
“You made all of this possible,” Sophie said. “You kept us safe so many times I lost count.”
“I merely helped,” Peter said. “I will always be here to help.”
“And I will always be here to love you.”
“ARE YOU nervous?” Jeff Pritchard stood next to his sister and marveled at how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. At the worst times in their lives, he often dreamed she would get a happy ending. He didn’t think it was a legitimate possibility, though. Finn Hardy changed that for Emma. He also helped Jeff when he didn’t need to do it. Jeff found himself consumed with gratitude when he thought about the Hardy family. He also felt awed by their loyalty and giving natures.
“I’m not nervous,” Emma replied, surprised to find she actually meant it. “This is my dream come true.”
“You know you’re Finn’s dream come true, too, right?”
Emma smiled and nodded. “It took me a long time to realize that I was worth anything, but Finn makes me believe I’m worth everything. I lucked out to get him for a husband, and I got really lucky to get you for a brother, too.”
Jeff’s cheeks colored. “I’m not sure what kind of brother I’ve been. I’ve done my best.”
“You did more than your best,” Emma corrected, squeezing his hand. “You went above and beyond. You’re the only person who has always believed in me.”
Jeff returned the squeeze. “I will always believe in you, Emma. It’s impossible not to.”
“ARE YOU ready for this?” Louis Hardy didn’t bother hiding his tears as he stood next to Ally. She bounced from one foot to the other, excitement positively rolling off her in waves. “Are you ready to leave me?”
Ally snorted. “I’m not leaving you. I’m simply adding Jake to the family.”
“He’s a good man,” Louis intoned. “He’s got a strong heart. He can love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
“I know that,” Ally said, beaming. “I’ve felt it since the first time we kissed. He might not have realized it then, but I did. I knew he was my future.
“Everything happens for a reason, Dad,” she continued. “I ran into Mandy that day after not seeing her for so long and sent her to James. Grady ran into Jake when trying to help Mandy. Jake joined the family because he bonded with my brothers. It was destiny.”
Louis chuckled. Ally was always something of a dreamer. He loved that about her. “Are you ready to embrace your destiny?”
Ally’s beautiful face split with the loveliest smile Louis had ever seen and she linked her arm with his. “I’ve been ready for this for a long time.”
“Then let’s do it, shall we?”
AS FAR as weddings go, nothing was grander than the Hardy triple wedding. Three couples stood before the minister, their families, and each other and pledge eternal fidelity and love. No one watching thought for a second that anyone would break his or her vows. It was impossible, after all. Soul mates never truly lose one another … and the Hardys would settle for nothing less than finding their true soul mates.
After the ceremony and photographs, everyone settled in for dinner. The wedding party sat at the front of the room, but as soon as the music started everyone broke off to dance. The couples enjoyed the party for a long time, even as the sun started drifting toward the horizon and the brides and grooms had to excuse themselves to change clothes before departing on their honeymoons. That’s when James led Mandy outside.
“It’s beautiful,” Mandy said, linking her fingers with his as they walked near the lake’s sandy shoreline. “The sun will be setting soon.”
“It will,” James confirmed, glancing over his shoulder. “The limos are here to take everyone else to their honeymoons. Did you say your goodbyes?”
Mandy pressed her lips together and nodded. “I guess. I congratulated them. It’s not as if I’m never going to see them again. They’ll be back in two weeks.”
“And you’re not going to be bored while they’re gone,” James said.
“That’s right.” Mandy bobbed her head. “I’m going to start working on my project.”
“We’re going to look at the warehouse this week,” James clarified. “You’re not working on your project more than that until they get back. This is kind of a second honeymoon for us, too. I don’t have a lot of work and with no one bugging us, we’re going to have endless time to spend together.”
“It sounds good, but it’s hardly a honeymoon,” Mandy said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“Not next week, no,” James said. “We’re going someplace the week after, though. Don’t worry. It’s not far. We’re saying in Michigan.”
Mandy stilled. “Where are we going?”
James’ grin was mischievous. “It’s a surprise.”
“You know I hate surprises.” James and Mandy spoke the exact same words at the same time, James mimicking his wife’s tone and causing her to smack his arm.
“Tell me what it is,” Mandy prodded.
James shook his head. “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
Mandy shifted her eyes to the water. It
was hot, probably too hot for an outdoor wedding, but with the sun setting the temperature didn’t feel too bad. “I’ll make you a deal,” she offered. “I’ll do something with you now that we didn’t get to do on our honeymoon if you tell me.”
Despite himself, James was intrigued. “And what is that?”
Mandy flashed a winning smile and then took James by surprise when she stripped out of her dress. The wedding was breaking up and there were very few people around. She left her strapless bra and panties on before kicking off her shoes and wading into the lake. She didn’t bother glancing behind her. She knew James was watching.
James followed suit, stripping off his clothes and leaving them in a heap next to her dress. He had no intention of telling her what he planned for her surprise, but he wasn’t going to give up a chance to go skinny-dipping with his wife. Mandy was hardly a prude, but she tended to have puritan flashes at times. He didn’t want to miss this moment. Heck, he didn’t want to miss any moment with her … ever.
James stroked through the water and widened his eyes when Mandy reached under the surface and removed her bra. She held it up for his benefit, as if she was trying to tempt him into confiding his secret.
“Tell me,” Mandy prodded. “That was the deal.”
“We didn’t make a deal,” James said, grabbing her around the waist and tugging her to him. He relished the way her skin pressed against his, the way she melded to him even though she was playing a game. “You took off your clothes before the deal was struck. It doesn’t count.”
“But … .”
“Baby, did I go wrong with the prom surprise?”
Mandy shook her head. “No. It was the perfect night.”
“I didn’t go wrong with this surprise either,” James said. “I’m not going to let you weasel it out of me, though.” He kissed her cheek. “There’s nothing you can do to make me tell you.”
“Fine,” Mandy grumbled, resigned. “You win.”
“Oh, wife, we’re both going to win.”
Mandy giggled as James swirled her through the water, his nose rubbing against her cheek. She could feel his excitement pressing against her thigh.
Deadly Forever (Hardy Brothers Security Book 24) Page 20