“I didn’t believe that for a long time. Even after we started seeing each other, I still kept thinking in the back of my mind that if it were Sean there, you would choose him.”
“It was never a competition. Sean’s my friend, but it’s you I’m in love with.”
A slow smile crossed his lips. “Is it?”
She nodded.
“Say it,” he whispered.
“I love you, Ryan Peterson. You and no one else.”
Wrapping her in his arms, he kissed her. And kept on kissing her until she agreed to stay with him not only for another night in Vermont, but for the rest of their lives.
Epilogue
Ten months later…
“You have got to be kidding me!”
Tricia chuckled as she sat back on her deck looking at Sean. He had just walked through the French doors, his hands full of what looked to be the mail. “Problem?”
“I thought we were through with all of this stuff last summer. And now…”
“Well, to be fair, you didn’t have to go through anything last summer. You were laid up with your casts and missed all the fun. We’re all just making sure you get the full experience this time around.”
All around her, everyone chucked – Ryan, Steph and Paul.
“Yeah, well…you guys suck. How am I supposed to deal with all of this?” Sean cried, taking a seat on the bench overlooking the pond.
“We were very considerate of your schedule,” Ryan began with a grin, his arm wrapped around Tricia’s shoulders. “You said you were home until the middle of August so we made sure we stayed in that time frame.”
Sean snorted with disgust. “The only reason there’s a time frame is because you’re sending me to do those job bids out in California!” Since his recovery, Sean had finally taken his brother up on his offer to go into business together.
“You said you didn’t mind the traveling,” Ryan reminded. “And I know how you hate to be still for too long. We’re merely providing some things for you to do.”
“There’s two engagement parties, two wedding showers and two weddings! We’ve got something going on practically every weekend for the entire summer. When am I supposed to have any time to myself?” Sean said with exasperation.
“If you’d like, we can find someone to help you,” Steph said, grinning too. “Like a partner to help you plan all these events.”
“Plan?! I thought I was just a guest!”
“You’re my best man,” Ryan said. “You’ll need to organize and plan my bachelor party and…”
“No strippers!” Tricia interrupted.
Ryan kissed her on the cheek. “With no strippers, of course. And being that the wedding shower is co-ed, you’ll have to help plan what the guys are doing.”
“Oh, for the love of it…”
“And since you and Ryan are my sons, I’ll expect you to take care of some of the details for mine and Paul’s wedding,” Steph added. “You more so than Ryan since he’ll be busy with his own wedding plans.”
“Are you people for real?” Sean asked wearily. “Couldn’t you space this out any better?”
“You’re a flight risk – or you have the potential to be,” Ryan reminded him. “We wanted to make sure you were here for all of the festivities.”
“Trish, come on. Be on my side,” Sean begged. “Help me out.”
She laughed. “Sorry, buddy. I had to give up having you as my maid of honor since you’re going to be Ryan’s best man. The most I can do is hook you up with my cousin Angie to help you out with some of it.”
“Angie? I don’t even know who that is!”
“You never met her. She’s my cousin on my dad’s side. We hadn’t seen each other in years and we reconnected not too long ago. It turns out she has a real knack for party planning. She’s cute,” she teased. “You’ll like her.”
“Great,” Sean mumbled.
“Who knows,” Ryan said with a laugh. “Maybe she can be your date for this year’s wedding season!”
Sean shot to his feet with his hands in the air in frustration. “You know what? Make fun all you want but I don’t need any help or any dates. So keep your matchmaking and planning to yourselves. I can do it on my own just fine!” He walked back into Tricia’s house and slammed the door.
“Poor boy,” Steph said but didn’t sound the least bit sorry.
“Little does he know that working with Angie wasn’t a suggestion,” Tricia said with a wicked grin.
Ryan nodded, pulling her close. “It’s kind of nice knowing that this time we’ll be the ones sitting back and watching all the fun.”
They all laughed at the inside joke.
Paul joined in the laughter and then looked at the three of them. “I think I’m going to really enjoy being part of this family.”
The Wedding Season Page 13