“It’s much more than that when you’re signing that piece of paper with the love of your life.”
She waited for a beat, but not too long because she’d be damned if she’d give him the opportunity to rethink this. “Then the answer is yes.” A tear ran down her cheek, probably running her makeup, but she didn’t care.
Tyler slid the ring on her finger, and she threw her arms around him, knocking him to the ground and falling on top of him. He laughed and hugged her to him, holding her tight, as if he’d never let her go.
Chapter 9—The End and the Beginning
A few months later
Estie and Lavender decided on a double wedding, which suited Tyler just fine. This wedding crap was for the women; he’d rather skip right to the honeymoon, but Lavender had already told him that eloping was not an option then proceeded to put a sizeable dent in his bank account.
Tyler stood on the lawn of the old mansion next to Brett, who looked ready to pass out, throw up, or both. What a wuss.
Tyler jabbed him with an elbow. “Don’t faint like a pussy. Estie will have your ass for ruining her wedding.”
Brett squared his jaw and looked Tyler up and down. “You don’t look too hot yourself.”
“Bachelor party fallout.” Tyler stared straight ahead, concentrating on the French doors on the porch along the back of the mansion.
Brett snorted and rolled his eyes. “You can’t fool me, Ty, you didn’t drink last night. Not one drop.”
Tyler ignored his buddy and soon-to-be brother-in-law. This conversation was going nowhere except toward embarrassing himself. Sure, he might be a little nervous—maybe he couldn’t eat this morning, maybe he’d tied and re-tied his bow-tie, maybe he’d sweated a gallon in the past hour. But that was about getting through the ceremony without making a fool of himself. He’d vanquished all his doubts about marrying Lavender and was looking forward to this day and all the days to come.
Zach, Derek, and Bruiser stood opposite Tyler and Brett, all wearing black tuxes. The front rows were filled with their close friends and family. His mother was beaming with pride, while his sister, Freddie, wore her usual scowl. Derek’s stepmother held Derek and Rachel’s new baby boy, christened Ryan Cole Ramsey. More friends and teammates filled the rest of the folding chairs or stood on the expansive lawn. Clouds had given way to sun, which had kept Kelsie, their self-appointed wedding planner, from having a total meltdown. She had been stressing all morning about what they’d do if it rained. Only it wasn’t going to rain. The sun banished the gray and the temps sat the mid-seventies, while a slight breeze from the inlet kept everything perfect.
The music started, and they got this show on the road. Elliot walked carefully down the grassy aisle carrying the rings on a navy and gold pillow.
The stunning bridesmaids came next, dressed in matching silky green dresses that bared their legs and shoulders in a classy way. The women took their places next to the groomsmen.
All eyes turned toward the porch of the mansion as Estie slowly walked onto the deck and paused. Even Tyler held his breath. He’d never seen his sister look so incredibly happy or so beautiful. Brett grinned like a love-struck idiot. Once Estie took her place next to Brett, everyone’s attention swung back to the porch.
Tyler held his breath and wiped his sweaty palms on his dress pants.
His mouth dropped open as Lavender strolled out like a princess in a fairy tale—his fairy tale—his happily ever after. As corny and weird as the sounded, he’d take it.
She was beautiful. So beautiful. Cinderella had nothing over on his Lavender. Even her dress reminded him of Cinderella, all flowing and long with a billowy skirt. Her creamy shoulders were bare, and her red hair—thank God she’d gone back to her natural color—was tied loosely in a messy, sexy look, and threaded with lavender and rhinestones that shone in the sun and gave her a naughty-good-girl look. He couldn’t wait to take the damn dress off her.
She caught his eye as she sauntered down the porch steps to the lawn. He grinned, pretty sure he was wearing the same sappy smile as Brett.
The ceremony was a blur except for Lavender’s radiant face and the happy thumping of Tyler’s heart. The only thing that seemed real was this woman standing next to him.
When the vows were said, the rings exchanged, and the brides kissed, Tyler and Lavender followed Brett and Estie down the aisle of green grass and flower petals and got the party started. They celebrated long into the night with friends and family, dancing, drinking, laughing, joking. The best time ever.
As the night turned to early morning and the guests finally began to disperse, Tyler stood proudly by his wife’s side and thanked each person for coming.
He stared down at the simple band on his finger. Instead of feeling claustrophobic, he felt joy, absolute, pure joy.
She was his.
Forever.
He’d taken the risk and he’d won the ultimate payoff of a forever love.
Tyler glanced up at the sky as the stars winked out. His father had been so right.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport is an advocate of happy endings and writes sexy contemporary and sports romances. Jami’s new releases consistently rank in the top fifty on the sports romance and sports genre lists on Amazon, and she has hit the Amazon top hundred authors list in both contemporary romance and genre fiction multiple times.
Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Green Beret-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland cross with a tennis ball fetish, a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat, and an opinionated Hanoverian mare. She works in IT for her day job and is a former high school business teacher. She’s a lifetime Seahawks and Mariners fan and is waiting for the day professional hockey comes to Seattle. An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, a common setting in her books. In her opinion, it’s the most beautiful place on earth.
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