by Wood, Vivian
I brush some of her hair back from her face, relishing this closeness.
“I love you too, Cate.”
She looks at the huge diamond on her finger. “You didn’t need to get me this, you know. I would’ve said yes without it.”
I kiss her again. “I know. That’s something that I love about you. I just wanted it to be official. I figure we can do it properly this time. A big white dress, this cathedral, me in a tux… the whole nine yards.”
She sucks in a breath. “You mean it?”
I chuckle. “If it makes you happy, we’ll do it. I would marry you on a beach. I would marry you in a ditch. It doesn’t matter to me. We have all the time in the world to decide.”
Standing, I help her to her feet. She beams up at me, her tears drying. “I love that, Luca.”
I stick my elbow out, offering it to her. She takes my arm and I usher her toward the back of the cathedral. “Owen is here somewhere. I think we should tell him and my sister first… then we should go somewhere.”
Cate’s brow knits. “Like to your house?”
I smile, shaking my head. “No. Somewhere more exotic than that. And while we’re on our mini-vacation, I’ll contact my real estate broker about buying your old house.”
Her steps falter. “You said it was a bad investment!”
I stop, staring down into her face. “It’s meaningful to you. That’s all that matters.”
She frowns. “I don’t need to you to buy things for me, Luca. That’s not why I married you in the first place.”
I cover her hand where she touches my arm. “I know. But I can. And I will. Then we will never argue about that again.” I smirk. “Although I’m a hundred percent certain that we will find new things to fight about.”
Her lips lift. “I’m still paying the down payment on the house. You can put up a fuss if you really want to, but I feel pretty strongly about it.”
Pulling her close, I seal my lips over hers briefly. “I would expect nothing less, princess.”
A little chill slips down her spine even as the nickname makes her smile. “It’s a deal.”
And with that, we head to the back of the cathedral, both bathed in the glow of our own love.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cate
As I walk down the aisle of the cathedral, the audience is standing up, looking at me in my wedding finery. I wobble a little, but Carmine is right beside me. He pats my hand and wheezes a little, smiling at me.
I only have eyes for one person, though. I can't stop staring at Luca. His dark blue, tailored tuxedo and crisp white shirt perfectly accentuate his tan and the bold lines of his face and body.
Even from this distance I can see the stubble on his face. My heart squeezes. Luca is normally fastidious; he must have been so busy this morning that he’d forgotten to shave.
I force myself to smile and nod at the people on either side of the aisle. I don’t really see anyone’s face, but I know they are there. I can hear people whispering and see a few waving at me.
We had wanted a smaller wedding, but that had been impossible, considering Luca's social prestige and my grandmother’s friends. Mostly the cathedral is packed with people who know the Leones, but I don’t mind. As long as my grandmother is here, and Harper and Luna are acting as my bridesmaids, I’m not too stressed.
Luca's mother and father had put up an unholy stink about it when we broached the mere idea of a small, intimate wedding. They also turned up their noses at my wanting it to be in a church though.
Luca put down his foot and told them we would bend on the guestlist but I got to pick the place. So here I am, walking down the aisle.
I smile at my grandmother and her friends as I reach my spot by the groom. They smile back at me, which is the little bit of encouragement that I need right now.
Luca's mother, liberated by my husband’s departure and excited by the prospect of a grandchild, had even quit drinking. She had been sober for three months now, and a far better person for it. Luca's father is, well, he is still an asshole, but he is making an effort to at least be respectful to Luca and Luna.
I reach my groom’s side. Luca beams at me.
All other worries and thoughts cease. All I can see is this man before me. Luca takes my breath away.
The wedding ceremony goes by in a blur. All I remember is when the priest asks Luca and I to join hands and recite our vows. When Luca gently slides the wedding band onto my finger, and his eyes gleam with unshed tears as he speaks.
“Cate, you have been a revolution in my life. No matter where we’ve gone, or what we’ve done, we’ve always been able to come back to each other. You are kind, beautiful, smart, strong, good, and loyal. I vow to love you, honor you, respect you, support you, and protect you. I vow to be faithful and kind. I vow to never forget how lucky I am to be marrying my best friend.”
He stops for a second, gathering his breath. My heart swells; my eyes blur with tears.
“I only have one regret, which is that it took me so long to figure out that I was in love with you. I think, in my mind, I kept seeing you as that scruffy little girl that Luna first brought home… and then one day, I looked and I suddenly saw this incredible, beautiful woman before me.”
I beam. “I’m glad you changed your mind,” I quip.
He laughs. “Cate, I know you’ve had to struggle before, but no matter what comes our way, I vow that you won’t struggle alone ever again. Your troubles will be mine, your joys my own. Everything I have is yours.”
I feel the tears running down my cheeks like rain. Suddenly, all my anxiety seems to melt away, leaving only an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. I take the large gold wedding ring and place it on Luca’s finger.
“Luca… first, those vows were amazing. I don’t know how I could ever top them. But then, I don’t have to, do I? We’re together now, and everything that strengthens you also strengthens me.”
“You know it,” he affirms, squeezing my hands.
“You’ve been my best friend too. I can’t even remember a time when you weren’t in my life. I feel like you encourage me, protect me, reassure me, and grow with me. But I was blind to you, just like you were to me.”
Luca brings one of my palms to his lips for a kiss, but otherwise doesn’t interrupt. I swallow heavily and then continue.
“Once I realized I was in love with you, it felt like someone had turned on a light within my soul. I vow to cherish you, and that light. I vow to love you and honor you. I vow to always be grateful for the blessing of your love. And I’ll protect you, too, whenever I can. I vow to be by your side for the rest of our lives together. I love you and I’m honored to call you my husband.”
The priest smiles and says, “By the power vested in me, I now proclaim you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!”
As people stand and applaud, Luca’s strong hands wrap around my waist. I turn my face up to his and he seals his lips over mine. I feel more happy and protected than I’ve ever been, here in his arms.
Forever and ever.
The End
Chapter Thirty-Five
Luna
Coming up next…
I swallow nervously as I climb the steps of the drab little office building. I pause in front of the dark wood front door. Hoisting my medical bag, I smooth my dark gray skirt.
“You’re going to do well,” I tell myself. Moisture pools in my armpits. I normally wouldn’t wear such a formal black top, especially not on this warm Seattle day.
But today is a job interview.
No, not an interview. The job interview. I really need this internship to put on my resume during this summer while I transition from medical school into my residency. It’s vital for the doctors in charge of assignments to find me impressive, from what I hear.
Of course, my medical school only accepts a few positions as resume-worthy… and I found out about all of this two days ago. And this is it, the only position remaining.
; I look at the building one more time, biting my lip.
Aurora Borealis Charters, the sign above the door reads.
Blowing out a steadying breath, I open the door. A gust of cool air buffets my face as I step into the dreary office. Everything is just shades of brown in here. The faded carpet, the worn drapes, the chipped office furniture.
I swallow again. How is this place still open and making money?
There is a young woman seated at the reception desk. She looks up at me from an ancient PC, her expression puzzled.
“May I help you?” she asks.
I step fully inside the office, closing the door behind me. “Yes. I have an appointment with Daniel Byrne?”
The receptionist’s brow furrows. “In what regard?”
I set down my heavy medical bag with a soft thunk. “It’s a job interview. You’re still looking for someone with medical expertise, right?”
“Ohhhh,” she says, pushing herself to her feet. “Sorry. You just look too young to be a nurse.”
I scowl at her words. “I actually just graduated medical school,” I say, keeping my tone as even I as can.
“Oh!” She flushes. “Sorry. Let me just go tell him you’re here.”
I bow my head. “Of course. Thank you.”
She goes through the only doorway, only bothering to partially close the door. “Daniel! The medical attendant is here!”
I fidget with my bracelets. Each one is a silver bangle from Tiffany’s, chosen with great care. One for each year of college.
I graduated with my two best friends, Cate and Harper, and wanted something to commemorate the time.
So I got us all matching bangles. It may be silly, but it really bucks me up to think about the meaning of the bracelets on days like this one.
The receptionist sticks her head out of the doorway. “Mr. Byrne will see you now.”
Smiling graciously, I pick up my medical case and head back toward her.
She ushers me down a hallway to a cramped office, where a shockingly handsome man sits behind his file-covered desk. He wears slacks and a tropical shirt, his salt-and-pepper hair cut close to his scalp. He stands up to shake my hand and I notice that he is quite tall and muscular to boot.
I flush as our palms touch.
“Daniel Byrne,” he announces.
“It’s a pleasure. I’m Luna Leone,” I say. The color in my cheeks flames higher under his measuring gaze.
I wonder what he sees when he looks at me.
A little rich girl?
Someone too young to be a doctor?
I hope not.
“Sit, sit,” he says, resettling himself in his seat. “Let’s see…” He digs through the piles of papers on his desk, unearthing a file. He flips it open and leafs through the pages. “You’re from Mercy Southwest, right?”
I sit down in the only chair, setting my case down beside me. “Yes. I just graduated medical school in the top half of my class.”
Okay, I was number fourteen out of thirty. So what I told him was not a lie… it just wasn’t exactly the whole truth.
My lie draws his gaze up from the page. “Really?”
I shift in my seat, trying not to give in to my urge to fidget. “Yes.”
“Mm.” He looks down at my file again. “We usually don’t get the first draft of med students in here. Or second, or the third.” He smiles ruefully. “Actually, we usually only get the people that just barely graduated by the skin of their teeth. Cruising to Alaska and living on a boat for an entire summer doesn’t really appeal to a lot of people, I guess.” His brow hunches. “Especially not women.”
I blush again. “I see. Well, you were on the approved list of placements that my school gave me…”
He rocks back in his seat, studying me. “Why are you really here? Is this your backup or something?”
My cheeks are stained bright pink. “No, sir. This is the only place that I’ve applied.” I gulp. “I just found out about the program this week, though.”
He cocks a brow. “Ahh. So you ran out of other options, then.”
God, kill me now. “I prefer not to think of it that way, Mr. Byrne.”
Daniel’s gaze is heavy on me for a moment, then he rocks back in his chair again. “I think that kind of attitude will get you a long way, Miss Leone.” He looks down at my file again, sucking at his teeth. “Mercy West has never steered us wrong yet. I’ll just need you to fill out a million papers saying that you won’t sue us if anything goes wrong.”
“That’s it?” I ask, surprised. I start to stand up because he does, but he waves me back down.
“Yep. As long as you are qualified, we’ll take you. I just need to bring my son in to meet you. He captains most of the charters that we take out so he’ll be your direct boss.”
Relief floods me. “Oh, thank you Mr. Byrne!”
Daniel gives me a hooded smile. “We’ll see if you’re still thanking me when you’re actually out at sea, with waves rolling below deck and no land in sight.”
My eyes widen, but he heads out of the office. I used to spend every summer on my parent’s yacht when I was a kid… but it’s been fifteen years since then.
Do most of the medical staff that this place hires deal with seasickness, then?
“Dad, I really don’t have time for this,” a gruff voice says.
For some reason, every hair on my body stands on end at that voice. I don’t know why it sounds familiar though.
I hear Daniel answer. “Just poke your head in, Gabe.”
I turn my head just in time to see a decades-younger version of Daniel appear. He’s probably only thirty, more muscular and fit than his father. His hair is jet black, like the t-shirt he’s wearing. But his eyes…
He looks at me with eyes the exact color of seagrass, that faint blue-green shade.
How could I ever forget those eyes?
It’s been six months since I got drunk and hooked up with a stranger in Vegas for my birthday. We didn’t use names and he left before I could ask for his number…
But I will never, ever forget those eyes. Or the things that his calloused hands made me feel that night… He made me scream his name four different times… then he vanished while I was drowsing.
Gabriel. Saying his name inside of my head excites me. I can feel my pupils begin to dilate.
“I—” he begins.
“You—” I start.
We both stop. My heart is suddenly beating hard enough to hear it in my ears.
“Gabe, don’t stop in the middle of the damned doorway,” his father chides. “Come on now.”
Gabe looks at me, a silent plea on his face. He clears his throat.
“I don’t think we should hire a girl,” he says loudly. “Remember the last one we brought on? She didn’t even make it for two hours before we had to turn around and drop her off. Women aren’t cut out for the life.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
Daniel doesn’t seem to notice the tension between his son and me. “That was eight years ago, Gabe. Get with it. Women can do anything they want to do now.”
I narrow my eyes. “You look familiar, Gabe.”
He actually blushes. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t see any reason I would. You must be confused.”
My brow hunches. From his guilty tone, I can guess that he’s flat-out lying. I don’t know why, though.
“Gabe, I just wanted to introduce Miss Leone to you.” Daniel looks at his watch. “Would you two excuse me for a moment? I need to take my pill and I think I left the bottle in my car.” He turns and heads out. “I’ll be right back!”
Gabe and I are left there, staring each other down.
“What the heck is going on?” I ask.
Gabe slides his gaze out the door, then whispers his answer to me. “You should not work here, little girl.”
I make an offended noise. “Uhh! I should work anywhere I want to, Gabriel.”
He narrows his eyes. “Seriously.
You should get out of here. I don’t have time or attention for someone… someone like you.”
I huff. “That’s funny. I think that you don’t want Mr. Byrne to know that you slept with me. Why would that be?”
Gabe reddens. “Get. OUT!”
Normally I would leave. My mother always taught me that a woman should only be in places where it was clear that she was wanted. Desired, even.
This is definitely not one of those situations.
But if I don’t take this internship, I’m out of options. And I’m damned sure that Gabriel isn’t going to stand in the way of me getting a good rotation when school starts again.
I fix him with my gaze. “No. You probably don’t know this, but the school looks at these next few months when they are determining who gets what position next year. This internship is my last chance not to end up at the bottom of the pile.”
Gabe leans back against the wall, peering outside again. “I don’t care.”
“Well, you should.” Grasping at straws, I pull out my only ammunition. “Otherwise I… I will tell your father about the drunken night we spent together.”
The corner of his mouth turns down. “So?”
Oh, fudge. I start to sweat, even in the air-conditioned office.
“I think you care what he thinks,” I accuse. “If not, I’ll just… I’ll march out of here and tell him!”
Gabriel studies me, not too different from the measuring gaze his father gave me earlier. Then he shifts his stance.
“Fine,” he says, gritting his teeth. “Just keep your mouth shut, all right?”
That actually worked? He’s just… letting me work here?
“Okay,” I agree hastily. “You have my word.”
He snorts. “You’ve already blackmailed me. Do you really think your word is worth anything to me?”
Gabriel pushes himself off of the wall, heading out of the tiny office. I look at him as he goes, feeling a weird ripple of guilt.
“Wait!” I call.
He pauses, already out the door. “What?”
Swallowing, I try to think of what to say. Surely I can reassure him somehow. Explain that I’m really a good person, I just need this job.