The men have the bar, the ladies have the spa.
There are no hotel guests milling around. The island is entirely ours.
Don Baskin called Kat three weeks ago to say there had been a mass cancellation. A movie star and her rockstar fiancé had called it quits earlier in the week. As they had booked the entire island for their nuptials, Kat jumped in. Calling me and asking me my opinion.
As I’ve wanted to marry the woman for as long as I can physically remember, it was a no-brainer. So here I am, the night before I sayI do, to the woman who has tied me up in knots for years.
Elijah stands up and taps the side of his glass, our server bringing over a tray of champagne glasses.
“Gentleman,” he says.
Caleb chokes on the drink he’s holding.
“How come you get to do the speech?” Caleb heckles. “We’re only here because of my matchmaking.”
Everyone rolls their eyes, and I clasp his shoulder. “Something I’ll be eternally grateful for,” I say, earning myself a grin.
“Glad I could help. If anyone else is in need of my services—” A drinks coaster comes flying through the air. I’m unsure whether it was Quentin, Tristan or Xander who threw it.
“Don’t encourage him,” all three groan together.
Elijah taps his glass again, glaring at his younger brother.
“I’m standing here because Jaxson was my best friend at university. I’ve known him the longest and as Kat’s older brother…”
“He’s my business partner,” Caleb fires back. “I spend more time with him now.”
“Can you please just get on with it?” Gabriel says drily. “Cal, you can give a speech after Elijah. Age before beauty, I think the saying is.”
It’s amazing the pair didn’t kill each other while Kat was out of action. Michael all but dropped to his knees at Kat’s feet when she finally returned, begging to be rescued.
Elijah glares at Gabriel. I bite the inside of my mouth to stop myself from laughing at the look Caleb shoots Elijah.
Gabriel simply shakes his head and makes a rolling motion with his hand to speed up proceedings.
“Fine,” Elijah huffs. “As I was about to say. I’d like to propose a toast.”
He takes one of the champagne glasses and encourages everyone else to do the same. Holding it up, he turns to me.
“You’re one hell of a brave man taking on our sister, but we know you’re up to the job.” He smiles, something he does much more these days and especially since baby Amelia arrived. “Like all Frazers, Kat is independent, focused, but most of all, she’s loyal to a fault. Loyal is something you’ve proved to be, time and time again. You’ve been like a brother to me over the years, always having my back, even when I didn’t know or truly appreciate it. Now I get to call you brother for real. Welcome to the family, Jax.”
Caleb makes a loud, theatrical sobbing sound, to which Elijah balls up his napkin and throws it at him.
“Well, if you think you can do better, go for it.” Elijah harrumphs as he sits down.
Caleb stands up. “This is all down to me,” he says, taking a bow. “You can thank me later,” he says, shooting me a wink. “If I hadn’t arranged for you to stow away on Kat’s flight, the two of you may never have found one another again. I take full responsibility, and I couldn’t be happier. Just call me Cupid going forward.”
“We arranged,” Elijah says.
“My idea,” Caleb shoots back.
I stand up, holding up my hands.
“Thank you both for your kind words,” I say, almost choking on my champagne. “I’ve been around this family for a long time. I’ve loved your sister for most of that time. Things have not been easy. No one needs reminding of the trials Kat and I’ve faced before finally finding one another again.”
A cheer goes up.
“And I promise, I’ll love her until my dying breath. She’s it for me.”
