The house was deathly silent as we made our way down the sweeping staircase to the first floor. Two members of the staff opened the French doors that led out to the lake. We stepped outside. A hum trickled through the congregation, and heads turned in my direction. The world sharpened, the rows of guests rising, and a harpist struck up a tune.
The sea of faces blurred. All except for one. Joz.
Hair neatly pulled back into a man bun, his beard trimmed, his athletic frame poured into a suit he’d wear only once. My man was a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy but, damn, he rocked that suit like a pro. Maybe I could persuade him to wear it again, just for me, so I could slowly peel it off of him.
His eyes locked on me with a devotion so fierce and a love so bright, I almost lost it right then and there. His lips curved into the smallest of smiles, and he brought steepled fingers to them. Beside him, Erin bounced on her toes.
I loved that he’d asked her to be his best woman.
When we reached the arch, Dad pressed a kiss to my cheek, then gave my hand to Joz. And just like that, the world narrowed to only us.
“Hey, Spitfire.”
“Hey yourself.”
The minister began, but honestly, I hardly heard her. I caught fragments, talking of love and trust and honesty and forgiveness, but my whole focus was on Joz’s face. The intensity, the raw emotion, the truth only I saw. He wasn’t a global rockstar today, the legend the world thought they knew. He was mine. My Joz.
We stumbled through our vows and exchanged rings, and then Joz was kissing me. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, but it was Arthur’s loud “Ew” that echoed through the fog, and I broke away, laughing against Joz’s lips.
The weather held, allowing the reception to take place in a marquee on the lawn. We ate, we drank, and we danced to a live band Joz had hired, although this time he remained firmly in the role of guest. Maybe when we were alone, I could persuade him to play the song he sang the night he proposed.
The tinkling of silverware against a champagne glass caught everyone’s attention. Dad, with his cheeks still tearstained from his third, or was it fourth, bout of crying, stood to make his speech. It was beautiful and heartfelt, and by the time he finished there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“My turn,” Erin said after Dad had sat down to rapturous applause.
“Oh, God,” Joz groaned.
She raised a champagne glass at Joz and grinned wickedly. “First of all, I never thought I’d witness my brother voluntarily wearing a suit. Miracles truly do happen. If anyone is interested in a little bet, I’m running a book on how long he’ll last before he’s back in his trademark T-shirt and ripped jeans. Come and see me after the speeches if you want in on it.”
I grinned. Joz merely shook his head in quiet despair.
“When Joz first told me and Mum that he’d met the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, I thought he must’ve had a bang to the head. My brother, the rock god, settling down? Never. But then I met Aspen, and it all made sense. Somehow, this amazing woman here has managed to turn my brother into a grown-up. Well, mostly. The jury is still out on that one.”
A smattering of laughter rose from the tables in front of us.
“Wrap it up, Erin, before I toss you in the lake.”
She chuckled, unfazed by his empty threat. “But what I do know is that when I settle down, I want the guy I choose to look at me the way Joz looks at Aspen. Because a love like that is a dream come true.” She raised her glass in the air. “Here’s to Aspen and Joz. May your marriage be filled with good coffee, incredible music, raucous laughter, and for Aspen to muster enough patience to survive my brother’s myriad bad habits.”
The guests erupted into applause and cheers, and raised their glasses, too.
By mutual consent, Joz and I swerved the traditional couples dance by encouraging everyone to get up with us, then leaving the dance floor when no one was looking.
“Great strategy.” London clapped Joz on the shoulder. “I’ll keep that one in mind for when I get married.”
“You?” I arched a brow. “It’ll be quite some woman who takes you on.”
“Rude.”
“But accurate,” Roman said, joining us. “Welcome to the family, Joz. A piece of advice, now you’re tied to a Kingcaid. Remember she is always right, even when she’s wrong.”
“You’re such an ass.”
“Oh, and one more thing. Don’t hurt her, otherwise you’ll have me and London to answer to.” He smiled. I rolled my eyes.
“Good God. Did you really just threaten my husband?”
Joz slipped an arm around my waist, his thumb brushing my hip. “You don’t have anything to worry about on that score. And on the advice, got it. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’m going to steal my wife away for a bit of me and her time.”
