“You both look so handsome. I love you so much.” I watched as she kissed and hugged Brody, her small frame dwarfed by his bulk. Afterward, she turned to me. “Come give me a hug.”
She put her arms around me, and I bent to kiss her. She stopped me and put a hand to my cheek. “I know how much you love Brody and how hard he loves you in return. Always be honest with each other. And don’t be afraid to lean on him. I love you like my own, but my greatest wish is to see you try and find your way back home again.”
“I love you too. And I promise to keep loving Brody with everything I have.”
Next, I hugged Roe, followed by Ezra. “I know I’ve made it difficult by not taking the big deals, but some things are more important than money.” Sunlight gleamed on my thin gold band. We’d decided not to get matching rings and to wear them on different hands so as not to call attention, in case people noticed.
“I get it. And I admire you, even if I could’ve made a nice juicy percentage off it.” His laughter was infectious, and I joined him, so damn happy, my heart hurt.
“Thank you for giving us this wedding and doing all you have for us. You’re way beyond merely my agent. You’re a good friend, and I appreciate everything.”
“You and Brody are a wonderful couple, and I know you’re going to be happy together. Maybe you’ll even bring home another Lombardi trophy.”
“That’s the plan, my man.” I hugged him again.
“Not so fast with that trophy, my dude. I might have somethin’ to say about that.”
A bright smile greeted me when I faced Vette, and we jumped each other. “Aw, man, it’s so damn good to see you.” I hugged Dora Lee. “And you’re still as pretty as ever. How’s the baby?”
She accepted my kiss on her cheek. “He’s great. Just started walking, and of course his first word wasDaddy.” She gazed up at Vette with adoring eyes. “Vette’s already got him a football and tiny cleats.”
“Never too young.” He took out his phone and showed me a picture of the four of them. Nicky held EJ’s hand, and Vette had his arm around Dora Lee. They’d gotten married two years earlier, and Brody and I, along with about half the team, had gone to the wedding. We’d decided to tell them because we wanted one friend to share the day with us, and since Vette had pretty much guessed on his own.
“Proud papa.”
“You know it.” He squeezed Dora Lee. “We want a houseful. Working on number three.”
Bright red, Dora Lee gasped. “Vette, stop.” She put her hands to her cheeks, and he swooped in and gave her a kiss.
“Aw, baby, this is Devil we’re talkin’ to. He knows what’s up.” He winked at me. “Even if he is playing for the other team.”
I groaned and shook my head. “Oh God, that was bad. But I’m really thrilled you could come and support us. I know family time is precious in the off-season.”
Dora Lee said, “Brody was always nice to me in high school and didn’t treat me bad like the other kids. And Ms. Faith was like a mother to me. I don’t forget.” She twirled the huge diamond on her hand. “I’m so grateful.”
“I love you, baby.” Vette hugged her tight. “You don’t ever have to worry about stuff like that. Not anymore. You’re my lady, and you deserve the best.”
“I’ve got that. You.”
It was bittersweet to see them so in love. On the one hand, I was happy for them and I knew how much they cared for each other. But it also made me recognize the big divide and how Brody and I had to create a sham life to be together. I sighed, knowing it was unfair, but that I couldn’t change things.
“What was that sound?” Brody slid his big arms around me, and my dark thoughts vanished. I leaned into his muscled chest.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
He chuckled. “No thinkin’ today. Only feeling. And I feel like giving my husband a kiss.”
I faced him and held onto his big, broad shoulders. “I like the sound of that. Husband. Even though I’ve always belonged to you, hearing those words makes it all so real.”
Brody kissed me, and Vette whooped it up in the background. I laughed, wishing it could always be like this—surrounded by friends, with the sun in our faces. The only person missing for me was Fallon, who’d gotten the flu and stayed home. His cousin Kelsie had stayed to take care of him. Brody’s PA, Lizzie, stood to the side, having flown in late last night. She was leaving early in the morning—she had exams she couldn’t miss—and Brody and I would have a small dinner for all three of them when we got back.
“What’s real is I’m starving.” Still holding on to Brody with one hand, I pointed at the long tables set up in the expansive patio area. “Let’s eat.”
Ezra and Roe had really outdone themselves with the wedding feast. Not because it was so elaborate, but because of the love and attention I could see had been put into every detail. One table held fresh seafood—crab legs, shrimp, poached salmon, and trays of caviar with all the accompaniments. Ezra’s housekeeper attended to the platters of prime rib and filet mignon, and the people who ran his West Coast office, Sunny and his wife, Angie, were there too, passing platters of mini hot dogs, meatballs, and assorted finger food. There was a gorgeous display of fresh fruit and cheeses, and a round table for the three-tiered wedding cake, along with another setup with every kind of cake, cookie, and pastry imaginable.
In order to keep the number of outsiders down, Ezra had used his own staff and had made them sign confidentiality agreements, plus Brody and I had given each person a substantial payment for working that day. Was it a bribe to keep quiet? Maybe so, but I put my faith in people’s innate goodness, as well as the money we gave them, to do the right thing.
We trusted our guests to take candid photos and videos, and there were plenty of cameras out when Brody and I smashed the cake in each other’s faces, then kissed off the buttercream. It was a perfect day, and at one point I pulled Brody aside for a moment to ourselves. Music had started playing from the backyard speakers, and Vette slow-danced with Dora Lee. I was anticipating our honeymoon. Ezra had loaned us the house in Newport Beach. It was private and had a view of the water, which was all that mattered to us. We planned to drive up tomorrow after brunch—and after making sure Ms. Faith got off okay—and stay there for the week. Ezra had reassured us that he’d lent the home to other high-profile clients who needed anonymity. All I wanted was sun, sleep, and Brody, not necessarily in that order.
