“I know I acted real shitty to you right from the start, and I wanna say I’m sorry. I appreciate everything you did for Lucas, and I know now that he’s never gonna change. I tried to visit him, and all he did was call me useless and that I never did nothin’ for him. You did what you could. So thanks.” Carly rubbed his back.
“Proud of you, baby.”
Bailey sighed with what I knew was a mixture of relief and empathy. “I know it’s hard to give up on the people who should be there for you, but sometimes we have no choice. Trust me, I understand. You might think I grew up privileged, but I have real-world experience in dysfunctional families.” He took my hand and laced our fingers together. “We don’t always get the chance to choose our family. We’re lucky if we do.” Bailey raised his glass. “Here’s to being one of the lucky ones.”
I clinked my glass to his. “To us.”
Epilogue
One year later
Bailey
“How do I look?” I tweaked my tie and stood in front of the mirror. Keston came behind me and kissed my neck.
“Hot as fuck like always. You know I love you in a suit.”
“I’ve never been a godfather.”
Keston met my eyes in the full-length mirror. “Well, me neither, but Grady and Lauren said it’s like being there for all her special occasions, and if something happens to them, taking care of her.”
“God forbid. Imagine us with a little baby.”
His gaze turned inward. “There was a time I couldn’t have pictured myself being with a guy like you, yet here we are.”
I turned and put my arms around his neck. “Yeah. Here we are. A year in this apartment, and I’m happier than I ever thought possible.”
He kissed me. “Same. I guess it was silly to worry about leaving my old place and taking on such a huge expense.”
I cupped his cheek. “No. Not at all. You’ve had a tremendous amount of change in your life—Grady, Carlos dying, taking on abusiness on your own. I tell you all the time, I’m in awe of your resilience.”
“Speaking of change, Belinda and Jonas seem to be working out.”
“He’s been on his best behavior for sure.” Since having baby Connor, Belinda had settled down—no more late-night calls or erratic behavior. Jonas came home every night and was the model husband and father. “Do you think I’m wrong to still be on guard?”
The struggle between wanting to back me up yet trying to remain positive was written all over Keston’s face. “I think…at some point, you’re gonna have to let them live their lives. Belinda is happy, and Jonas is behaving. That’s what you want for her, right?”
“You’re right. Did anyone ever tell you how smart you are?” I kissed him, his lips softening under mine. “Level-headed, sexy, gorgeous, perfect…”
He held my face a moment before pushing me away. “You’re not playing fair,” he panted, his eyes hazy.
I grinned. “I’m not playing at all. I meant every word.” I patted his cheek. “Let’s get going. Don’t want to be late.” I started whistling “Get Me to the Church on Time.”
We entered St. Agatha’s Church, and Lauren’s sisters were waiting for us. We’d all had a great time partying at Grady and Lauren’s wedding, and I’d helped the family with their probate and real estate issues when their mother passed a month later.
Annabella ran toward us. “There they are. The godfathers.”
I snickered. “I’m just theconsigliere. Keston’s the boss.”
“Don’t you believe it,” he jumped in. “Bossy is his middle name.”
“They’re not talking about the bedroom,” I whispered in his ear, loving how he turned red.
“Don’t say that in front of women.” He yanked my hand, and I gave them a wink.
“Where are the proud parents?” I asked, craning my neck. There were some fifty people in the church already, seated in the pews.
“Grady and Lauren are waiting by the altar,” Dolores said. “Follow me.”
