I stand and pull her into my arms. Lifting the mic behind her back, I say, “Carry on, everyone.”
The crowd breaks into applause. Some people are laughing. Dustin shouts, “That’s how it’s done, people!”
I hand the mic back to the DJ and pull Carli into my arms.
At last.
Chapter 33
Cody
Family is not an important thing, it's everything.
~ Micheal J. Fox
Leaveit to my sister to stretch a wedding out as long as possible. The guests left late last night and the rest of us stayed to help the cleanup crew. Today, she and Westley have arranged for a brunch with the newlyweds for just our immediate family and the friends who traveled here on Westley’s behalf. He leaves in two days to go back to Iceland to finish the movie he’s directing, so I guess they have every right to as many wedding events as they want in the meantime.
I think I’ll want Carli alone after we’re married. Thankfully, I’m about to see her. The Buckners have been considered extended family for as long as I can remember, so they’re on their way over to join us for the newlywed’s family brunch.
Mrs. Buckner walks in first, holding a breakfast casserole with potholders.
“Lily!” Mom calls out. “Let me take that for you. I’m so glad you could make it.”
The two of them walk toward the kitchen as Dad greets Mr. Buckner with a handshake.
Mr. Buckner looks at me and then walks with Dad into the kitchen. I still need to talk with him. I’ve been so consumed with Jace and McKenna’s reactions and the wedding that I completely forgot to talk to Carli’s parents.
Carli walks in next and I stride toward her as if it’s been weeks, not hours since I last saw her.
Jace walks through the entry, stepping slightly in front of Carli and extending his arm in front of her like a mom does when she hits the brakes too hard. He acts as if his hand is there for me to shake, but it also serves as a checkpoint between countries. And I’m not sure I have a current passport.
Carli nudges Jace out of the way. "We got the message, Jace. You're not completely on board yet. Holster your arm for now."
Jace shrugs her off.
I take his hand as if all he wanted to do was shake mine—something I don’t ever remember us doing before. He shakes it with an extra potent squeeze.
I drop his hand, rubbing mine.
"I'll get there,” he promises, looking me in the eye. Then he adds, “Give me a year ... or ten."
Carli shakes her head. “Take all the time you need. We’ll be here—together.”
I pull her into a hug when Jace walks further into the room. She sinks into me and sighs. Then I speak to her in a voice that’s just between the two of us. “I tried to put myself in his position last night. I laid in bed thinking what it would be like to walk in on him and Mac.”
“And?” Carli asks.
“I’d be mad. Upset that he did it without talking to me—that he hid it. I’d feel betrayed. He needs time. We’ll give it to him. I think he’ll come around.”
She smiles softly at me. “You’re incredible, Cody Lawson.”
“I’m glad you think so. I want to be incredible for you.”
McKenna and Westley arrive. They slept in and look like they’re practically wearing halos with the way they’re glowing. His hand is on her back and she’s smiling warmly.
“Carli!” she shouts. The two of them hug and I step back.
We’ll figure out how to share her over time. For now, Mac gets first dibs.
