I cleared my throat. “We all deserve the love that Christian and Penny have. We deserve to be swept off our feet, to know what it’s like to be accepted for who we are, flaws and all. Because look, Christian has flaws. He laughs way too loud. Likes dumb movies.” Everyone chuckled. “Wears horrible sweaters that are kind of offensive. Yet Penny loves him anyway.”
“Yeah, I do!” she shouted. She rested her head on his shoulder and beamed at me.
“Now, I need to be honest here as I talk about the people I love most in the world.”Shit.Nerves got me bad. My voice came out scratchy and throaty. This was my moment. “I have another Calhoun I need to talk about because, you see… I’m not just Christian’s best man. I’m also a man who is in love with the woman sitting next to him. His sister.”
The room buzzed, or maybe it was my mind. I could be blacking out. There had been few times I was this nervous, to the point my brain wasn’t getting oxygen. I inhaled, forcing myself to swallow, because oh my God. What if she hated this? What if she’s embarrassed? I didn’t know if she thought public proposals were cute or horrific. I never asked. It wasn’t on my list.
Everyone stared at me. All thirty of them. And Garrett. My throat closed up. Oh no no no. The tequila shot was about to come up.
“Keep talking. I’m listening!” Charlotte cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted. “Tell me how amazing I am.”
She was perfect. She knew I had frozen and helped bring me back.
Everyone laughed, and Christian nodded at me, giving me his approval. I glanced at Penny and found her smiling like a fool. The unspokenyou can do thishad me standing taller.
“My world changed when I met Charlotte. Her contagious smile, her infectious laughter, and her genuine kindness captivated me. She still finds shapes in the clouds and makes everyone around her better people. Our timing hasn’t lined up, but after some much-needed advice from my best friend, I realized we have to make our own timing.Christian and Penny taught me that. You fight for the life you want, especially if it’s hard. So, Charlotte. This is me fighting for you. I won’t stop. Gwen and I love you, want you in our lives, and I will use my adorable daughter to get you to forgive me.”
She smiled.
“I’m sorry for being afraid. I’m sorry for not trusting us. I want this to be us next year. I don’t care if you want to wear gingerbread costumes or dress up as wreaths or shatter snow globes as a party trick. I’ll do whatever you want, as long as you’ll have me back.”
People sniffed.
Charlotte’s eyes glistened as she blew out a long breath. I’d only felt this stress two other times. The state championship final where I was up to bat before the final out and the day Gwen showed up.
Christian leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She laughed. Then she stood, the sound of the chair scraping on the tile floor. It was like the whole room held its breath, everyone on pins and needles.
She ran her teeth over her bottom lip as she approached me, her pulse visibly racing at the base of her neck. I had tunnel vision. It was just her. Her smile, her eyes, her hair, the little sway of her hips, and the slight dimple on her left side. I gulped.
“How convenient there’s mistletoe here.” She jutted her chin toward the ceiling. “Think we should kiss?”
“Get over here.”
I tossed the mic to her uncle and yanked my woman against me and kissed her.
And she sure as hell kissed me back.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHARLOTTE
You are stunning,” I said, my voice cracking. Penny stood before me. Her wedding dress was perfect, and my eyes stung. “You are absolutely gorgeous.”
She sniffed and fanned her hands over her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m marrying him. It’s happening. We’re doing this.”
“You are.” I held her hands and squeezed. “You deserve the world, Pen. You’re it for each other. You got this.”
Her jaw trembled. “I’m insanely nervous even though it’s just Christian. He’s seen me at my best and worst, so it’s silly I’m shaking.”
“This is a huge day, so be nervous. Have your feelings and let them flow. Christian is going to be a blubbering mess.”
“No.” She laughed, sniffing. “He’ll hold it together while I’ll be a hot mess.”
“I assure you, he won’t. He’s going to see you, this dress and veil, and lose his mind. And you’d be a beautiful mess.” I nodded, like that point would make her understand. “Now, are you ready? Your dad is outside the door.”
She took another breath. “Yes.”
This was her moment, and I wouldn’t take a second from her, but my own nerves were going off like fireworks. Hayden and I didn’t get to talk last night, not with all the wedding events, his parents’ flight delays, and Penny’s pre-wedding plans with me. We left last night with the promise to talk after the wedding.
