But looking at them now, I realized how wrong I’d been.
This wasn’t diminished.
This was complete.
“Okay.” I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “I’m ready.”
Syn handed me a small bouquet I hadn’t even noticed she’d brought—white roses and baby’s breath, simple and perfect.
“Then let’s go get you married.”
And for the first time all day, the concrete in my chest dissolved into something lighter.
Something that felt a lot like joy.
CHAPTER 40
OWEN
The Elvis impersonatorbehind me adjusted his bedazzled white jumpsuit for the third time.
If someone had told me a year ago that this was how my wedding day would go, I would have laughed in their face. But standing here now, in this tiny chapel with its tacky velvet curtains and plastic flower arrangements, I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
“You good, man?”
I glanced at him standing beside me in his dark suit, his expression unreadable. We talked last night. It hadn’t been easy. There had been yelling. Some shoving. A lot of things were said that we both probably needed to say.
But we ended it with a handshake that turned into a hug, and when he asked if he could stand up here with me today, I almost lost it right there in the hotel lobby.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m good.”
“You sure? Because you look like you might pass out.”
“I’m not going to pass out.”
“You’re sweating.”
“It’s hot in here.”
“It’s sixty-five degrees.”
I wiped my palms on my pants for probably the hundredth time. “Okay, fine. I’m nervous. Happy?”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You should be nervous. You’re about to marry my sister.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Too late. Already reminded.” He paused, his expression sobering slightly. “But for what it’s worth? I’m glad it’s you.”
My throat went tight. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He clapped me on the shoulder, his grip firm. “You hurt her, though, and I’ll bury you in the desert. They’ll never find your body.”
“That’s fair.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know.” I met his eyes, letting him see the truth in mine. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making her happy, Jax. I promise.”
