“If Pierce gave up, where would we be? We wouldn’t have two beautiful daughters and be doing exactly what we want in life.” Charlotte stands, her heels clacking against the wooden porch. “All hope is not lost.”
I knock back another sip of scotch.
The ache in my chest right now feels pretty hopeless.
I love Layla. That’s all there is to it. Whether she loves me back or not is a different story. She has wounds in her past that might make even the most optimistic person wary. I’ve seen it with my mum. Jumping from one bad guy to another. When the right guy finally did come along, she didn’t trust herself to know he was the right guy until it was almost too late.
I don’t want that for Layla. She’s the strongest fucking person I know. Maybe this is just a bump in the road for her. Maybe she’ll come back swinging better than ever.
That’s all I want for her. I’ve seen her dream and how passionate she is about it. If she can get that back, that’s all that matters.
Even if it’s not with me at her side.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
LAYLA
“You look gorgeous.”
“You sure these aren’t too much?” Gemma pulls up her dress, showing off her cowboy boots.
Ivy shakes her head. “They’re perfect.”
“You look really pretty, Aunt Gemma,” Willow chimes in.
Gemma’s dress might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever created. The intricate, floral design wraps around her bust, dipping low—but not too low. Beads and pearls are sewn into the material, shimmering as she moves. The deep V in the back is sexy, giving way to an A-line skirt that hides her boots.
In short, she looks stunning.
“Blake won’t know what hit him.”
Gemma’s eyes get glassy and she turns to me. “Thank you for being by my side today. I know your life isn’t exactly rosy right now—”
Pulling her in for a hug, I cut off anything further. “There is no place else I’d be today. You’d have to fight me to keep me from standing up for you today.”
“Is it wrong to be nervous?” Gemma whispers so only I can hear. “Now that it’s finally here, I feel like I could burst into confetti or throw up.”
I laugh, giving her one more squeeze. “I’d be more worried if you weren’t nervous. But you and Blake might be one of the most annoyingly loving couples I’ve met.”
“Hey!” she protests. “That’s Ivy and Mason.” Her voice is loud enough that everyone can hear.
“What about us?” Ivy asks, straightening out Willow’s flower girl dress.
“Just how grossly in love you are.”
She shakes her head. “Nope, that’s you two for sure.”
“I agree with Aunt Gemma. You and Dad kiss. Like, a lot.” Willow makes a disgusted face.
“See if I sneak you an extra cupcake when your dad isn’t looking,” Ivy tells her.
“Aunt Gemma is the grossest!” Willow changes her tune immediately, causing all of us to burst out laughing.
Leave it to the eight-year-old to break any tension.
“Are you ready, girls?” Mom peeks her head inside the door. “Oh, sweetheart.”
Tears gather in her eyes.
