“I love you both so much. Congratulations!”
The guests break out into applause and then Dilynne passes me the mic. “Your turn, Rhonan. Good luck.”
I take my spot up at the front of the table and dart my eyes around, only to land on the two most important people in my life.
“Go, Daddy!” Ellis shouts, making everyone laugh once more.
Clearing my throat, I think back to what I wanted to say. “When I first found out about Fletcher and my sister, you could say I wasn’t exactly thrilled.” Everyone chuckles. “But when Laney explained their connection, I understood. It’s rare in life to find someone you can lean on when times get tough. Life is going to test you, but with the right person by your side, you know you’ll make it through.” I swallow roughly. “I wish that Mom were here to see your love for one another. She would be happier than anyone else for the two of you.”
“I love you,” Laney murmurs just loud enough for me to hear.
“But what I want you to know is that the two of you have given me hope that everyone can get a second chance at happiness, and that’s what I hope you build together—a life that may not be perfect but is full of love and contentment.” I raise my glass in the air. “To Laney and Fletcher!”
“To Laney and Fletcher!” All of the guests repeat my toast and then my sister and her new husband share their first dance. When my dad and Laney share their dance, all I can think about is that one day, that will be me and Ellis.
My chest grows tight as I grab her and twirl her in my arms on the side of the dance floor. Once the DJ starts playing dance music for the rest of the night, I finally get a chance to find Vienna in the crowd alone as she brings a flute of champagne to her lips. “Hey, beautiful.” I kiss her collarbone exposed by the off-the-shoulder cut of her sky-blue dress that highlights every one of her curves and breathe her in, letting peace wash over me.
“Right back at you, handsome.” She spins to face me and wastes no time pressing her mouth to mine. “Mmm, that was nice.”
“Enjoy nice me right now because later? I plan for us both to be really fucking naughty.”
She shivers in my arms and then holds out her hand to me, lifting her pinky. “Pinky promise?”
I hook my pinky with hers and we seal the deal. She drains her glass of champagne and says, “Dance with me.” It’s more of a command than a question, but Vienna doesn’t falter as she sets her empty glass down on a nearby table. She lets me take her hand in mine, and then I guide her to the dance floor, enveloping her in my arms as we sway to the slow song.
“This wedding is gorgeous,” she says. “It reminds me of what mine looked like, only I know that this marriage will have a happy ending.”
“I know my mom is happy that Laney chose to get married here. She’d have been thrilled. This was one of her main goals for the winery.”
“Your speech made me cry, especially when you mentioned her.” Vienna runs her nails through my hair on the side of my head. “I can only hope that she’s smiling down at you and your family today.”
“Would you ever consider getting married again?” I ask, nervous to know the answer but confident that I might.
Her eyes meet mine with no hesitation. “With the right person, yes. Would you?”
“With the right person,” I echo her sentiment before clearing my throat. “Look, there’s, uh…something I need to say to you.”
She inhales deeply and then blows it out. “There’s something I need to tell you too.” A pinch in her brow develops, but I don’t want to waste another second without letting this woman know how I feel about her.
“Can I go first?”
“Sure.”
Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for everything I need to say. Stroking the side of her face, I bounce my eyes back and forth between hers. “I’ve fallen for you, Vienna.” I can hear the sharp intake of her breath, but I keep going. “The moment I picked you up from the ground in that bar, you’ve had my attention. But the truth is,you’rethe one who’s pickedmeup. You’ve helped me see through the clouds and find the rainbows. It’s time that I surrender to this thing between us and give us a shot at a future, and the only person I want to try again with isyou.”
“Rhonan…” Her eyes are filled with unshed tears.
“I can see a life with you. And I know we have things to conquer first and so much to still learn about each other, but I’m in this, Vienna.” I lift her hand to my lips, kissing the top of it and then the inside of her wrist. “It’s you and me, baby. And Ellis, if you’ll have us. Just tell me that you want this too…”
She swallows roughly as a slow smile spreads across her lips. “God, I do. I want that too.”
“Thank fuck,” I breathe out as I rest my forehead against hers. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
“But Rhonan…”
I lift my head. “Yeah.” Then it clicks. “Oh yeah, you had something you wanted to tell me?”
She nods, biting her bottom lip nervously. “Yes. I just… Shit, this isn’t where I wanted to tell you this.”
