Her expression went soft. “Thanks.”
Troy came next, then helped Sophie down. She glanced at the impromptu space at the edge of the intersection, right where the finish line had once been. Brek had checked the location and confirmed this was where she had handed Troy his water bottle.
“This is perfect.” She stepped beside Troy and took Buttercup’s leash. Buttercup tore at the collar of his mini tux with his teeth.
Velma popped open her umbrella and held it over Sophie. Brek did the same for Troy. The rain was light, but thank fuck Velma had thought to bring the damn things.
Dean and Jase, decked out in orange reflective vests, directed traffic around them, but many of the cars stopped. The drivers openly gawked. This led to honking, but Sophie and Troy didn’t seem to mind. Pops had already started the vows. Sophie slipped a plain gold band on Troy’s finger. Her fingers shook, but her words were strong as she repeated after Pops.
The photographer snapped photos. Brek glanced to Velma. She’d been totally caught up in the ceremony, but when he glanced her way, she turned her head to him and a slight smile tipped her lips. He couldn’t pull his gaze from her.
She gestured toward the ceremony and mouthed something about paying attention. He should probably listen, but he literally couldn’t take his eyes off her. Not when she’d managed to grab his heart and hang on tight without even realizing what she had done. His entire body tensed. She’d become everything to him. When the hell had that happened? He shook away the feeling.
A siren wailed in the distance. Brek gave the signal to Pops to wrap it up. Jase and Dean blocked the traffic completely so Eli could collect the cones. This resulted in quite a lot of honking and some jackoff calling Dean a multitude of names.
Pops got the message to get things done and pronounced the happy couple man and wife. They kissed. Brek switched into panic mode to get everyone back in the truck. The sound of sirens moved closer. He had about thirty seconds before everything fell apart.
Jase peeled the decals off the side of the van. Brek’s heart skipped as he helped Sophie inside. Troy followed with the dog, and they took their seats. Brek didn’t stop to let Velma climb up. He just lifted her at the waist and climbed in. Pops scrambled in behind them and Eli slammed the door shut.
“Everybody sit.” He adjusted the small train of Sophie’s dress. “Where’s Alan?”
He glanced around; his heart skipped uncontrollably. Alan hadn’t gotten in, and they’d already left. They couldn’t circle back for him or they’d get caught up with the police.
He held up the radio and pushed the button. “Dean, we’re down a photographer.”
The excruciating pause that came after had his heart thundering against his ribs.
“Got him,” Dean finally replied. “We were mid-evacuation when you radioed. He wanted to get some parting shots of the van driving away. We’re headed your direction now. Will meet up at Walgreens.”
Brek’s shoulders sagged. Thank. Fuck.
“That was crazy.” Velma settled on the bench beside him. “And super romantic.”
He caught her gaze in the dim, lit-by-flashlights glow. “Thanks again for the umbrellas.”
She gave him a wry smile. “No problem.”
“We make a good team,” he said.
If they weren’t being bounced around in the back of a bread van with her grandfather across the aisle, he would lay a kiss on her. Hell, if they were alone in the back of a bread van he would do a hell of a lot more than that. Instead, he squeezed her arm and relaxed against the metal siding.
Aspen would be over the moon that they’d gotten Sophie and Troy hitched. Next up, Claire and Dean, a big spread inRosette, and then he’d never have to plan another wedding again. His gaze slid back to Velma, and visions of blue garters and honeymoon lingerie swam in his vision.
Fuck it.Ifthey got that far with things, she’d have to deal with the wedding bullshit. He’d be in charge of showing up on time and the consummation afterward. Hopefully, directly after the ceremony—like in the limo on the way to the airport. But that wouldn’t happen. He had to get a grip and stop thinking about forever. He didn’t stay in one place long enough for forever.
A stretch limousine was waiting in the parking lot when they returned. He’d arranged for it to meet them at Walgreens and whisk Troy and Sophie off for their two-day honeymoon in the mountains.
“Brek?” Sophie asked.
He turned from where he’d started taking out the benches.
“Thank you. For today. I’ll talk to my mother. Troy and I both will. We’ll see what we can do to get her to halt her vendetta.”
He nodded. Maybe Sophie wasn’t so bad after all. “Appreciated.”
The happy newlyweds left, Velma and Dean went back to work, and Eli set to pulling off the rest of the vinyl pizzeria decals while Brek disassembled the benches he had added inside the van that morning. He rolled up his sleeves and wiped sweat from his forehead.
“I suppose now would be a good time to ask what your intentions are with my granddaughter.” Pops climbed into the back.
