Placing her hands on my chest, she gave me a dazzling smile that beat the view. She was my sunset, and her glow would be one I would never forget.
Chapter 28
Nairie
I was a fiancée. And not just any fiancée but William’s fiancée. Seven-year-old Nairie would have a field day. When we got back from the Highlands, we were greeted by a crowd of our friends and family, including Elspeth, Aunt Lilit, and William’s old crew. I didn’t know it was possible to be this deliriously happy.
Elspeth squeezed me in a hug. “It’s about time.”
I showed off the ring. “Worth the wait.”
“Now we can officially be sisters!”
We squealed, and Aunt Lilit came to hug me next. “Let’s take a look at the rock.”
She whipped out a jeweler’s microscope from the pocket of her slacks and appraised the three-carat stone with a trail of twinkling sapphires on either side.
I laughed. “Do you just bring that everywhere you go?”
“Of course.”
She nodded in approval. “He did good. It’s almost as good as the painting you gave me.”
I beamed. My aunt had been moved to tears when I’d shown her the portrait of Rebecca. “Do Mom and Baba know?”
William slid in behind me and placed his hands on my hips. “That business trip I took last week was me flying out to ask for their blessing.”
I looked up at him in shock. “And they actually approved?”
William laughed. “It took some convincing, and Aunt Lilit helped grease the wheels.”
Lilit smacked her lips after downing her champagne. “Guilting your father is my favorite pastime.”
I laughed. “We should FaceTime them and plan a trip to see them.”
“Already on the books. I figured we could check out your mural at Venice Beach too,” he said.
I got on my toes to kiss him. “You just thought of everything, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
“You’re going to make the best husband.”
He smiled at me like I’d set the sun and moon. “I can’t wait, wife.”
Epilogue
Nairie
We decided to do our wedding at the inn with a small group of family and friends. My parents flew in with a few of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Narrowing the guest list down was a struggle. Some family members were upset they weren’t invited, but the best part about living abroad was that I was too far away to hear the snide remarks.
We only had one maid of honor and best man. Elspeth and Finn filled their roles perfectly—when they weren’t bickering. I’ve never seen Elspeth so annoyed by a man. She’d never mentioned him over the years. I definitely needed to investigate that as soon as possible.
Elspeth entered the room in a huff.
My parents were busy adjusting themselves in the mirrors, and I walked toward her. “Everything okay?”
Elspeth shifted the straps on her dress aggressively. “Why Will is friends with that deviant is beyond me.”
