She seems to ponder my words. “I’m so glad he found you. He hasn’t been the same since he lost Mia and Evie. And when he left without saying goodbye, I was so worried. I’ve missed him terribly.”
I reach my arm across her shoulders and pull her in for a hug. “I know this has been hard on you. I’m so sorry. I promise, we’ll make time to see you and Justin more often. We can make that happen. We’re working on our house too. We have plenty of room for guests, and the Atlanta airport is less than an hour away.”
She nods. And then she says something that wrecks my heart, in a good way.
“Keri, I’m glad lightning struck twice for Adam. He, of all people, deserves it. He was happy for over a decade.Reallyhappy. Like, life-couldn’t-get-any-better happy. And then it was all brutally taken away from him in the worst possible way. Two years later, love found its way back to him… through you.”
I’m not sure how to respond and remain quiet. I watch Roxy sit up and wipe her eyes again. She clears her throat. “I’m glad that you’re here. You’re awesome, Keri. You really are.”
“I’m not all that.”
“Yes, you are.”
I stay quiet and give her my undivided attention.
“For the first time since the fires, I feel like Adam has a whole new life to look forward to. And that new life is because of you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Adam
“Come on, Babe. Let’s get you to bed.” Justin gently tugs Roxy’s hand, but she’s not budging.
“You go on. I want to talk to Adam about that thing we talked about earlier, okay?”
Adam interjects, “We’re all kind of worn out from today. Can’t it wait until tomorrow, Rox?”
“No. I’ll be too busy with the wedding, silly.”
Keri palms my shoulder. “Hear her out, Adam. I’ll wait up for you.”
I glance at Keri and Justin. They nod.
“Okay.” I wait until they’ve retreated to their bedrooms. “What’s up, Roxy? You’ve already asked me to walk you down the aisle, and we got that covered at the rehearsal. What can’t wait until tomorrow?”
She offers me a tired smile. “Do you remember the day you married Mia?”
I feel like I’ve been sucker punched and choke out a breath. The vivid memory is instant: Mia coming toward me down the rose-petaled aisle, wearing a white dress. The world stopped for a breathtaking moment as all the other guests faded away. I was stunned, a feeling of pure, overwhelming joy pulsing through my body…
“Yes? What are you getting at, Rox?”
“I was a bridesmaid at your wedding, remember?”
“I remember.” I swallow hard to keep my emotions at bay.
“I’ll never forget how you cried when she walked down the aisle and how emotional you were saying your vows. I thought it was kind of corny at first.”
I blink, thrown off, my face twisting with confusion. “Corny?”
“Yes. I’d never seen that side of you before. And I haven’t seen it since, until this weekend.”
I frown. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“You and Keri. It’s obvious how you feel about her. You’ve fallen in love with her.”
“Yes, I have,” I say without hesitation.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly happy for you. And for Keri. In fact, I had a realization that hit me over the head today.”
