Page 123 of The Addendum

“Forever,” he murmured against my mouth. “You’re mine forever.”

“Yours,” I agreed.

* * *

On the way back to the winery, I turned in my seat. “Do they all know?”

He glanced quickly at me with a wink. “It’s the family. In the short time we were gone, it turned from a prom into an engagement party. Champagne is waiting.”

“Pretty sure of yourself,” I quipped.

“Yep.”

“Did you—” I swallowed, wondering why this question made me so nervous “—did you ask my dad first?”

Luc took my hand and kissed the ring that now resided on my finger. “I did. I asked his permission, and he informed me he couldn’t give it.”

“What?” I gasped.

“He said you didn’t need anyone’s permission to live your life and be happy. But he gave us his full blessing.”

“Oh.” Hearing that warmed my heart. Richard always knew the right thing to say.

Luc pulled into the parking lot, parking the car by the front door. “You ready to go and get the stuffing hugged out of you? Congratulated for choosing such an awesome guy to spend the rest of your life with?”

I leaned across the console and kissed him.

“Yes.”

He slid from the car, opening my door, tugging me from the passenger seat.

“Then let’s hit it.”

* * *

A short while into the future…

RICHARD

I straightened my tie, glancing in the mirror. My cowlick was acting up today, and I ran my fingers through my hair repeatedly, trying to tamp it down. I had no idea why I was feeling so nervous—I had done this before and knew my part. Walk her down the aisle, say a few words, then sit beside Katy.

But today felt different. As if I had finally finished a long walk and could rest.

The door opened, and Katy slipped out, smiling. She walked toward me, lovely in a green dress, her hair swept up. Her dress was longer than usual, but there was a slit on one side that showed off her shapely leg as she walked. I loved her legs.

I held out my hand. “You look stunning, sweetheart.”

She smiled. “Wait until you see Ashley, Richard. She is so beautiful, it’s beyond words.”

“Is she okay?”

“Nervous,” she replied, laughing lightly. “Worried Luc won’t show.”

I joined in her amusement. “He’s been champing at the bit all day. We could barely get him to eat or concentrate on the game. They’re both worrying over nothing.”

Being an honorary member of the family, Luc was included in our traditions. Because they were getting married in the winter, we couldn’t have our usual golf game, so instead, we spent the late afternoon and evening on a tour of all Luc and Reed’s preferred whiskey bars. It took two rented SUVs to drive us around, the route carefully planned by the two of them. They set up tastings in each one, as well as snacks, and somehow, miraculously, none of us overdid it. We were all happy and slightly tipsy, but no one got out of control. There was a lot of laughter, teasing, and at one place, karaoke, but it was all good fun. I doubted I would ever think of the song “It’s Raining Men” again without recalling Aiden, Van, Reid, Luc, and Reed onstage singing and dancing, with Hunter and Jaxson providing backup. I knew Maddox filmed it on his phone, and I had to remind him to send it to me. It would make great material to play at the next family gathering.

Luc had been relaxed and happy at his bachelor party. The girls had all enjoyed their traditional day at the spa. But this morning, Luc had been anxious, his nerves evident, making me grin.