Page 29 of Forbidden Flame

I didn’t want him to know how much he affected me, because he did it without much effort.

Gia stood next to Abby. “This looks great, guys. Remember you’re not grumpy today, your favorite brother—”

“And cousin,” Cole interjected, the tenor of his voice reverberated through my body, zinging to my core.

Gia inclined her head. “Your brother and your cousin married the love of his life, and you’re welcoming Sarah and her amazing little girl into your family.”

“We love Sarah and Addy. We’re just not sure about Knox,” Heath teased, and Knox pushed him. It took a few seconds for everyone to get back into position but this time it felt more relaxed. Abby was good at her job, and I could tell they loved Sarah’s daughter, Addy.

“One, two, three,” Abby began and snapped a few pictures when a flash of white flew in front of us. It was Addy jumping in the middle of the group, getting everyone to smile and laugh.

“You were just photobombed,” Abby said with a smile as she looked through the lens. “That was actually perfect, Addy.”

Then she showed the screen to Gia. “That was adorable. It’s my favorite picture so far.”

Abby stepped out in front of the camera to address Addy. “This time, why don’t you stand in front of Knox and your mom?”

I loved that Abby was including her in this picture that was meant to show everyone’s love for each other. My heart ached at the idea of me being a part of this family. Knox and Sarah made me think that there was someone out there for me, who’d love not only me but my daughter too.

Chapter 7

Cole

I inhaled, getting a whiff of Daphne’s shampoo. She felt good in my arms. I hoped it took a long time to get the picture just right.

Knox placed a hand on Addy’s shoulder. I loved how she was just as much a part of this wedding as her mother.

There hadn’t been a dry eye in the audience when Knox included Addy in the ceremony. It made me wonder if I’d be able to accept a little girl if one came into my life like that. I knew Sarah was protective of Addy when she’d first started seeing Knox. I suspected Daphne was the same.

Knox decided to be friends with Sarah and Addy, and it evolved into something more. I wondered if that approach would work with Daphne. Unfortunately, our family feud might complicate any plan I formulated.

“That’s it, guys,” Gia said.

Abby grinned. “These turned out amazing. I can’t wait to show them to you,”

Would it be weird if I asked for a copy of that last picture? If I could get Abby to zoom in on just us and send me the image. The idea was crazy and reckless. If anyone saw it, I wasn’t sure what my cousins would think.

Daphne slipped out of my arms. “We’re moving to the reception.”

“Ride with me.”

She tipped her head to the side. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Look around. Everyone is paired off.” We’d been separated all day, the girls in the main house prepping for the wedding and the guys at the pond having one last beer.

Daphne’s shoulders lowered as she looked around and saw Emmett with his arm around Ireland, Heath holding Marley’s hand, and Addy walking hand-in-hand with Knox and Sarah. Abby walked behind catching a few candid shots of the new family.

Daphne sighed. “They’re so sweet together.”

“You want that for yourself?” I asked, my voice rough with emotion. The guys talk before the wedding, the ceremony itself, and then the pictures made me want what my cousins had.

Daphne rubbed her arms as if she was cold. “I’m not in the right place to meet anyone right now. I have my daughter, the business.”

I shrugged off my jacket and rested it on her shoulders. No one would think twice about me taking care of Daphne today. We were partners for the wedding, and everyone else was wrapped up in their significant others. “You don’t know if you don’t try.”

She held the lapels tight to her chest as we walked toward my truck. “There’s more than just that. You know that. It’s complicated.”

“Nothing easy is worth having. I have to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about you,” I said as I opened the passenger door and held out a hand to help her inside.

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