Page 43 of Love Shots

“Wow, sis”—he let out a heavy breath—“shit. You look ... fuck.”

“You always did have a way with words, bro.” Ivy shoved his shoulder, a wide smile pulling at her lips.

He needed to pull himself together. Tell his sister she looked unreal. Stunning. Beautiful. But his throat had tightened to the point of pain. It hit him then, hard. Their family was growing. For the first time. Ever. All they’d known was loss. All they’d had for so long was each other. But no more. Today their tiny family unit of two would expand. Not just to include Ace, but to include his family too.

“Hey.” Ivy’s smile wavered as she lay a hand on his chest. “You okay?”

He tried to cough through the tightness and ignored the mist clouding his vision. “Yeah. You look fucking amazing, sis. Goddamn stunning.”

Teddy glanced down at the simple, strapless white dress that hugged her small frame and flared out when it reached her knees. Her crystal-encrusted heels had given her enough height that her face now reached his shoulders, offering him a clear view of her perfectly applied makeup. All made up she should look different. A world away from his tomboy sister who lived in mud-stained jeans and boots. But she didn’t. She still managed to look like herself. She even wore her signature braid. Well, a much fancier version of it.

“Only you could curse in your compliments, Teddy.” A light laugh escaped as she ran her hands self-consciously over her dress.

He tugged one of her hands off the pristine fabric and encompassed it with his own. “Seriously, Ivy. You look beautiful. Ace is gonna lose his mind.” Teddy watched as she sucked in a breath. No doubt trying to reign in the same emotions he was also battling with. “It really is an honor to walk you down the aisle. I’m so proud of you.”

She fell into his arms then. Teddy’s hands gently encircled her, ensuring his hold wasn’t too tight. He was all too aware of the fact that she needed to keep her hair, makeup, and outfit intact.

“I wish they were here,” she mumbled into his suit. He didn’t need her to clarify who she was talking about.

“They are, darlin’, I know it. They’re up there looking down on us. I can hear Mom now, screaming down at me, telling me not to let you cry and ruin your makeup. And Dad, well, he’s trying to get me to hurl a few threats Ace’s way. Something along the lines of ... ‘You hurt her, you die.’”

He heard a watery laugh as she squeezed him tight. “I love you, Teddy.”

“Love you too, sis.”

He kept hold of her. Silence falling between the two of them as they attempted to fight back tears.

Eventually, Ivy pulled away. Her smile firmly back in place. “Let’s do this.”

Holding out his arm, he waited for her to grasp onto him, and then led the way.

Once they were outside, his own grin stretched as wide as it could go. Summer really had done an amazing job of making this wedding special. Chairs stood on either side of the makeshift aisle. Each had a white covering and was completed with a blue silk bow. Blue hydrangeas lined the path toward the stage where Ace stood, still facing the officiant.

As they took their place at the edge of the white carpet runner, Ivy’s hand trembled against Teddy’s forearm. Placing a hand over it, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “That man loves you more than life itself. You’ve got this, sis. Let’s get you hitched, huh?”

Looking up at him with wide eyes, she gave him a single nod. He gave his own nod to the officiant. All at once, guests rose, music began to play, and Ace turned around.

As they walked down the aisle, Teddy’s gaze was glued to his soon-to-be brother-in-law, who looked positively awestruck. The closer they got, the heavier the rise and fall of Ace’s chest. And the mistier both their eyes became. Teddy may be giving his sister away, but he was leaving her in good hands.

***

“Have I told you how sexy you look in a suit?” Summer’s hands slipped under his jacket and rested on his chest.

They’d danced through at least four songs, reluctant to let each other go.

“Have I told you how hot you look in this sexy silk dress?” Teddy countered, his hands skimming down until they met the curve of her ass.

Thanks to his amazing girlfriend, his sister’s wedding had gone off without a hitch. They were now all enjoying the dinner and dancing portion of the evening. With many guests still milling by the buffet tables while others, including the bride and groom, swayed on the dancefloor.

“Wait until you see what I’m wearing under it.”

He jerked and drew back just enough to get a good look at her sultry smile. “Baby.” He groaned. “You trying to kill me here?”

Dragging him closer, she tugged his head forward until her lips brushed his ear. “I’m not wearing any panties.”

Lord have mercy on me.

“Summer, I swear to God, you’re gonna pay for that.” He pulled back to see his warning had only made her smile wider. “You think you’re funny, huh?”

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