Page 115 of Just My Luck

... And, really, that’s just my luck.

EPILOGUE

Abel

“You nervous?”Royal’s hand clamped over my shoulder as I shifted in my suit.

“Nah.”I was.

Royal’s laugh rang out. “You’re so full of shit.” He looked around as we stood just inside the brewery, looking out onto the sand dune cliffs where Sloane and I would be married.

The golden sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the sandy cliffs. We’d briefly discussed being married at a church or different venue, but Sloane had insisted she wanted to get married at the brewery.

“I’m happy for you.”

I shook my brother’s hand. “Thank you.”

Side by side, we watched as our guests took their seats. Chase’s mother, Rebecca, sat with her husband near the back. She smiled politely when I caught her eye, and I nodded with a pressed, heartfelt smile.

It amazed me how much could change in such a short amount of time. It wasn’t all that long ago that I was an outsider—shunned and whispered about. Feared for what I’d done.

All that had changed when Sloane blew into my life.

Duke Sullivan sat with my nephew on his lap. His brothers and their spouses sat around him. Over the past few months, I’d gotten to know Kate and Beckett Miller as they worked on the farmhouse. Construction was going well, and Sloane had invited them to dinner on several occasions. It pained me to admit that they weren’t all that bad.

I laughed and shook my head.

“What is it?” Royal asked.

“Just this.” I gestured toward the guests. “You think anyone would have believed Sullivans and Kings would be in the same room, but be practically family? It’s wild.”

He scoffed. “It is pretty fucked up.” His eyes narrowed. “I think I’ll toilet paper Lee’s truck to make up for it.”

I shook my head. “You are such a child.”

As we waited, I watched as Royal scanned the crowd. When his eyes fell on Veda Bauer, he smirked. She must have felt his attention on her, because when she looked over her shoulder, her stare could have frozen the depths of hell.

“Yikes,” I said. “What the hell did you do to her?”

Royal’s grin spread. “I don’t know... I don’t think she likes me.”

My face scrunched. “Why are you smiling like that?”

Royal’s shoulders bounced. “I kind of like them feisty.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Jesus. Do not mess with the one woman who’s helping us out of Dad’s mess. That woman looks like she would crush your balls and smile about it.”

I checked my watch and steadied my breathing. It was almost time.

Off to the side, Bug fussed with the bow on Tillie’s frilly, dusty rose dress. I caught her eye and winked at my daughter.

My daughter.

I had never envisioned myself as a father figure, but with Sloane by my side, I felt ready to embrace the role. Ben and Tillie made it easy.

Royal’s chin lifted as he smiled. “There he is.” He gestured for Ben to come closer. “Your best man looks pretty good, Abel.”

I placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder, and he smiled up at me. “He sure does. You ready, kid?”

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