Page 13 of Merry Little Wedding

“I did. I told them I was in love with you. It wasn’t the whole truth but it was true.”

“You what?” His words break and warm my heart in tandem. “You can’t…you can’tlove me.”

He flips over onto his side, fingertips sweeping my hair off my cheek. “I know, it’s way too fuckin’ soon, Aurora. Yet somehow, I do. I love you.”

“Boone, I—” I love you too. The words die on my tongue as his cellphone rings. He ignores the call, but it goes off again.

He grumbles a coarse word, getting up out of bed in all of his divine, naked glory. I just stare, openly gawking at the beauty of his broad shoulders tapering down to a lean waist, chiseled abs, and that perfect V that practically yanks my gaze to the part of him that is still semi-hard, memorizing every inch of him.

I love you, too, I almostjustsaid. Crazy, I know. What do I really know about him? I know he’s loaded, not that it matters, but it’s fact. I know he makes a killer vodka cranberry, and the best orgasm face known to man.

I know he means it.

I’m jerked from my thoughts when I realize his responses are strained, breathless, shredded in a way I could never imagine coming out of this man.

“Boone?Boone.”

He’s getting dressed, too quickly. All of his movements are hurried, panicked.

“Boone! Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“No,” he answers, flatly, ending the call. He stuffs the phone into his pocket. “It’s Mom.”

And then he’s gone.

Six

Boone

My heart is jumping out of my skin. All I can think is no, no, no. I can’t lose Mom too.

No.

“She had a heart attack.” Misty is still in her wedding dress, delivering the news. I shoot her a look.Now do you see?the look says.Just like Dad, the look says.Is it fucking through your head now, sister?

“Please, don’t,” Misty is sobbing, her words coming out uncontrolled. Her eyes are desperate, tired and wet, pleading with mine. “I already know what you’re going to say. Please…pleasedon’t say it.”

My heart breaks into pieces. I pull her to me as we head into Mom’s hospital room. The heart attack hit her with the speed of a bullet, but she’s awake, stable.

She’s lucky as shit.

An hour ago I couldn’t wait for this hellish day to just end. Then I got my girl, and for thirty-some minutes, felt utter content for the first time in a long time. For the first time since Dad died. Then that feeling was ripped out from under me when I got the call about Mom.

But she’s alive. Thank—fuck. She’s going to be okay.If…

“Son,” Mom says weakly when she sees me come in. I sit next to her, take her hand in mine. When did her fingers ever feel so small? So fragile? “You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here, Mama.”

“Where’s your girl?”

Mygirl. I remember Aurora chasing me down the stairs. Launching herself into the back seat. Folding her arms over me. Staying like that the whole ride here.

“Thought she should give us a minute alone. Mama”—it’s my turn to be desperate and pleading—“tell me you fucking get it now. Tell me you realize you could’ve died like this, because Daddiddie—”

“Stop it!” Mom yelps. “I know. I know.” When I squeeze her hand, she squeezes back. I can feel her pulse. Thump. Thump. “It’s time,” Mom says, quietly. “I know it’s time to let go.” I watch her close her eyes tight, letting tears freely slide out. “I held on so tight because it was his. Because…” She pauses, and then, “You’re going to be getting married now, and Misty is going to have that baby—”

“Mama!” Misty shrieks from where she’s been keeping watch from the doorway. “We weren’t telling anyone yet.”

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