Then Jessie takes his arm and we get ready for the procession.
For a second I find myself wondering what it would feel like to be looked at the way Rafe Black gazes at his wife.
But I already know.
Because I see Colton in the second row and…he’s looking at me the same way. Like he’d kill anyone who tries to come between us.
He’s changed into a beautifully-cut suit. His blue shirt is open at the collar and shows off a hint of his powerful chest.
It’s extremely connective to lock eyes with a man and know exactly what hefeelslike.
I still have bruises from the grip of his hands as he surged inside me.
I know what he tastes like when I swallow him in milky mouthfuls.
He looks so beautiful with his thick, breeze-blown hair and his fiery blue eyes.
I love him.
And I hate him.
Why does he have to go around breaking all those people’s hearts and earning himself titles like the freaking King of Heartbreak?
He shouldn’t be looking at me like he is right now. It’s Saturday. Our time is up. Okay, the marriage has complicatedthings but I’m sure he can figure out how to solve the problem easily enough. Solving problems is what he does best.
It’s probably jealousy holding him here. Some male conquest that means he can’t walk away until he’s proven a point.
I wish he’d spare me the agony.
I wish I’d realized that my period was actually due yesterday.
I wish he’d walk away before I’m too far gone to recover from him.
But it’s too late.
Way, way, way too late.
28
It’sa beautiful day in Malibu.
I’ve never seen Jessie so happy.
Jacob is waiting at the altar with his brothers. He has longish brown hair and he’s wearing black-rimmed glasses. He’s handsome in a slightly nerdy, wholesome way. He doesn’t look nervous, and he doesn’t look like he’s second-guessing anything. He seems grounded and stable and like there’s nowhere else he’d rather be. As he kisses my cheek, I can tell by the kindness in his brown eyes that Jessieisgoing to get her happily ever after.
I take my place beside Lexi and I can’t stop crying as Jessie walks down the aisle.
Rafe lifts Jessie’s veil and kisses her cheek. Jacob takes both her hands. Jacob and Jessie taketheir vows and exchange rings as they gaze into each other’s eyes. It’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen.
It doesn’t matter that they’ve only known each other for a short time, or that it’s a shotgun wedding and she’s—almost—beginning to show. True love doesn’t have a rulebook or a playbook. It looks a little different every time.
I think about how lucky her baby is, to have Jessie as a mom, and Jacob, with his kind eyes, as a dad. A dad who’s not going to walk out on them with no forwarding address.
And I think about what my mom told me all those years ago.
Your father had trouble written all over him, but he was so beautiful I went with it anyway. I fell so hard for your father I didn’t care that he would break my heart. I knew he wouldn’t stick around, but I didn’t regret a single minute of it. Because I’d never been so happy in all my life. And look at the gift he gave me, Lila Jade. He gave me you.
Lila Jade Danger Sunshine Bailey. I guess it has a certain ring to it.