Page 24 of Alpha Bear Accountant

There was no way he could argue with that.

17

NIAM

The day I’d been waiting for had finally arrived. It was my wedding day.

It was hard to believe that only a handful of months ago, I was cursing my brother for leaving us in the lurch and forcing me to leave my great life to come dig out the mess he made for our dad. I still thought he was a piece of shit because he’d cost my family a lot of money and a whole lot of stress.

My feelings for him would probably never change.

But I couldn't be sad for coming back to Oak Grove because here—where I was standing by the back door, looking out at our friends and my dad ready to watch me get married—this was exactly where I was meant to be.

It was already the most perfect day, and we hadn't even gotten to the part I was looking forward to the most—being mated.Finally.

The man who stole my heart was going to be mine in all ways, and I couldn’t wait.

My dad was talking with the justice of the peace who had come out to join us legally, but he kept looking back and pointing at the door. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to come out or not. That hadn’t been the plan, but this wedding was all about what he wanted. I’d do whatever made him happy. Because to me, the important part of this day was coming tonight.

"Hey." Todd startled me when he sidled up beside me.

"Hey, you're not supposed to be here." Not that I minded seeing him, it was more that I was surprised. I’d been so distracted watching my father, I hadn’t even seen him come in.

"Maybe.” He held a piece of mail in his hand. “But I want to give you your first wedding gift."

"I thought you were my wedding gift." I straightened out his tie and then stepped back. He looked so good all dressed up. And dressed down. And naked. Pretty much all the time.

"No, I think you’ll want this one." He pushed the envelope into my hand.

I took it and noticed it had already been torn open. When I saw the return address, I understood the urgency. It was from the IRS, and it wouldn’t be a present if it was bad news.

"We’re in the clear?" I nearly jumped up and down like a little kid.

"Yep. Everything's been straightened out. The IRS is happy. The bank is happy. Your vendors are happy. Best of all, your dad is happy and the business is safe—although, I think he’s too busy hitting on the justice of the peace to really savor the moment."

"Is that what's happening? Should we, like…wait a minute? Give him some time to work his mojo?" It was about time my father moved on. All I wanted was for him to be happy.

"I mean, if we have some time to burn…” He closed the small distance between us and waggled his eyebrows. “I can think of a few ways to occupy it." Todd brushed a kiss against my lips.

Obviously, we weren’t doing the whole “don’t see each other before the wedding thing.” Instead, this was a day all about us celebrating the love we had for each other. Being separated was the opposite of that.

"Hey, hurry up and get down there. You don’t want your groom thinking he was left at the altar. Or—music stand? I don’t know what you’d call it because we don’t have an actual altar, but you know what I mean," my dad shouted at me.

Todd gave my ass a playful smack. "Hear that? We better go. But hurry up and join me, okay? Those lips need my attention."

"They certainly do."

After Todd reached the justice, I stepped out onto the back porch.

It took a few seconds for my dad to realize I was there, and when he did, he raced back to my side. "Sorry, I was working on last-minute details."

I wove my arm through his. "Did those details include getting his phone number?"

He just smirked.

“Good for you, Dad. Please make sure he knows he’s invited to stick around for the party.

"I…I…” It was unusual to see my father so smitten. I was happy for him. “Ready to do this?"

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