Page 191 of Mended Hearts

“Don’t let me fall,” I breathed, trying to steady myself.

“Never,” Dad assured, though when I looked up at him, I found misty eyes and a wobbling chin.

“Daddy,” I scolded.

“Shut up,” he blubbered, blinking skyward and wiping at his eyes.

“If you cry, I’m gonna cry. And then Kaia will kill us both.”

He gave a watery laugh and nodded. “Can’t have that.”

“No,” I agreed. The music changed when Tillie reached the end of the aisle, throwing her arms around her daddy’s waist where he stood facing the ocean.

“I don’t think I could do this if he was anyone less worthy, Leighton. Ollie is a blessing to this family, and still… it’s agonizing to officially let you go.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Counting on it.” We reached the end of the aisle, and everyone stood as Ollie’s favorite string quartet began playingSomebody to Love,just like that night on the rooftop.

Hundreds of eyes landed on me, faces capturing every emotion on the spectrum. But it was Greyson tapping my groom on the shoulder that held my attention. The man had an evil smile on his face that made my stomach turn—but it was Ollie who finally sent it plummeting.

Because the man took one look at me and his face crumpled, his hand rising to cover his jaw as tears poured down his cheeks.

Aaaand there went my makeup.

The moment I locked on Ollie’s teary gaze, my own tears spilled over, and I fought to suck them back in.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I was fully aware that the road ahead wouldn’t be smooth either—how could it be? We were only human. But what I knew, with no doubt at all, was that it was worth it. Every bump in the road. Every scar. Every moment.

Trying pitifully to suck the snot back into my face—along with the emotions—I looked to the flowers in my other hand.

A stunning arrangement of asters, morning glories, and ranunculus blossoms wrapped in a soft blue ribbon, cute little butterfly clips tucked among the branches. Tillie and I had found them in a darling antique store, and she’d insisted they were a part of the day.

Our girl had great taste—what could I say?

By the time my dad presented me to Ollie, I’d gotten the tears mostly under control. My man tried to do the same, dabbing at his eyes with his silky blue pocket square. He accepted my hand and bowed low at the waist, pressing a kiss to my fingers without dropping his glassy gaze from mine, drawing a sob from my chest before I could stop it. When he straightened, Ollie pressed a kiss to my cheek, then turned to face the minister, sliding his hand into mine.

And my god, this bouquet was heavy as shit. And not just because I’d hidden something extra inside it.

As the officiant led us through the ceremony and we exchanged rings and vows, my eyes kept flicking between the ocean and Ollie’s face—where he brimmed with unfiltered joy.

When we were finally pronouncedThe Harts, he stepped into my space, robbing the breath from my lungs like he always did. He dipped me low enough to earn whoops and cheers, kissing me so passionately I was pretty sure I traveled through galaxies before landing back in my body.

But as we straightened, his expression faltered.

Because Jax was approaching the platform, scowl in place.

It took everything I had not to burst out laughing when I spotted Beau and Tillie in the front row, now wearing aviator-style sunglasses. Hell, Mama had somehow managed to wrestle a pair onto Beckham in his tiny baby suit and bow tie.

“Mr. Hart, a call for you,” Jax said with an impressively stony façade.

“Rightnow? Are you kidding me?” Ollie growled, earning a disapproving nod from the mountain of a man I’d grown rather fond of.

Captain Reynolds handed him a phone, already on speaker, and my husband—holy shit,my husband—cocked his head to the side as the line crackled, audible to at least the first few rows of spectators.

“Good luck,” rasped Maverick with an impressive growl.

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