Page 99 of Fierce Love
A car pulls up behind us, and Dalton Worthington and Sawyer are in it. Dalton hops out of the car and circles to open the door for Sawyer before the valet can get there.
“I hear he’s going to make her wife number three,” Gage says.
“Does Sawyer know that?” Nate asks, and I can hear an edge in his voice. He hasn’t said anything bad about Dalton, but Nate’s been reserved around him, as though he doesn’t quite feel comfortable with him. If I didn’t know Nate so well, I probably wouldn’t even have noticed.
“Maren does,” Ember says, “and she’s big mad.”
That elicits a chuckle from Nate. “For someone who’s on the cusp of getting remarried, she’s got big feelings about people who’ve been married more than once.”
“I mean,” Gage says with a little laugh, “you have to admit that having two divorces is a bit more than unlucky. I’mnevergetting divorced.”
“It does take the gloss out of the old adage that ‘you know when you know’ if you’ve ‘known’ two previous times,” Nate agrees.
“Sawyer told me,” I say, “that he’s driven and determined, and not everyone can handle someone like that.”
“As long as he’s not sacrificing her on the altar of his needs,” Nate says. “And, I don’t know… my dad and Alex have been trying to talk her into getting involved in the World Hockey League team coming to the island next year, and she keeps turning the job down, citing Dalton’s distaste for it.”
He’s not wrong to be cautious. In the few months since I’ve been back in Bellerive, there’s definitely been a change in Sawyer. She’s gone from fairly bubbly to more reserved and serious, which I thought was tied to Dalton’s increased political profile.
“Either way, I can’t see marriage being something Sawyer would rush into,” I say.
“Oh, that’s me. Guilty,” Gage says, partially raising his hand. “Very, very guilty on that one. To be fair, not all rush jobs are bad deals. I can’t complain about how it’s worked out.”
“You’d better not,” Ember says with a laugh. “I’m standing right here.” He loops his arm around her and kisses her temple.
Sawyer and Dalton have finished talking to a few other people who approached them as soon as they arrived. I’m surprised at how covered up Sawyer is for such a hot day, but she told me that Dalton’s vibe is sophisticated elegance. She certainly looks the part today in her high-neck pale-pink dress that covers her arms to the wrists. Her short dark hair is pulled back in a neat, low ponytail.
“Shall we?” Sawyer says, gesturing to the pathway that’ll lead through the hotel to the outdoor seating. Posey’s given me all the wedding details the last few weeks while we’ve been planning our company’s launch. I could probably walk someone through every aspect of the day ahead of us without hesitation.
Nate takes my hand, raising the back of it to his lips as we walk toward our seats. My stomach flutters at the contact. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time I spend with him—the smallest gesture still makes me swoon. Since Kinsley is at Ember and Gage’s place with Henry, Nova, and Michelle, the nanny, we’ll have the house to ourselves.
“I love you so much,” I whisper as we find our seats.
Nate presses a kiss to the side of my head and guides me into my spot beside Ember. Sawyer and Dalton file in behind us so he’s on the outside, able to stand up and talk to people as they find their seats.
The royals arrive and are seated near the front. Posey has told me that they’re like family since she and her sister were raised on the royal estate. With her sister married to one of the princes, I suppose they’re literal family now.
Soon everyone is settled, and the music begins to play for Posey to come down the aisle. When she emerges from the hotel, instead of looking at the bride, I focus on Brent. To me, the reaction of the groom is always the most telling for the success of a marriage. What’s his expression when he sees her?
The absolute contentment on Brent’s face is a good sign. No hint of nerves. No whiff of uncertainty. I’ve been around them a lot the last few weeks, and I’d have been surprised if there was, but I’m still relieved that what I saw before today is still there.
Posey is radiant as she walks past us in a gown that looks more princessy than I expected the first time she showed me a photo, gaze fixed on Brent. The rest of us are just decoration, really. The two of them probably could have gotten married in front of no one and been just as happy.
But Poseydoeslove a party. And decorating. So the big wedding makes sense, and maybe the fairy-tale dress does too.
As we listen to their vows, Nate keeps squeezing my hand, and a few times, he brushes a kiss along my shoulder and my temple. It’s funny how watching someone else get married can make you feel more connected to your own partner when what you’re watching justfeelsright.
On the dance floor, Nate and I are swaying to the music. I have my cheek pressed to his chest, and his lips are close to my ear while he whispers all the things he loves about me. Bourbon swirls around me in the air. Our favorite game in close quarters or in a dark room isall the ways that you’re the one for me.
His big hand is caressing my back, and I’ve never felt so safe or cared for. Every day, he sets the standard for this relationship higher, challenges me to rise to his level. Marriage and kids anda very long future stretch out before us, and instead of feeling anxious about any of it, I’m welcoming it with open arms. On a deep, soul level, we’re meant for each other. Maybe that hypothetical Nate made up the first night we met is true—our souls have known each other across multiple lifetimes.
“What do you say?” Nate asks, lacing his fingers with mine. “Head home?”
The party is in full swing, but as usual lately, the thought of being alone with Nate is much more appealing. Even in a room this crowded, we seem able to create our own bubble of happiness.
Part of me still can’t believe that we’ve ended up together. I keep waiting for an earthquake to hit and shake our newly poured foundation. But it really feels like we’re unshakeable now, that no matter what comes at us, we can tackle it together.
“Going home with you is my absolute most favorite thing,” I say, rising on my toes to give him a quick kiss.
