Page 114 of Maximum
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Nathan and Gabriel supporting Liam between them. After excusing myself, I hurried over to them. “What happened?”
“Nothing, Liam just overestimated how much he could drink.”
“Do you want me to help?”
“We’ve got it. We’ll just put him in his tent.”
In the invitation to our wedding we’d told all guests that they were welcome to bring caravans or tents if they wanted to stay the night, and more than half the guests had chosen to do so. I loved how our property looked like a vacation spot and that tomorrow we’d all be having a massive breakfast, sitting around and talking about the party.
“Liam, which tent is yours?” Nathan asked our friend, who could hardly walk.
“The round one,” he slurred and managed to lift his hand and point.
“Do you feel sick?” I asked Liam but he shook his head and looked at me with half lidded eyes.
“Nah, I’m just a wee bit tired. I only need a nap and then I’ll be back dancin’ with all the beautiful women.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, knowing full well that the moment he hit his sleeping bag, he’d be out for the night.
“Good night, buddy,” Gabriel said as Liam crawled into his tent.
Liam was too drunk to answer, but I made sure to zip his tent to avoid any mosquitos.
“I’ll check up on him before Serena and I go to bed,” Nathan said as we walked back to the party.
“Are you having a good time?” I asked Gabriel.
“Seriously, this is so cool. Cia has dragged me to every damn castle in this country and now I finally get to drink beers with some of the locals and meet this brother by another mother.” He patted Nathan’s shoulder and smiled at me. “I’m so happy you invited us.”
Nathan swung his arm around Gabriel’s neck. “G and I are talking about doing one of those survival trips in Alaska. He’s already been twice, and I’ve always wanted to go. We’re going to leave our wives back in civilization and venture into the wilderness. It’ll be epic.”
“Man, you’re gonna love it. Nature in Alaska is breathtaking,” Gabriel said and reciprocated Nathan’s embrace by wrapping his own arm around Nathan.
I smiled as the two made plans for their new friendship because I knew how much Nathan had been through and how Serena’s fame could be a little overwhelming to him. It was good to see Gabriel appreciate Nathan for himself and not because of whom he was married to.
The fact that they didn’t include me in their plans suited me fine. I had no interest in a week of survival among bears when I could stay here with Fleur on our cozy farm and make plans for our future.
“Why do you have such a satisfied smile on your face?” Fleur asked as she came toward me looking like an elf queen in her white dress.
“How could I not have a satisfied smile when I married my dream woman today?”
Her arms snaked around my waist as she leaned against me and we shared a kiss.
“I was just thinking about how I’ve traveled the world for so long, but it wasn’t until I met you that I found the feeling of home.”
“Aww.” Fleur’s smile was as angelic as when she was with her beloved animals. Leaning into me, she looked deep into my eyes. “I have a good feeling about this. I think we’re going to be very happy together.”
“You said that wrong,” I teased. “Wearehappy together.”
“Yes, you’re right. Wearehappy together.”
