Page 79 of Reckless Curves
Vincent nodded approvingly. “Now, I need to tell you something else and then I’ll quit being sappy. The second time you brought Connor to see me was the day that I started fighting to stay alive.
“I love all my grandkids, but I didn’t get to spend any time withhim. And I wanted to so bad. I also saw how miserable you were without Kendra and I wanted to be there for you, like I should’ve been when you were a teenager.”
Vincent took a deep breath. “After you left that day, I told Dr. Camden to pull out all the stops, to try whatever he could to get me well. I was going to live or die trying.”
Tom laughed at his wisecrack.
“I thought I was in hell, but it was worth it to me,” Vincent said. “The next thing I know, Dr. Camden said that we have to do the surgery now. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. I couldn’t believe that you agreed to give me a part of your liver.” He took Tom’s face in his hands. “You’re my hero, Tommy, and don’t you ever forget that. I love you.”
Tom said, “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it? Just okay?”
Tom hugged Vincent. “I’m glad you’re here, Dad. If you hadn’t fought so hard, the surgery would not have worked. I’m really happy that you’re getting better. I love you, too, Dad.”
“Wow. More than two syllables. That’s a record,” Vincent teased.
Tom let him go. “Shut up.”
Vincent chuckled and clapped Tom’s shoulder. “I’ll chat up that silver-haired fox I saw earlier.”
“You do that.” Tom smiled as his dad left the room and turned back to the mirror to study the tie. “Nope. Never gonna get it.”
* * *
“Tom’s won’t be able to keep his hands off you,” Stella said. “Fifty bucks says that you guys disappear halfway through the reception.”
Kendra laughed. “No, we won’t.” She cut a sly glance at Stella. “Or maybe we will. I’d much rather start our honeymoon early than stick around with all you degenerates.”
Stella pointed at her. “You’re lucky it’s your wedding day, or I’d smack you for that.”
Lexie, who sat in a chair in the ladies dressing room, said, “Now, now, girls. No cat fights on a wedding day. It’s bad luck. On second thought, go ahead, because luck doesn’t have anything to do with marriage.”
Stella said, “Sure it does. I’ve dodged that bullet so far. If that isn’t luck, I don’t know what is. Although seeing you and Tom together almost has me thinking I could try monogamy.”
Lexie snorted. “Don’t. You’re a smart girl. Been there, done that. Never going back again.”
Kendra said, “Hello. Getting married, here. Quit dissing marriage to the bride, okay?”
Lexie made a dismissive gesture. “Marriage is definitely for you, just not me.”
“Yeah, sure,” Kendra scoffed.
Lexie smiled and stood up. “I know because you’re getting a great guy. Tom might be rough around the edges and all, but he’s a good man. Patient, loyal, kind, and smart. And most of all, he loves you and Connor so much. I know you guys will be happy. Me—I always pick the assholes.”
Kendra felt bad for Lexie. “You never know, you might meet someone else. A guy who’s a lot better for you than Jason Colter ever was.”
Lexie smiled. “There ain’t no man good enough to ever get me to walk down the aisle again.”
Stella grinned. “You could just live together in sin. That sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll try it.”
Lexie considered that. “If he was the hottest guy in the world, maybe, but I don’t know anyone like that.”
“You just described, Marcus,” Stella said.
Lexie put up a hand and said, “Slow your roll, honey. No way would I ever get tangled up with him.”
Kendra frowned at her. “What’s so wrong with my brother?”
