Page 22 of Beautiful Rush
“I like drunk Keira,” Ava said as I giggled at something that must have been incredibly funny. “You look happy.”
“What’s not to be happy about?”
“Exactly,” she said. “You’re living your best life.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
“Absolutely,” she said with so much conviction I almost believed her.
We’d moved outside to the courtyard to cool off and catch our breath. Fairy lights twinkled like stars and orange blossoms scented the air. Killian had traipsed all over Florida in search of the orange blossom trees. The scent reminded him of Eden. He’d had them delivered for the wedding and now they bordered the brick walls of the courtyard. Another surprise for his bride. He had hand-picked them, smelling each one to make sure they were exactly right and that the blossoms would be at the peak of their scent when they arrived in New York. Connor and I had gone with him to the nursery and I’d marveled at how much care and attention Killian had put into the task. Connor hadn’t been surprised. He knew how exacting Killian could be. How far he’d go to show Eden that he loved her and paid attention to even the slightest detail.
We recapped the day, talking about the highlights, the funny moments and the touching ones. Connor’s best man speech had been epic, funny in parts but also poetic in a way that only Connor could be.
In a rare display of affection, Killian pulled his brother into a guy hug and gave him a few thumps on the back. “You did good,” Killian said, releasing him. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“It’s mutual,” Connor said.
They exchanged a smile and I could see their love and mutual respect, everything they’d gone through to reach this point bringing them closer.
I remembered back to the day that I’d seen them together for the first time, walking into the coffee shop side by side where I was waiting for them. It was hard to believe that it was only seven months ago. So much had happened in that time. But on that day, the first time I’d met Killian, I could tell he was nervous and that it was rare for him. All I remembered thinking was that I would be so proud to call these men my brothers. I prayed that they would accept me, find a place for me in their lives. If they had rejected me or cast me out of their lives, I would have been devastated.
As if reading my thoughts, Killian pulled me into a hug.
“Weddings bring out the best in you,” I joked.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing. Don’t get too used to it.”
I laughed and he gave me a little squeeze before he released me. The wedding celebration was winding down, the DJ playing the final song for the night but their life together as husband and wife was just beginning.
“We should go say goodbye to everyone,” Eden said. The music had stopped, and the guests were milling around inside, gathering up their belongings. Killian groaned, and she elbowed him in the ribs causing him to scowl and her to laugh.
“Looks like the honeymoon’s over,” Ava joked, holding a forkful of cake in front of Connor’s mouth. He pressed his lips together and shook his head, obstinately refusing it. She sighed and ate the cake herself.
“The honeymoon has just begun,” Eden said, winking at us over her shoulder as she dragged a reluctant Killian back inside to mingle and say their goodbyes.
Ava and I gathered up our belongings from the table, said our goodbyes, and made Eden and Killian promise to FaceTime us from Greece. “It’s our honeymoon,” Killian scoffed. “We’ve got better things to do than FaceTime you.”
“Yeah? Like what?” Ava said, giving him a little slug on the shoulder.
“Hitting up all the sites on that itinerary you made them,” Connor said.
Killian snorted. “We’re not even going to look at the itinerary.”
Ava planted her hands on her hips. “Hey. I put a lot of time and effort into that.”
“Babe,” Connor said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “When we take our California road trip, we will not be using an itinerary. You, me and Mustang Sally on the open road.”
“Hitting up all the diners, drive-throughs and fleabag motels.”
“Living the dream,” Connor said.
“I could just maybe…do a little research. Make a spreadsheet.” Ava’s eyes lit up at the prospect.
“No spreadsheets. We’re going wherever the road takes us.”
“With us, that could be anywhere. We might not even make it to the West Coast, Rocket Man.”
“Ava Blue, why do you continue to doubt me?”
