Page 59 of One Hot Deal

She sucks in a ragged breath, and her eyes are glistening even more.

"Don't cry," I say."It'll ruin your makeup, and Kate will murder me for that."

"It's waterproof makeup."She grips my hands more firmly."We've never been the kind of family who gush all the time, but I need to tell you this now.I love you, Derek, love you so much."

Tears pool in my eyes, and though I try to swipe them away, new ones form in their place."I love you too, Avery.You found your soul mate, and I'm looking forward to playing with all those little half-British babies you're going to have."

She laughs even while crying and throws her arms around me.For a moment, we just hold on to each other and let the tears flow.Then we pull away and dry our eyes.Avery's makeup really is waterproof, so she doesn't have any streaks on her face.Her eyes are a little red, but that will go away by the time she reaches the altar.

I kiss her cheek and escort her into the foyer, where the matron of honor and the other bridesmaids wait for her.I trot out of the house, but I don't make a beeline for the altar.I'll take my place beside Callum later.First, I need to walk the bride down the aisle.That means I stop just outside the door and wait for Avery.

The rest of the groom's party has already joined Hugh at the altar.His cousin Rupert fills out the groom's side, while the bride's side will include Kate and two others—Maddie and Rika, the wives of Richard Hunter and Dane Dixon.In the crowd, I see rows and rows of Brits and Scots and Americans who have known Avery for three months but treat her like a member of their collective family.They've treated me that way too, and their generosity never ceases to amaze me.

The music starts up, and everyone turns to watch the bridesmaids march up the aisle.I step aside to make room for them, then move into position.Once those ladies have reached their posts, the music shifts to the bridal march.

My sister steps up beside me and hooks her arm around mine.Then we stroll up the aisle together.I get a pang in my chest, but it's not painful or unpleasant.Never thought I'd see the day my workaholic sister settled down and really started to live her life.But here she is, walking up to the altar to pledge her heart to the love of her life.

As we reach the altar, I kiss her cheek and whisper, "You found a good one, and Hugh's one lucky bastard."

I wink, then take my position beside Callum.

Somehow I keep my cool while she steps up beside Hugh, and while the minister does his thing and the bride and groom exchange their vows.But when Hugh kisses Avery, and the crowd erupts in cheers, the emotions of this day finally hit me—and I get choked up.

The minister announces, "It is my great pleasure to introduce Lord and Lady Sommerleigh."

Avery tosses the bouquet.

Diana catches it.But I don't think she meant to do that.It seemed like a reflex, and she looked stunned when she realized she was holding the flowers.

Would I want to marry Diana?It's too soon for that, but I already know the answer.Yes, I would marry her.No woman on earth has ever made me feel as good as Diana Sangster does.Avery suggested Diana might be my soul mate, but I'd brushed that off as romantic nonsense.Now, as I watch Hugh and Avery hurrying back down the aisle while grinning and laughing, I realize I want that nonsense to be true.

Once the newlyweds have gone into the house, I weave through the crowd to find Diana and Pippa.We're part of the group that will see the newlyweds off, as they head to a super swanky hotel in London for their wedding night.Then they'll be off to a private island in the Caribbean, where a famous and reclusive author lives.Richard Hunter has become friends with Sir Dexter Armstrong-Hill, so he had no trouble convincing the man to let Hugh and Avery honeymoon on his island.He loves guests, as long as Richard has vouched for them.

But Hugh and Avery won't take off until they've spent some time at the reception.That event takes place in the garden and spills out onto the front lawn.

I dance with every woman in attendance, I think.But my sister gets first dibs, after she and Hugh enjoy their first dance as a married couple.Once we're on the floor, spinning slowly, I smirk and ask her, "So, is that moratorium on harassing Hugh still in effect?You said don't do that before or during the wedding, but this is the reception."

She throws her head back and laughs.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Diana

I've danced with so many men tonight that I have trouble remembering the names of most of them.I'd met these gents over the past few days.That didn't allow much time for memorizing names and the faces attached to them.I've enjoyed every moment, particularly when I danced with Rupert and Callum, but I still haven't gotten the chance to take a spin with Derek.Not that I blame the other women in attendance for monopolizing his time.Derek Hahn is attractive, sexy, and personable.

Every woman who spends a few minutes in his arms winds up laughing so loudly that I can hear it from the other side of the dance floor.This is an outdoor event, so the "floor" consists of tiles raised slightly above the grass beneath them.

My partner at the moment is Bennett Montague, a member of the Mithorian royal family.I can't deny I'm intrigued by what I've heard about him, and since I am never shy about asking questions, I "grill" him, as Derek would say.

"Are you still a royal?"I ask."Someone mentioned that you abdicated your role as crown prince."

"I'm still royal.But yes, I gave up the crown.My sister Stephanie loves all that royal rubbish, so now she is the crown princess."He executes an impressive series of steps to keep us from tripping off the edge of the dance floor."My family understood why I needed to go my own way, and they've been very supportive.So have my mates."

"You must've had a long flight to get here from Mithoria.It's in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, isn't it?"

"That's right.But Sam and I don't live there.I think you met my wife Samantha earlier.We visit Mithoria several times a year, but our home is in Cockshire."

My brows lift."I've never heard of Cockshire."

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