“Pfft, he’d probably be up for it. I’m sure there are tons of IT jobs here.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. “And I couldn’t leave you all alone to deal with both Nate and Drew all the time.”
“They are a handful.”
“We need to find Drew a girl.” She pulled at one of the tangles in her hair, trying to smooth it.
I nodded. “I want him to be happy, too. He’s a great guy.”
She pushed her arms out and stretched. “Maybe when we get back, we can convince him to go onto one of those online dating sites.”
“We might be able to talk him into it.”
“Especially now that you’re off the market.” She bumped me.
I shook my head. “We tried once. It didn’t work.”
She looked over the balcony down to the pool. “I know, and he does as well. Took his hardheaded ass long enough to see it, but he agrees with me.”
I turned to her. “Agrees with what?”
She put her arm around me. “There is no better man for you than Nate, even with all the shit that surrounds him.”
I sighed, smiling as I stared out. “I never knew I could feel like this. That I could love like this or be loved.”
“You’re a whole different person than you were six years ago when we met.”
“He’s everything to me. I can’t live without him.”
She was silent for a moment. “We’ll make sure that never happens. Because guess what?” I looked at her. “I can’t live without you.”
I threw my arms around her. “I love you.”
She chuckled. “I love you, too.” She pulled back. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast.”
I smirked at her and waved toward her head. “You are going to do something about that, right?”
She stuck her tongue out at me and headed inside. “I’ll throw it up in a bun for now and get a shower when we get back.”
I rifled through my bag for some shorts and a T-shirt. “Hey, I know I didn’t go with the whole wedding party or anything, but you know you’re my maid of honor, no matter what.”
She snorted. “After all the heavy lifting I did when we were dress shopping, you bet your ass I better be!”
CHAPTER 7
I stood in front of a mirror, all alone, staring at a vision that wasn’t the normal me. My hair was done in a low, loose bun with a white rose and some baby’s breath. There was no more makeup than I usually had on, but combined with the dress and my hair, I looked foreign to myself.
Five minutes after Caroline ushered Teresa out, the anxiety was intensifying. My mind couldn’t get over the fact that it was really happening. I had to be dreaming.
“They’re ready for you,” Marie said as she held out a bouquet of white roses.
I wrapped my fingers around the base, then took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. She drew back the curtain, and I stepped out onto the sand. My arms shook out the tension that was building before I took another step. After all, what did I have to be nervous about? I was getting married, and I was happy.
We made it.
Against all odds and every obstacle we encountered, Nathan and I were going to be a family in a few short moments. There were more trials ahead of us, but we would face them—together. We were strongest that way, barely functioning apart. It was a lesson we learned all too well.
Everyone in the office knew I was Nathan’s and he was mine, and today we sealed it. Out on a sandy beach in the Caribbean with the friends and family that could make the journey with us, we would say “I do.” The belief still eluded me that at the end of the day I would no longer be Delilah Palmer. Instead, I would be Delilah Thorne—wife to the office god.
I made my way down the sand with butterflies in my stomach, the light fabric of my dress fluttering in the breeze. Every squashed Cinderella dream or princess fantasy I’d imagined as a child, about marrying a prince that would take me away from the evil, was steps away. He was waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He was damaged, but so was I, and together we were one soul, one heart.
My step faltered, and I was afraid I would fall, but I regained my balance. I turned the corner and moved my gaze up to where I knew he stood. My heart skipped a beat, and the warmth only he could give spread through me. Our eyes locked, and I could feel everything he felt in that moment. It was love. It was home.
With Nathan, I was finally home.
It felt like my chest was going to explode from everything I felt. I wanted to break down crying in joy, overwhelmed with a happiness I’d never experienced.
“Hi,” he said, smiling at me when I reached him.
“Hi.” I handed my bouquet to Caroline and took his hand.
The officiant began, but I hardly heard a word because my eyes were concentrating on Nathan’s. Nothing could tear me away from his gaze—we were caught in our own little bubble.
I was lost in him as I recited the standard vows—in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do us part. He already knew all of that, as I’d long ago pledged all of that to him. When it was his turn, I caught the panic that flashed across his face when he spoke about death.
If I could help it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he died before me. The thought of him in despair as he watched another woman he loved die was gut-wrenching. I didn’t want him to feel that pain again.
“I do,” he said in closing, a waver of emotion in his voice.
I didn’t wait for the officiant to pronounce us before launching myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him as hard as I could. Laughter was heard from the crowd behind us.
“Well, I guess I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!” the officiant said, snickering with everyone else.
I pulled back, heat flooding my face as I looked at her. “Sorry.”
Nathan chuckled and pulled me closer. “Can I kiss my bride?”
“Please.”
His lips met mine, soft but with an intensity that zinged through me.
My husband.
Following the ceremony was a whirlwind of photographs and congratulations that left my head spinning. I was happy when we all sat down to dinner in a secluded area of the resort. It was beachfront, but with bushes and trees on the sides for privacy.
Since our party was so small, we were all able to fit at one long banquet table. There were small tables set up around us for mingling.
As dinner was served, Teresa tapped her fork against her champagne glass to gain everyone’s attention.
“I just wanted to say a few words about mi niña Lila. From the moment she stepped into our home, I knew it would take a strong, unrelenting man to gain her heart. I’m so happy to see her finally get the love she deserves.” Teresa blew a kiss at Nathan. “And I’m incredibly happy that I could be here to see it.”
I blew her a kiss and reached across the table to take her hand. “Thank you for showing me kindness and love.”
A tear fell from her eye as she patted my hand. “You are so welcome. And thank you, Nathan, for making her happy.”
Nathan smiled at her and looked at me. “She makes me happy. I’m the lucky one here.”
Jack stood up and raised his glass. “And you owe everything to me. If it wasn’t for me, we wouldn’t be on this beautiful island.”
Everyone laughed and took a sip.
Dinner was excellent, and afterward we sat around talking and drinking. I was happy I’d gone for the lighter dress, because the heat and humidity was stifling. Our only saving grace was the ocean breeze, which made it manageable.
Nathan had forgone the traditional tux, which I was more than okay with. He didn’t even have on a suit jacket. All things considered, I understood. None of that mattered, though, because it was exactly what we wanted. His shirtsleeves were rolled up and he’d lost the tie. The top buttons were undone and inviting me to touch the skin that showed.