Her sobbing mother plowed into her, and probably would have toppled her over if Boone hadn’t been holding her hand. “Oh, Peyton, you’re right, this town is wonderful. Look how much they love you.”
Her father squeezed in a hug once her mom finally let her go. “Couldn’t be happier for you, kiddo.”
Peyton slid a curious look to Boone. “You called them?”
“Not just that family either,” he said.
Someone appeared before Peyton then, and she couldn’t fight the growing tears, a bunch spilling over. “You’re here.”
“We’re here,” said Amy, taking Peyton in her arms and holding her close. “Nothing would have made Adam happier to see you in this new life you have. Your happiness was all that ever mattered to him.”
Peyton simply nodded, unable to speak past the tears. She glanced from face to face of all the people who loved her, wondering how she ever got so lucky. There was just so much love in the room, and against all odds, she survived. And not only survived…she thrived. “Thank you all for being here,” Peyton said, glancing around at her family, new and old. “So, now, can you all stop making me cry and party instead?”
“Hear, hear!” Kinsley yelled. “Drinks on the house.”
The crowd cheered.
Peyton laughed through her tears as Boone gathered her in his arms, holding her close.
Right as he dropped his mouth to hers, another voice said, “Congratulations.”
Boone jerked away, and for a split second his ironclad expression fell, exposing so many emotions that Peyton couldn’t pinpoint all of them. Until he cleared his throat and said to Peyton, “Peyton, this is my mother, Rosemary.”
“Oh,” Peyton said, shell-shocked, but she recovered quickly and offered her hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
Rosemary looked a lot like Kinsley, just an older version with a bob instead of long hair. She gave a pleasant smile and returned the handshake. “It’s my pleasure to meet you.” She turned to Boone again, and her smile warmed. “I’m so very happy for you, Boone.”
He inclined his head. “Thank you, Mom.”
His mother watched him for a long, loaded moment and said, “Well, best I get a drink to celebrate with you.” She strode off toward the bar.
Peyton watched as Boone’s gaze followed her, where she had a drink with her husband, who happened to be talking to Hank. She turned to Boone. “Okay, you’re just full of surprises tonight.”
He brought her into his arms, staring down at her. “It’s time to put the past in the past and move on.” He seemed somehow happier after his conversation with Chelsea last week, where he finally confronted his emotions surrounding his previous marriage, and his smile now as he looked at his mom spoke of peace and love. They were both healing from their past. “And you’re the one who taught me that.” He dropped his mouth to hers and kissed her. Hard. Passionately. Like no one in the room was watching them.
Until Asher said, tight and edgy, “This guy is a ghost.”
Peyton leaned away from Boone. “Huh?”
“You weren’t supposed to say something until after the party,” Boone said, a bite to his voice.
Asher took a swig of his beer and glared across the room to where Remy and Damon were drinking with Kinsley and Rhett. “What I’m saying is that Damon Lane does not exist. We can’t find any records of him anywhere. He’s not a real person.”
Peyton glanced at Boone. “How can he not be a person?”
Boone’s lips parted, but Asher cut in, “He’s been created, fabricated, whatever.”
She absorbed that information, feeling so damn sorry for Remy. God, Asher broke her heart, now this. Peyton turned to Boone. “Then who is Remy’s fiancé?”
Boone slowly shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Asher gave them a look of pure determination, and maybe something even more possessive than that. “But I’m sure as hell going to find out.”
Are you ready for Remy and Asher’s story? Keep reading for a preview of WICKED SINNER, available in fall 2019!
Chapter 1
“Today we are gathered here to celebrate Damon Lane and Remy Brennan as they proclaim their love and commitment to the world.”