Epilogue
Gemma
If a real-life Cinderella had a wedding, it would be a lot like this one. I keep wanting to pinch myself because deep down inside, it’s still hard to believe any of this is real. The champagne hasn’t stopped flowing. There’s an endless amount of food, and the music has everybody dancing the way they’ve been for hours. It’s now almost midnight, and it doesn’t look like the party’s about to end any time soon.
Mom is so happy, she’s glowing. I get the feeling she’s a little overwhelmed, too. Still, she’s doing a good job of hiding it behind a wide smile and gracious acceptance of the many happy wishes extended by hundreds of people she’s probably never met before.
One thing nobody could possibly gossip about—the way she looks. Like a princess, tasteful and sophisticated in a simple satin sheath that fits her like a glove. I’m sure some people expected her to look tacky and over-the-top. I hope they’re disappointed.
“It’s my turn.” Odis cuts in on Denver when the song we were dancing to ends. Denver accepts this with a grin since, let’s face it, this isn’t the time to start a fistfight over who gets to dance with me next.
It’s been this way all night, the two of them taking turns with me on the dance floor. Slow dances, fast, it doesn’t matter. They haven’t left my side for longer than the time it takes to get me something to eat, drink, or to find an empty chair so I can rest my aching feet. I’m not used to spending an entire day in heeled sandals, especially not the delicate pair Mom insisted I get to coordinate with my floor-length dress. It’s pale pink to match her cream-and-pink theme, and there are cream roses pinned in my simple updo. Between the way I’m dressed and the attention from my new stepbrothers, I feel like royalty, too.
Not just tonight, either. Ever since I decided to stop caring about the past and about what other people think, they’ve pampered and treasured me to the point where I have to try to remember why I ever hated them. I finally gave up trying to remember since it only makes me unhappy, anyway. I’d rather enjoy the present moment and everything it has to offer.
“How are you holding up?” Odis holds me close, his hand against the small of my back.
I slump a little against him. “Honestly? I’m running out of steam.”
He snickers. “Amateur. There are still hours of partying to be done.”
“Maybe for you. Some of us had to be up at four this morning for a mani-pedi before hair and makeup. Then pictures. Then—”
“I get it, I get it. And all we had to do was roll out of bed.”
“Exactly.” We share a laugh, and for maybe the thousandth time, I can’t help but compare the way things are now to the way they used to be. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have pictured dancing in either his or Denver’s arms at a wedding or any other occasion. Not unless they were pranking me.
“You look incredible.” He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “Good enough to eat.”
Looks like I’m not too tired for some things. Heat flares to life in my core even as I try to laugh it off. “Come on. We promised to play nice tonight, didn’t we?” In other words, no getting handsy—Richard’s word, not mine. He doesn’t usually set rules, but he did for today, all because he wants it to be perfect for Mom.
“I’m playing nice. If I wasn’t, I’d drop to my knees right now and work my way under that dress.” He grins with a wicked look in his dark eyes. “Or throw you over my shoulder and announce to everyone in earshot that I intend to fuck you until you pass out.”
“I don’t think it would take long for me to pass out tonight.” Though I do let my hand wander over his ass before moving it up his back. His growl makes me giggle.
The song comes to an abrupt end, and when we turn to find out why, I see Denver standing in front of the band with a microphone in hand. He looks like a million bucks tonight, just like Odis. Both of them know how to wear a tux, and the sight of them makes my mouth water. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
Odis leaves me standing in the middle of the floor, surrounded by guests, as he steps up to join his brother. “As co-best men, we wanted to make a little speech,” Denver begins with a charming grin. There’s a smattering of applause all around. I find Mom and Richard standing together by the six-tier cake, wearing identical smiles.
“I always told myself any woman who wanted to be with my dad would have to get through me first.” Denver looks at Odis, who nods. “We both felt that way. We’re protective of anybody we love. We didn’t want anything but the best for him.”
Odis takes the mic. “Turns out, he found the best—and he was smart enough to recognize it. Her, I should say. Linda, we’re both proud to welcome you to our family.” I look over in time to see her brush away a tear.
It’s Denver’s turn again. “Dad and Linda, you taught us a lesson neither of us will forget.”
His eyes scan the crowd before landing on me. “When you find the person you love, you don’t let them go. No matter what.” Odis nods slowly, also staring at me. Neither of them bothers to hide it.
Neither do I. Because they’re right. Love is worth holding onto, no matter the so-called obstacles in the way. I know neither of them will ever let me go.
And I don’t want them to.
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