Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 98112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Now?” I have maybe thirty seconds before my music starts. “If you’ve come to persuade me not to marry Xavian—”
“Nothing like that. I’ve watched the two of you since I arrived on Thursday. After a couple of restless nights, I did a lot of thinking. I know you love him.”
“More than you understand.”
“I know. And last time I saw you, he told me he loved you. I didn’t quite believe him. But everything I’ve seen in the last two days tells me his feelings for you are real.” Parker sighs. “He’s not the same man he was in college. And I acknowledge that we both played a role in the awful things that happened all those years ago.”
My heart stops. It’s not exactly an admission of guilt, but for my brother, that’s very close. “What are you saying?”
He swallows. “I tried to be protective and I clearly went overboard. I meant well…and I’m sorry. I hope you both can forgive me someday.”
I want to. This would be the perfect day to do it, but I can’t sweep everything that happened under the rug. “You did a lot of damage to my husband-to-be’s reputation. He almost lost out on two vital business opportunities that would have cost him millions.”
Parker has the good grace to look chastened. “I heard he gave you nearly every dime he’d saved to expand your business instead.”
“He offered it to me, yes. Ultimately, I gave it back to him.”
Once I moved into Xavian’s Maui home, I no longer had any need to buy a new house of my own. Between the money I banked from the influx of orders and giving up my expensive rental in LA, I had enough money to expand. Besides, it meant more to me that his dream of going into business with his family comes to fruition. Finally, it is. The day we return from our honeymoon, he’ll be announced as Bethany and Clint’s full partner and he, Maxon, and Griff will put out a statement announcing their new Pacific-based property venture. Everyone is over the moon, especially me.
My brother nods as I hear the last of the music signifying the end of the bridesmaids’ processional ending.
“We’ll have to talk about the rest of this later.”
“I want to walk you down the aisle,” he blurts.
Multiple thoughts pelt me at once. Why did Parker wait until the last minute to ask? Why does it suddenly matter to him? Why should I let him after all he’s put me through?
“Corinne?” Maxon asks beside me. I don’t see a shred of judgment on his face, probably because I know this man—like all the Reeds—has learned the value of family the hard way.
Maybe my brother has finally learned that lesson, too. It doesn’t really matter that he waited or that the timing is inconvenient. What matters is that he’s willing to accept part of the blame, along with my decision to marry Xavian. The past is in the past, and the future will be brighter if we all find ways to forgive and move on. Yes, I’m always the peacemaker, but I’m convinced we’ve come to the point in our lives where fighting, accusations, mudslinging, and vengeance serve no one.
I turn to Maxon. “Would you be okay?”
“If you cut my wedding duties in half?” He smiles. “Yeah. Your fiancé and the rest of the family just want you to be happy. If your brother is willing to walk you down the aisle and that’s what you want, go for it.”
The opening strains of “I Could Not Ask For More” begin. That’s my cue. I only have a split-second to decide. But is there really any choice?
“I will. Thank you. My brother can take it from here.”
“It seems fitting.” Maxon cups my shoulder softly, then nods Parker’s way before jogging to join the other groomsmen.
My brother offers me his elbow. “Thank you for being the bigger person and accepting me back.”
“You’re welcome. You won’t disappoint me again? You know I’m an adult who will make her own decisions?” I phrase that as a question, but it’s really not. Xavian has rubbed off on me, and I’m much better about setting expectations up front now. It’s served me well in business, which is still growing by leaps and bounds.
“I do.” He smiles ironically. “Now let’s get you down the aisle so you can say those words to Xavian.”
I wrap my fingers around his biceps. “I’m ready.”
As Keeley begins to sing the heartfelt ballad first crooned by Edwin McCain, we begin our march toward the altar and my groom. Everyone stands. My queasiness returns and my knees start knocking. What if Xavian objects to this new development? What if he and my brother exchange words? Or punches?
But I shouldn’t have doubted the man I love. He looks confused at first, but when he sees me staring back with unabashed love and happiness while Parker guides me toward him with a beaming smile, he smooths his furrowed brow and feasts his eyes on me.