Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Are you doing good, though? Noah was going on and on about how successful your new spot is. I’ve been meaning to check it out but…” His words faded off. I understood. It would’ve been crossing a line. “Well, all I really wanted to say is I’m proud of you, Alex. You’ve got a strong head on your shoulders. I wish I’d had your drive when I was your age.”
“I appreciate that, James. I do.”
“Now, I know I’m not supposed to say this, but fuck it, I’m old. I can say whatever I want.” He leaned in and nudged my knee. “Henry is a piece of shit and I think my daughter lost her mind letting you go.”
I chuckled. “That’s the whiskey talking.”
“No, no. I mean it. Sarah and I talk about it all the time. That scumbag has nothing compared to you.”
“Well, he does have about thirteen successful restaurants around the world and a crap ton more money than me.”
James waved a dismissive hand. “Who cares about that stuff? That doesn’t mean anything. He can’t take those things to the grave with him. Besides, he’s missing the biggest thing that you have in spades.”
“And what’s that?”
“Honor. You’re an honorable guy. I always respected that about you.” I snickered a little, uncertain how to take the compliment. James must’ve noticed my discomfort, so he stood from the chair. “I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that Sarah and I still think about you all the time. She still says your name during her prayers at night, too.”
“Thanks, James.”
He rubbed the top of his head, messing up his fluffy white hair. “Not a problem. And for the record, Alex, it would’ve been an honor to call you son.”
I gave James a halfgrin and nodded goodbye as he walked away.
After he was gone, all I could think about was how I’d want to share that odd conversation with Yara. Heck, I wanted to share everything with that woman.
I pulled out my phone and shot her a text message.
Alex: How’s my Feliz?
Yara: Shouldn’t you be off socializing instead of on your phone?
Alex: Momentary break. Is he okay? I miss him a little.
She sent a snapshot of her with Feliz on her chest sleeping.
Yara: We miss you a little, too.
We miss you.
I didn’t know it could feel so good to be missed by a dog and a woman named Yara.
CHAPTER 34
Alex
In a perfect world, the wedding would’ve gone off without a single hiccup. Everything would’ve been smooth sailing from beginning to end, yet that wasn’t how life worked. We lived in an imperfect world where things went wrong.
Luckily, Yara was around to do last-minute errands to stores for safety pins, superglue, and the list of random tasks I’d kept shooting her way via text.
“The officiant isn’t here,” Noah told me, holding his phone in his hand as he paced back and forth. “The officiant isn’t here! I guess he ate at some crappy seafood place last night and has been sick all morning. He just now told us. Fifteen minutes before the wedding!”
Inside, I panicked. Outside, I kept my cool because that was the best man’s job. To panic inside while remaining cool, calm, and collected on the outside.
“It’s okay,” I told him, patting his shoulder. “We’ll figure it out.”
“How?” he said. “We need an officiant for the wedding. We can’t do it without one,” Noah exclaimed, his worry growing by the second.
“Uh, sorry to interrupt, but I have the superglue that was requested,” Yara said, walking into the men’s dressing room. I turned to find her and almost lost my breath.
She looked breathtaking as she stood in front of me. She wore a long, ruffled peach strapless gown that danced across the front of her cream heels. Her hair was pulled back into a high bun, except for a few curls that framed her face. Her makeup was light but perfect. Everything about her was perfect.
“Sorry,” she apologized again. She smiled at Noah. “I overheard the officiant issue, and well, if you need one, I’m ordained.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You are?”
“Yeah. My sister Willow randomly thought she fell in love once with this fisherman from Alaska. Long story short, they got married on a fishing boat, and I officiated it. They ended things two days later after Willow became a vegan, but alas. I still have my license.”
“No way.” Noah gasped, placing his hands on the sides of his head in shock. “You’ll do it?”
“Of course. If you get me a program, I can see the order of the ceremony and write a few words to make sure it flows well. Not a big deal,” she said.
“It’s a big deal,” Noah and I said in sync.
Yara smiled. “I’m just here to help.”
Noah dove into Yara’s arms and hugged her tightly. “Perfect. Thank you. I gotta tell the girls to let Mandy know we are all good to go. But thank you, Yara. Seriously.” Noah turned to me and pointed sternly. “Break her heart, and I’ll break your back, dude.”