After We Fall (18 page)

Today is our wedding day. Exactly one year to the day since I first met Evangeline. While I didn't wait very long to pop the question, I did think our engagement would be longer than four months, not that the amount of time mattered to me.

My concern was for Evangeline. For her to have time to do all the things she didn't get to do with her first engagement, like parties and showers. For her to shout it to the world, instead of keeping it a secret that could only be spilled after the deed was done.

Apparently, I had nothing to worry about. Right after we announced our news to our families, our respective mothers joined forces and planned more parties and showers than the world had ever seen.

Or at least it felt that way to me.

Glancing at the clock on the wall of the groom's dressing room, I rub my hands together in anticipation. In T minus fifteen minutes, I get to marry the love of my life. I get to make babies with her, although we already started on that front since she stopped taking the pill last month.

Memories of being inside Evangeline that first time without protection threaten the fit on my suit. I exhale, trying to will my erection down. Nothing says romance like a hard-on in front of two hundred guests.

“You can always disappear, you know,” Dwight says. “I know people.”

“Will you ever stop rubbing it in my face?”

Dwight considers my words for a moment. “Nope. I like a lateral promotion.” Last month, Dwight was selected for a special task force on combating a rising mafia crime ring. To imagine the mafia in a small town like Forrestville is almost laughable. But hey, the truth is always stranger than fiction.

“I'm sure the senator can afford to hire a new head of security,” Hayden mutters as he adjusts his cuff links.

I shake my head. “I'm good.”

“Wish I were.” Things between Hayden and his dad aren't getting any better, and now that the political season is gearing up for the November elections, Senator Walker is putting a tremendous amount of pressure on Hayden to give up his job in order to run for a state office. Something about perpetuating the family name in politics. I'm not sure exactly, but I am sure I'm glad it's not me.

“Maybe once he gets elected to Washington, he'll leave you alone.”

“He won't leave me alone until I'm married or he's dead.” Hayden tosses back the rest of his scotch. “Probably won't stop then, either.”

The wedding planner sticks her head in our room. “Time to go, gentlemen.”

“You heard the lady.” I gesture for my buddies to go ahead of me.

We walk as one to the main hall, where chairs are lined up in rows on each side. There's a sign with the words
PICK A CHAIR, NOT A SIDE
by the door and I grin. That is all my bride. I guess that's all me, too.

My mother's relatives have traveled all the way from Tijuana while Evangeline's traveled from the North Carolina coast, and they are all sitting together, with the only nod to tradition at the front—my mother and
abuela
are seated on one side and Evangeline's parents on the other. The only family that is missing is Jake, but we left him snoring in his bed at home. Lately he's not been much on crowds, so that's fine with him.

Interspersed throughout are the friends we've made, as well as coworkers. I even spy some boys in blue seated on the end aisle.

As soon as we're in place, the preacher nods at us and a lone guitarist begins to play. Piper Simmons walks up the aisle, her hands clutched tight around a small gathering of roses. Next is Saylor, the frames of her glasses matching the yellow bridesmaid gown.

Hayden leans in. “Who is she?”

“She's a nice girl.” I give him a look, but he doesn't see me. Hayden's too busy staring at Saylor. “You don't like nice girls, remember?”

“Those glasses are throwing you off, man. I bet she's very naughty.”

“Your librarian fantasies are going to get you in trouble. Stay away from Saylor. I like her. More important, my fiancée likes her.”

“Yeah, yeah. I hear you.”

Shit.
He doesn't hear me at all.

The music changes, and suddenly the double doors in the back of the room open, and I don't give another thought to whether or not Hayden is listening. Light blazes through the opening and there she stands, bathed in all white.

Evangeline's dad holds out his elbow and she takes it, wrapping her fingers around it. They start to walk toward us and the blinding smile on her face is the most beautiful I've ever seen.

She takes my breath away, right then and there.

As she walks down the aisle, she waves and nods at everyone, then stops a couple of feet short of me. Letting go of her dad's arm, she goes to my mother and hugs her.

“Thank you for your son,” Evangeline says.

If my mother didn't already love Evangeline, that would have done it. However, we both know that Evangeline isn't giving her some cheesy line. No, the woman I love means what she says. She knows how precious words are, how precious time is, and neither of us wants to waste any of it.

Evangeline turns her attention back to me, her face glowing as she is escorted closer. I take her small hand in mine.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hey, beautiful. Ready to get married?”

She nods, stepping closer. “Yes.”

Ignoring everything, I take her into my arms and whisper how much I love her. How all I can see, think, and feel is her.

For the rest of our lives.

To those who make it out, I wish you joy and happiness…and peace.

I'd like to thank so many people for helping bring Evangeline and Hunter's story to life. First, my editor, Sue, who totally believed in this book and the power of it. Thank you so much for pushing me to go deeper.

I want to thank my crit partner, Andris Bear. Thank you for letting me pick your husband's brain when it came to police procedures and for sharing what it's like being a cop's wife. You are an amazing person, lady!

Thanks to Autumn, my super amazing personal assistant/goddess for keeping me on task and encouraging me to stay the course.

Huge thanks to my readers, you're the reason I write! Xo.

Last, I'd like to thank my family for putting up with me, as always, while I'm writing and getting so involved that I forget to do things like eat and take showers. Yeah, I know. Cleanliness is next to godliness, or people not holding their noses around you. Whatever. In any case, I love y'all to pieces.

Take the Fall

When We Fall

After We Fall

Hard to Fall

Live for You

Only for You

True for You

All for You

Wish for You

Burn for You

Need You Tonight

Drive Me Crazy

Driving to You

Twice Tempted

Third Time's a Charm

His Christmas Wish

Just Desserts

Not over You

Be Mine

Love So Hot

Love So True

Love So Irresistible

Love So Tempting

Love So Perfect

Love So Unexpected

The Billionaire Bride

The Temporary Bride

The Forgotten Bride

The Christmas Bride

The Scottish Bride

Seducing the Billionaire's Wife

Seducing the Billionaire's Secretary

Seducing the Billionaire's Brother

PHOTO: MATTHEW WINSLOW

M
ARQUITA
V
ALENTINE
is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of the Holland Springs and Boys of the South series.

Since first taking the plunge in July 2012 to self-publish, Marquita's books have appeared on the iBooks, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble top-selling eBook lists. She's been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (Book Queen).

When she's not writing about sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the South with her husband, two kids, and a dog.

Visit Marquita at the links below and subscribe to her newsletter through the contact link on her website.

marquitavalentine.com

Facebook.com/​AuthorMarquitaValentine

@marquitaval

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