I looped my arms around his neck. “Is this your version of I love you?”
“Come home and never leave again, no matter if I say something stupid.”
Looked like that was how he told me he loved me. And after hearing what his mom had said, that was starting to make more sense.
She also said people have different ways of showing their emotions. That some of us don’t know how to.
Lincoln was starting to make sense.
He’d gone out of his way to look after both me and Eric, and I needed to decide if I could live with him without hearing the words I wanted to hear desperately. This man had gone to bat for us repeatedly. Staying at his apartment. Making deliveries without being asked. Chasing down former clients so they’d give us business again. He was a good, good man. I loved him deeply. And he wanted to marry me. Keep us.
I smashed my lips against his. Whole. I finally felt whole again.
He held me tight against him, giving me every bit of himself. I felt how he’d missed me. That he loved me. That he needed me.
“This is the best,” Eric said as we broke apart.
I brushed my mouth against Lincoln’s. “You know how terrible I am about losing my keys. I don’t think we’re ever going to be able to leave.”
“Good. Because I’m not helping you find them.” He kissed my forehead tenderly. “How the mighty have fallen.”
I’d said those exact words to him the day of his arrest, just like I’d pretended to lose my keys to keep him out of jail. And he remembered.
“I already told you I have.” He was going to make me admit I’d fallen for him a lot. I just knew it.
He smirked. “I meant me.”
Epilogue
Lincoln
“I thought I’d get married before you. Are you doing this because you’re the oldest and want to go in order?”
Teague tugged on his red bow tie.
“I’m getting married because I love her.”
“Good thing we had these suits made on the double. Thank God we’re wearing them at your wedding instead of mine.”
I scowled. “You can manage for the ceremony. For dinner, you can lose the tie and cummerbund.”
“Thanks for the permission.” He punched me in the arm. “I’m happy for you.”
I was happy for me too. Ecstatic was more like it.
We were getting married on the rooftop of our apartment building. And we’d thrown it all together in four days.
“Is it straight?” Eric turned to me for examination.
“Looks perfect.” I reached in my pocket. “I have something for you.”
He watched with careful fascination as I opened the small box. “Cuff links.”
“These belonged to our grandfather. They’ve brought me a lot of luck.” I urged him to accept the box. “I want you to have them.”
“Me?”
I nodded. “Allow me to show you how to put them on.”
I threaded them through the slits in the cuffs of his white shirt.
He studied his wrists and grinned. “These are great! Thank you.”
“They look very nice.” I shrugged on my coat. “You’re quite handsome today.”
He checked his reflection in the mirror. “I want to wear my new suit every day.”
Teague yanked on his collar. “You two are crazy. I can’t wait to get out of this thing.”
“I appreciate your great suffering on my behalf.” I buttoned my jacket.
Beau burst through the guest bedroom door. “You should see how beautiful she looks.”
“Good thing we’re all decent.” Teague flashed her a saccharine grin.
She lifted her eyes to the ceiling. “Like you’re worried about that.”
“I’m modest.” Teague batted his lashes.
She smacked him in the stomach. “Wow, Eric. You have a better sense of style than Lincoln, and that’s saying something. These suits are fantastic.”
He beamed. “We went with red. For love.”
She glanced down at her own scarlet dress. “Good choice.” She slipped her arm through his. “Ready to walk Lexie down the aisle?”
“I can’t wait.”
“I’ll distract her, while you two get upstairs.” She shooed us out the door after I straightened my bow tie one last time.
In short order, I was getting married.
I never imagined the possibility before Lexie. Now, I couldn’t picture anything but being her husband.
Teague slung an arm around me as we exited the apartment. “Mom’s really happy right now.”
I hoped wherever she was that was true.
Muffy and Millie raced ahead up the stairs, but stopped on the landing, unsure where to go. I flicked my chin, and they bolted up the next flight.
“I suppose a thank-you is due,” I said when we neared the top.
“To who?” Teague held open the rooftop door.
“You.” Muffy and Millie bolted onto the grass we’d added. “For forcing me to foster them.”
“Actually, I only sent you home with Muffy. You’re the one who came back for Millie.”
Because Eric loved her, and I wanted him to have the dog.
“Get over here, handsome. I need to sneak one more kiss before you’re a married man.” Miss Adeline waved us over with the Bible in her hand.
Pepper’s cheeks turned as crimson as her dress. “You know you don’t have to do what she says.”
“Hush, girl. I’m an old woman who won’t have many more opportunities like this.” She winked.
I bent and kissed both of their cheeks. “Thank you for officiating.”
“My ordained minister’s license arrived just in time.” She buffed her nails. “Hope you don’t mind if I wing it.”
“Tell her no.” Pepper pointed at the old woman. “I’ve given her a strict script for our wedding.”
“I trust you.” Not so long ago, I couldn’t have said that to anyone other than Teague and Beau. My circle of trust had expanded to four more humans and two canines. Perhaps it wasn’t that the mighty fall, but rather they learned they couldn’t do everything independent of others. That they needed others.
“I won’t do you wrong.”
Beau poked her head out the door. “Are you ready?”
Miss Adeline pulled me on one side of her and motioned Teague and Pepper to their places. We didn’t have any chairs. Everyone we loved was going to stand at the altar beside us.
“Let’s have this wedding so we can get to the cake,” Miss Adeline said.
Beau disappeared for a second before she threw open the door, phone in hand. She snapped a picture of us, then focused her attention on the empty doorway.
I held my breath as I waited.
She hadn’t allowed me to see her dress. Not that it mattered. It was Lexie I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on.
She and Eric stepped onto the roof. Lexie was no less than stunning as she floated toward me. Her face was shielded by a thin veil. Crimson shoes peeked out from under her white dress. Her hair was pulled back, exposing the perfection of her neck.
With every step closer she took, the harder my heart beat. I felt. Because of her. And it wasn’t nerves. It was excitement.
This woman had given me hope when I’d had none. She’d stood by me at my worst and forgiven me when I’d made mistakes. She’d turned what was a lonely apartment into a home. And who was a lonely human into a man full of life.
I met her halfway down the aisle, unable to wait any longer. When I reached her, I paused before lifting her veil. Her eyes shone as she looked up at me.
I couldn’t find the words to tell her how beautiful she was, to thank her, to tell her I loved her. So I did my version of I do.
I slid my hand to her jaw and slowly bent toward her. She grabbed the lapels of my jacket, her chest rising and falling in a pronounced rhythm. My lips met hers, and the missing piece of my soul clicked into place.
I kissed her long and slow. An appreciation for the gift she’d
given me. For the life she’d breathed into me. A promise to protect and love her until time ceased to exist.
“I thought the kiss came at the end,” Eric whispered loudly from the altar.
“See what happens when you don’t stick to the script?” Miss Adeline asked. “It’s a lot better.”
Lexie snickered against my mouth, and I joined her.
“Is this your version of a wedding hello?”
I cradled her face. “I do. Until there is nothing left of this earth, I am yours.”
She choked back a sob and touched my cheek. “You express your feelings better than anyone I know.” Her smile was watery. “And I do.”
I kissed her again and everyone clapped and whistled.
I took her hand, approaching the altar.
“Are you two good? Or do we need to go through the scripted version?” Miss Adeline held up a piece of paper.
“We’re good,” Lexie said.
“This minister thing is easy. I now pronounce you husband and wife.” She flashed me a knowing look. “I don’t think you need my permission to kiss the bride.”
“No, I most certainly do not.”
I leaned forward and she pressed on her toes, touching her lips to mine again. She was my wife. And I was never letting her go.
“Are you going to do that all through dinner?” Teague asked.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Beau said.
“They can do what they want, but I’m ready for cake.”
Suddenly, the rooftop was quiet. We looked around and laughed when we found ourselves alone.
Lexie kissed my cheek. “We nailed this wedding thing.”
“I love you.”
I didn’t say it often. No matter what Lexie thought, I was a work in progress when it came to expressing my feelings. But I vowed to try.
“I love you, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
I’d never grow tired of hearing her say that. Never.
I led her downstairs to join our family again. As her warm hand was in mine, I could hardly believe she was my wife.
Laughter filled the apartment through the open front door, such a stark contrast to how life had been before. This was incredibly better.
Everyone was gathered by the piano in the living room. Eric sat on the bench next to Beau.
“Shall we dance, Mrs. Hollingsworth?”
She beamed, more radiant than she’d ever been. I liked to think I had something to do with it.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Her smile turned to her brother. “Ready for what you’ve practiced?”
The first notes of “Me and Bobby McGee” echoed in the space, and a chorus of voices joined in.
I laughed. Naturally, there wasn’t any other song to play. And those piano lessons Beau had been giving Eric were working well. Another thing he was naturally gifted at.
I swept Lexie into my arms and spun her across the floor. I had gone from a hollow man to one who had everything. Because of Lexie.
I dipped her, touching my forehead to hers when I pulled her upright.
“Let’s nail this rest of our lives thing.”
“I assume my invitation got lost in the mail.”
The animated conversation around the dining table silenced.
Teague dropped his fork with a clatter. “You weren’t invited.”
He glared at my father, who seemed pleased by his reaction.
What is he doing here?
Lexie clasped my hand under the table.
“This isn’t an appropriate time,” I said. I should change the locks so he couldn’t show up as he pleased, but that wouldn’t stop him.
He sauntered farther into the dining room and picked up Teague’s glass of champagne. “Surely, you don’t expect me to be absent on such a momentous occasion in my children’s lives?”
Teague pushed to his feet. Pepper grabbed his arm.
“Sit down, son. I’m only here for well wishes.” His smile sent a chill skittering down my spine. “And to think we get to do this all over again in two weeks. At Beau’s wedding.”
Beau is expected to marry a man she barely knows in two weeks. But maybe there’s a way out. Marry someone else first.
ONE-CLICK BEND NOW!
I thought arranged marriages died a few centuries ago.
Apparently, my father didn’t get the memo.
In two weeks I’m supposed to say I do to a man I’ve never met.
And the only way I see out of it? Marry someone else first.
The problem is I have one option on such short notice:
The jerk who shattered my heart.
One-click BEND now!
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Book Stuff
Well.
We certainly didn’t see Lincoln and Lexie coming.
It was pretty early on in Crash that Teague called his older brother Lincoln, and we have to admit, we were pretty taken with him then. But we kinda have a thing for broody, protective men (at least in books!).
But it’s always magic when characters walk onto a page. Just like Lincoln, Lexie and Eric were complete surprises. Though I suppose we really have Beau to thank for introducing us to them . . .
They grabbed our attention and made us a little curious about the brother and sister who had their own gourmet dog food company.
And when the fireworks happened between Lexie and Lincoln in their first meeting, we had a bit of a whoa moment.
At that point, we knew Lincoln wanted to tell his story, but we had no idea Lexie was his girl. We’re not sure he did either. Which made things pretty interesting.
Lincoln showed us his heart, and boy, is it a big one. Because it isn’t always words that mean the most. Sometimes words are just weapons to protect us. It was all the things he did for not only Lexie and Eric, but for Beau and Teague too.
Lexie has this tough exterior, and we never imagined she and Eric had been through so much. It made us respect them all the more that they managed to make the most of their lives, even when they had every reason not to. And we were so proud of her for opening her heart to love. She deserved it.
Lincoln did too.
And maybe that’s why they’re so perfect together.
We didn’t just lose our hearts to Lincoln and Lexie. A very special someone grabbed a big chunk of ours too.
Eric.
Isn’t he just such a joy? He made us smile. He brightened our days. He tugged on or heartstrings. And we’re just so grateful we got to know him.
With his sweet spirit and words of wisdom, he showed us the kind of attitude we’d like to have.
And his special hugs made us love him all the more.
How could we not mention the troublesome pair of Muffy and Millie? Those dogs bring so much to Lincoln, Lexie, and Eric’s lives without ever saying a word. They just plowed right in with their tail wags and paw swipes to demand treats. We feel confident Lincoln would’ve let Lexie and Eric into his life, but these two dogs showed him he’s capable of more than he thought in the emotion department. Although, he probably needs to invest in a hot dog stand.
The saga continues with Beau and Cal. We have a feeling they’re going to take us on quite the ride.
Thank you so very much for reading!
xoxo,
Grahame Claire
Acknowledgments
This is the easiest and hardest part of a book to write.
It’s easy because we have so many incredible people around us. And it’s hard because it’s difficult to put into words what they mean to us.
Our families put up with a lot, including early morning wake up calls, late nights, and us disappearing into the garage to write. Who knew it could be such an inspiring place? So much so that now they encourage us to go out there . . . hmmm . . . maybe we should be insulted? But we aren’t. Because they support us when we’re crazy and through every high and low. We love them so much more than they know.
The book community is a special place full of wonderful people, and we’re honored to be part of it.
Catherine Cowles, we’re so glad you’re not tired of us yet. Thank you always being there.
Claudia Burgoa, you constantly crack us up. And we literally don’t know where we’d be without you.
Emma Renshaw, we’re so lucky to know you. We love your no quit attitude no matter what life throws at you.
Alessandra Torre, you always make time for us, and we will never forget that. Thank you for being there for us from way before the beginning.
Tia Louise, thank you for the light you shine in the romance world.
P. Dangelico, you’ve always been so honest and supportive. We can’t thank you enough for that.
Marion Archer, we’re so grateful to you for your friendship. And for being our therapist. You work magic, and we’re thankful you’re on our team.
Karen Lawson and Janet Hitchcock, thank you for whipping our words into shape and always encouraging us.
Lori Sabin, working with you is an absolute joy. Thank you for helping us figure out how to get this one right.
Jenn Watson, thank you so much for your insight and wisdom. You always have the answers we need and the perfect plan.
The Social Butterfly team, thank you for your attention to detail and helping us get our books out into the world.
SueBee, you have been one of our biggest supporters from before we were even sure we’d publish a book. Thank you for your friendship and love.
Fall: Rise & Fall Duet Book 2 (Shaken 4) Page 20
