And starts to become something I want more of, even though I know eventually it has to end.
CHAPTER ONE
A Beautiful Complication
Jake
Queenie’s wedding day
KEEP IT TOGETHER, man. Just keep it together.
I do a couple of rounds of those breathing exercises that my daughter is so damn fond of to help calm me down some. She does them often with the kids she works with. I reach for the glass of scotch sitting on my dresser and take a sip. Between the deep breathing and the scotch, I should be able to find some “chill”, as Queenie likes to say.
A gentle knock comes from the other side of my slightly ajar bedroom door.
“Come in,” I call out.
Hanna’s head appears, and that calm I found a second ago disappears. Her chocolate brown eyes scan the room until they land on me.
“Hey.” She steps inside, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.
I let my gaze drop, taking her in. Hanna is wearing a floor-length lavender dress with a slit that runs up the right side, stopping halfway up her thigh. It hugs her curvy figure in all the right places. Curves I’ve had my hands on countless times over the last several months. “You look stunning in that dress.”
A single spiral of her long dark hair skims her cheek, the right side pinned up with a tiny purple jeweled flower. I want to brush it back, so I have a reason to caress the graceful slope of her neck.
“Thank you. You look pretty damn good in that suit.” She crosses the room, her smile coy as she arches an eyebrow. “But even better out of it.”
I chuckle. “Have I told you lately how good you are for my ego?” As soon as she’s close enough, I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her against me. “And this dress is going to look even better when it’s decorating my bedroom floor at the end of the night.”
She tips her chin up and I drop mine, our lips meet and part, tongues sweeping out. Even though I know now is not the time for this, I allow myself to sink into the kiss, if only for a minute. It’s been like this since the engagement party.
In the beginning, I tried not to notice how much I liked the sound of her laugh or the way her face lit up when she smiled. But what started as lingering glances and harmless flirting quickly evolved into something not so innocent the more time we spent together.
Every time she’s come to visit from Tennessee, which has been at least once a month since the engagement party, we’ve ended up in bed together.
And now here we are, making out. Again.
Hanna breaks the kiss and covers my mouth with her palm. “We need to put a pin in this for another twelve hours.”
“Agreed.” I kiss her palm before I pull it away from my mouth. “But you started it with the suit comment.”
“I know. Sorry. I actually came in to see how you were holding up, not make out with you like a horny teenager.” She blows out a breath and backs up a step. “How are you doing?”
“Nervous as hell, to be honest.”
She gives me an understanding smile. “Nervous is normal. It’s a big day for all of us, and giving away your little girl is no small thing.”
“It feels like only yesterday I was changing her diapers. All those years gone in a flash.” I snap my fingers. “And now here we are.”
“Here we are,” she agrees.
“Am I good?” I motion to my tie. As the general manager of Seattle’s NHL team, I’m used to wearing a suit and tie. I’m also used to large crowds and public events. What I’m not used to is walking my only daughter down the aisle.
She smooths her hands over my lapels, adjusting them before moving on to my tie. She makes sure the knot is tight before she slides her hand over the purple silk. “There. Now you’re perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect, but as long as I don’t look like a hot mess, I’ll take it.”
“You never look like a hot mess, Jake.” Her gaze lifts and a smirk tips the corner of her mouth. “Take comfort in the fact you’re the eye candy for everyone over forty, and the real showstopper is Queenie.” She winks and her fingertips drag along the side of my neck as she adjusts the collar of my dress shirt.
“How is she doing?” Queenie seemed excited this morning when she and her bridal party took over the pool house to get their hair and makeup done.
“She’s great. No jitters and all excitement,” Hanna assures me.
“That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. I want today to be perfect for her.” Or as perfect as it can be.
At twenty, I became a single father after Queenie’s mom decided she couldn’t deal with the demands of raising a child and bailed on us when Queenie was a few months old. With the support of my parents, I raised Queenie on my own. I walked away from a career as a professional hockey player so I could be a present parent. I adjusted my career path in order to be a father first. I think I did a pretty decent job, all things considered.
And Queenie is marrying the nicest, most stable guy in the universe, which is exactly what my princess deserves.
“Today will be perfect. Ryan loves Queenie more than hockey and milk, which is saying a lot.”
We both chuckle. King takes a lot of good-natured ribbing over the fact he orders pints of milk at the bar rather than beer.
“He’s going to take great care of her heart,” I tell her.
“And she’s going to be a fantastic partner for Ryan.” Her eyes turn glassy for a moment.
I can’t even begin to imagine how hard this is for her. Her relationship with Kingston is anything but conventional, and this wedding has proven challenging at times. I place my hand over the one still resting on my chest. “He’s an incredible man. And the only one I would ever deem worthy of my baby girl.”
She smiles warmly. “They’re going to make a wonderful team.”
“They really are.” I give her hand a squeeze. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m fine.” She fiddles with my collar again, like she can’t figure out what to do with her hands. “I need to get the girls in place. I’ll meet you out there in a few?”
She’s about to pull her hand away, but I squeeze it, keeping her close. “Thank you for being such a huge part of this day, and for being so good to Queenie.”
“She’s easy to love. You’ve raised a wonderful, kind woman.”
She picks up the glass of scotch sitting on my dresser and folds my hands around it. “Take a deep breath and drink this. I’ll see you in the kitchen.” She winks again and slips out the door, leaving me to finish getting ready.
A handful of minutes later, I join the wedding party, who is assembled in the kitchen—apart from the groom, who’s preparing to walk his parents down the aisle.
Hanna is calmly giving directions, checking on the boys the same way she did with me, making sure ties are straight, before she moves on to the bridesmaids, adjusting bobby pins and smoothing out dress straps.
No one has noticed me yet, so I take a moment to observe my daughter’s friends. They’re a great group of kids—adults really—and some of them only a decade my junior.
Stevie, one of the bridesmaids whose hair is nearly the same color as her lavender dress, steps up beside me. “How’s it going, Jake? You ready to get this party started?”
“About as ready as I’ll ever be. Where’s Queenie?” I glance around the kitchen. She should be easy to spot, but all I see are her friends and several of my players. Since Kingston is the goalie for the NHL team I manage, most of the groomsmen are also his teammates, which technically makes me their boss.
“I just saw her. Hanna, have you seen Queenie?” Stevie calls out.
Hanna pauses in her mission to pin a boutonniere to the best man, Bishop’s, lapel. “She was here a second ago.” Hanna glances around the room. “Where in the world did she go?”
“I think she’s with Lavender and Kody? Do you want me to check?” Lainey, another one of the bridesmaids and wife to my team captain, Rook Bowman, asks.
&
nbsp; “That’s okay. Stevie, can you make sure this is straight on your husband?” Hanna pats Bishop’s chest, then crosses the room and threads her arm through mine. “Let’s find the bride and make sure she hasn’t started an arts and crafts project.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that was actually the case.” Stevie grins and then points at the guys. “Hey, you two need to cool it or you’re both going to be shitfaced before the ceremony is even over.”
I glance over to see Gerald, Kingston and Hanna’s brother, and Bishop with their flasks halfway to their mouths.
“Mine is full of grape juice,” Bishop says in an effort to lie.
Stevie strides across the room and holds out her hand. “If you’re lying, you’re sleeping on the couch.”
Hanna shakes her head. “I really hope Gerald makes it through dinner without passing out.” She guides me around the corner and puts her finger to her lips before pointing to the living room. “Look,” she whispers.
And there she is, my baby girl. All grown up and looking more beautiful than I have words for. As is her way, she’s not focused on herself, or the fact she’s about to marry the man of her dreams. Instead, she’s crouched in front of the flower girl and ring bearer—Lavender and Kody.
They’re not family, but they might as well be with how close Queenie has become with them. Lavender is the team coach’s daughter, and Kody is Rook and Lainey’s son. She’s been working with both kids in art therapy.
“What is she doing?” I murmur, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Being her amazing, selfless self.” Hanna hugs my arm. “God. Just look at her. She really is extraordinary.”
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from my daughter. Her dress pools around her slight frame, the skirt an oasis of gauzy layers sparkling with intricate beading in the form of tiny purple flowers. I can feel myself choking up. All the time she and I have spent together, the good and the bad, we’ve been through it all and here she is, on her special day, making sure that everyone, even these two, feel included.
Lavender’s vibrant blue eyes are wide and she has two fingers in her mouth.
“Are you nervous?” Queenie asks.
Lavender ducks her head.
“Want me to tell you a secret?”
Lavender peeks up from under her lashes and nods.
“I’m nervous, too. But you know what’s awesome?”
She shakes her head.
“Your mom and dad are going to be waiting for you at the front, and Kody is going to be right beside you, all the way down the aisle. And if it helps, you can focus on Kingston, because he’s going to be waiting at the end of the aisle, too.”
“I can hold your hand if you get scared, Lavender.” Kody holds out his hand, and Lavender wipes hers on her dress before taking it.
“You two are the best flower girl and ring bearer in the entire universe.” Queenie claps her hands. “And I have something super special for both of you as a thank you for being part of mine and King’s special day. It’s sitting at your table, and you can go get it right after the ceremony is over. Does that sound good?”
The kids smile and murmur something I don’t catch, and Queenie gives them both a hug. “We should get ready. We’ll be walking down the aisle soon.”
“I’ll give you two a minute together.” Hanna steps up and takes the kids back to the kitchen.
“My baby girl.” I take Queenie’s hands in mine. “Let me look at you.” I shake my head. “When did this happen?”
“When did what happen?” She smiles up at me, looking absolutely radiant.
“When did you grow up and become this beautiful young woman? I swear it was just last week when you were drawing murals on your bedroom walls in Sharpie.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “I hope the people who bought that house never took the wallpaper off.”
“I hope they did. That was your first of many masterpieces.” I squeeze her hands. “How are you feeling? You ready for this?”
She squeezes my hands in return. “Nervous. Excited. But so ready. It feels really good to be so sure.”
“You two are meant for each other. I could see it right from the beginning.” I bend and press a kiss to her cheek. “You look stunning, exactly like the queen you are. You know, when I named you Queenie, it was because the moment you arrived in the world, I knew that you would forever be the ruler of my heart.” And in some ways, I wonder if that love I have for her—how it trumps everything and everyone else—is part of the reason her mother wasn’t able to handle being a mom. Because everyone would always come second to my little girl.
“You know I never get tired of hearing that story.” Her eyes soften.
“Good, because I never get tired of telling it.” I wink. “And now you get to rule over Kingston’s heart.”
“Okay, now you’re getting cheesy.”
We both laugh and then she blows out a breath. “I love you so much, Dad. Thank you for letting us take over your entire house for this. I know it’s been a lot.”
“I’m glad I’ve had the chance to be part of it. You have such a great group of friends. And honestly, Hanna has been the one organizing everything. I just got the emails and phone calls and messages telling me what was happening and when.”
“She’s been a godsend, hasn’t she?” Queenie glances over my shoulder, the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. “I don’t think I can thank her enough for all she’s done, especially with the number of trips she’s made from Tennessee to ensure everything runs smoothly. I’m going to miss having her around.”
I shove down the brief pang of guilt. Hanna has been adamant that what’s going on between us stays a secret. And I get it. Her family situation is already complicated. “She’s been pretty incredible.”
And she has. Queenie’s mother has never earned the title. To the point that, after a lengthy discussion, Queenie decided not to invite her to the wedding. She didn’t want the disappointment, and frankly, she doesn’t deserve to have her day overshadowed by the woman who hasn’t shown up for any of her important milestones.
When Queenie asked Hanna to be part of her bridal party, Hanna graciously accepted the role. And in the time between then and now, Hanna has inadvertently stepped in and taken on the maternal role that was missing in Queenie’s life. It happened naturally, a slow evolution, where Queenie would go to her about the things I couldn’t help with. It’s been good for both of them.
I bought Hanna a gift as a thank you, and of course, this morning has been so busy that I forgot to give it to her. I should have done it when she stopped by my room, but I’d been distracted.
The grandfather clock tolls, signaling the top of the hour. Queenie’s eyes go wide. “It’s time.”
“We should get in line, shouldn’t we?”
“We should.” She wraps me up in a tight hug. “I love you, Daddy.”
I don’t know if it’s possible for a heart to swell and break at the same time, but that’s how it feels. “I love you, too. More than anything.”
We head back to the kitchen where the girls fawn over Queenie and express their excitement in high-pitched squeals.
Stevie takes Queenie by the shoulders. “In less than half an hour, you’re going to be Queenie Kingston, which is a seriously badass name. And you couldn’t have picked a better, milk-drinking-rule-following-yet-dirty Boy Scout to marry.”
Lainey elbows her. “Censor, Stevie, there are kids around.”
“And me.” I raise my hand.
“Right.” Stevie cringes. “Sorry, Jake.”
Hanna raises a hand to get everyone’s attention. “We all need to take our places.”
“Right. Yes. Places.” Stevie moves to the front and Queenie takes her place beside me at the back of the line.
Stevie and Bishop lead the way, and each pair walks down the aisle with Lavender and Kodiak going right before us. They hold hands and Lavender tries to hide behind him and shakes the basket, l
eaving a trail of petal clumps in her wake.
From my position, I can see all the way to the end of the aisle. King, dressed in a black tux, stands with his hands clasped, gaze shifting from Lavender and Kody to the doorway where I am, waiting for the wedding march to start.
Lavender begins to struggle with all the attention about halfway down the aisle, which is when King leaves his post at the altar and comes to meet Lavender and Kody. He crouches down and says something to the two of them.
There’s a rustle in the crowd and lots of clicking of cameras when King scoops Lavender up and gives Kody a fist bump.
“What’s going on?” Queenie asks.
I shift to the right. “Stay behind me so King can’t see you,” I whisper.
She does as I ask and makes a little noise, somewhere between a shriek, a giggle, and a sigh when she sees King carrying Lavender down the aisle to a chorus of cheers and clapping.
“He really is awesome, isn’t he? He’s going to be such a good dad.”
“You’re both going to be great parents, but maybe let’s get through the ceremony before you start planning your family?”
She laughs again and then the music changes. “Oh, it’s really time, Dad.” Her eyes take on that glassy quality and she tips her chin up, as though she’s fighting back tears.
I pull a tissue out of my pocket and dab under her eyes. “You got this. Now take a deep breath, because we’re about to walk down that aisle.”
I place her hand on my forearm and cover it with mine as the strains of the wedding march filter through the backyard. We step out into the sun, the light refracting against the beading on her dress, making a million tiny rainbows appear on the fabric. Her smile widens when King comes into view, and I have to force her to slow her steps so she doesn’t run down the aisle and launch herself at him like I sense she wants to.
His face lights up when she finally rounds the corner. His eyes move over her, darkening with lust. It briefly, and irrationally, makes me want to punch him in the face. Except he’s her fiancé and about to become her husband. And I’m already well aware that these two are madly in love with each other. So, I tamp down that fatherly protectiveness and remind myself that she’s no longer the little girl whose boo-boos I used to kiss better.
A KISS FOR A KISS Page 2
