“Camryn, is there something you want to tell us?” I ask, unable to look away from her chest.
“Why would you say that?” she asks, avoiding eye contact.
“Because your boobs are huge!” Kris blurts out.
“Subtle, Kris. Yea, Cam, we have noticed you’re a little bustier than usual.”
Looking away from us, Camryn mumbles something, but I can’t make it out over the noise of the sea.
“Cam, look at us. What's going on with you?”
“I’m pregnant!” she wails, and the tears start flowing. Kristen and I stand there in shock for a second before we wrap her in a hug.
“Camryn, it will be okay. We'll get through this together. Have you told Isaac?”
“Why would I tell him?”
“Because he’s the father?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, she cries harder.
“And then what? Huh?” she asks through her tears. “He runs in the other direction. That’s what.”
“You can’t keep this from him,” I try to reason with her. “And if he does puss out, we’ll still be here.” Placing my hand on the slight swell of her belly, I say, “I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“Me either, Cam. That baby is going to be spoiled rotten. As for Isaac, he may surprise you. You just have to give him a chance,” Kristen pipes in.
“After the trip, I’ll tell him,” she agrees, wiping the tears from her check, which is pointless since her hand is wet with sea water.
“Why wait? Tell him this weekend. That way y'all can talk without everyday life getting in the way,” I encourage.
“I don't want to take away from Kristen's weekend,” she says, looking at Kristen, “since I’m pretty sure we aren’t just here for a vacation.”
I spin toward Kristen, taking in the blinding smile lighting up her face.
“Spill. It.” I point my finger at her for emphasis.
“Derek and I are getting married!” she squeals, light dancing in her eyes.
Looking over at Camryn, I’m sure I have the same shocked expression of my face, mouth hanging wide open. Camryn is the first to react.
“Congratulations! So, this whole trip is to celebrate?” Camryn asks.
“No, we’re getting married here. Tonight. That’s why we’re getting makeovers.”
“Holy shit, Kris. That’s awesome,” I respond.
“Now that it’s out of the bag, let’s talk about that rock on your finger, Mallory.”
“Jason asked me to marry him last night!”
“Oh. My. God!” Camryn calls out.
“It was so perfect. He did it at sunset on the beach. There were candles everywhere and champagne. I’ve never been so happy. But I think it freaked him out when I started to cry.”
“I would have loved to see the look on his face before you put him out of his misery,” laughs Kristen.
Laughing back, I tell her, “Damn, you’re mean.”
I could not imagine a more romantic setting for a wedding. This puts what Jason threw together last night to shame. And it should. My best friend is about to pledge her life to the man she loves.
We spent most of the afternoon getting dolled up for tonight. Kristen had picked out tea-length peach colored chiffon dresses for us to wear with delicate spaghetti straps. They had to do some last-minute alterations to Camryn's dress to accommodate her new…um, assets. We decided to go barefoot since the wedding is on the beach. No one wants sand in their shoes. We make our way down. Camryn goes first, and I swear Isaac’s eyes are about to pop out of his head when he lays eyes on her.
Watching them walk halfway down the makeshift aisle, I turn to Jason. He looks so good in his khaki pants and white button-up shirt. I thread my arm through his as we begin to walk. Leaning down toward me, he whispers, “You look beautiful.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself. I’ll show you just how much I like it later,” I say with a wink, licking my bottom lip.
Reaching the end of the aisle, we go to our respective sides and wait for Kristen to appear. And when she does, I hear Derek’s indrawn breath. Or was it Brett's? I don’t turn to look.
As she walks down the aisle on the arm of her father, she looks gorgeous. She decided to have her hair in a partial updo with long blonde ringlets in the back, the setting sun causing a halo effect, making her look like an angel. Her strapless, ankle length dress curves to her shapely body, the slight breeze making the hem flutter around her feet. Chancing a glance at Derek, I can see how shiny his eyes are when he sees her. Once she makes it to his side, she kisses her dad on the cheek.
As the officiant begins the ceremony, I feel the tears start to roll and discreetly wipe my eyes with a tissue. As they repeat their vows to one another, their love shines through with each word.
And when they are pronounced man and wife, the amount of love shown in the kiss they share takes my breath away.
I can’t wait for that to be us, I think as I look over at Jason. Instead of watching the happy couple, he’s staring at me.
The reception is held in an outdoor pavilion closer to the hotel. The seafood dinner is superb, and the drinks flow freely.
Standing up during dinner, Brett delivers his best man speech. Catching my breath, I wait impatiently to hear what he will say, nervous with how hard he’s been hitting the bar tonight.
Tapping his knife to get everyone’s attention, he clears his throat.
“Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of my best friend to a woman who will always hold a special place in my heart.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I have known Derek since high school. He is the closest thing I have to a brother. His family is my family…” As he trails off, he looks over to Kristen. “Kristen has been in my life for six or so years. And for the most part, it was the happiest time of my life. But I screwed up and lost that happiness. Fortunately, that happiness was again found by Derek and Kristen. I wish you both years of happiness and love. If I had to relinquish her heart to someone, I could not think of a man more deserving than my brother. I know the past few months have been rough between us, but we will always be brothers. Always,” he directs at Derek. “Now, raise your glasses and let’s toast to this happy occasion. To Derek and Kristen.”
“To Derek and Kristen,” the crowd intones, glasses raised.
Slow dancing in Jason’s arms as the night wears on, I’ve never been more content in my life. Resting my head against his chest, I breathe out a sigh—a sigh of relief that my life is where I want it to be. Beside the man I love, surrounded by family and friends. The only sad note is my parents aren’t here to celebrate this life too.
“What is it?”
“I’m just happy,” I say, placing a kiss on his chest. “Thank you.”
“For what?” He looks down at me, his eyebrow arched.
“Making my dreams come true.”
“Anytime, darlin’. Anytime.” His smile when he gazes at me rivals the sun.
“Because I’m pregnant, you dipshit!” Camryn yells out, startling me from my moment of comfort. Turning, I see her stomp out of the pavilion, leaving a dumbfounded Isaac just staring at her retreating form, jaw practically on the floor.
Slipping out of Jason’s arms, I hurry over to him, and whisper, “Go after her!”
“Did she say what I think she said?” he asks, gaze not moving from where Camryn exited.
“Yes. You’re going to be a daddy. Now, man the fuck up and get out there. Her biggest fear is you would run. If you want to be with her, don’t prove her right.”
And at that, he’s running off after a fast-moving redhead.
Jason comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me as I watch his pursuit onto the moonlit beach.
“Did she just announce to the whole room she’s pregnant?” he whispers in my ear, the breath tickling.
“Yes, she did,” I answer with a smile.
“I was not expecting that.”
Chuckling, I say, “She didn’t either. She was going to tell h
im after we got back home.”
“And just how long have you known this little secret?” he asks, giving my hip a squeeze.
“Since this morning.”
“Isaac being a dad. Who could have pictured that? What did you say to him?”
“That if he wanted her, he needed to go after her.”
“We told him the same thing. Some things are worth the chase.”
“Now that you’ve caught me, what are you going to so with me?” I ask, turning in his arms, breasts pushing against his lower chest.
“Hold on tight and never let go.”
Leaning down, he presses his lips to mine for a brief kiss.
“If you do, I may just have to kick your ass.” I smile up at him.
Laughing, he leads me back to the party so we can celebrate the next step in our friend's lives.
Love can overcome all.
Mallory
Grabbing the phone off the table, I swipe my thumb across the bottom to answer Jason's call and place it between my ear and shoulder, so my hands are free to continue to paint my toenail bright pink.
“Hey, babe, you done with the workout already?”
“Are you watching the news?” Jason rushes out.
“No, I’ve been doing laundry.”
“Turn it on. Hurry,” he insists.
Pushing the button on the remote, I turn on the news channel. The blonde newscaster is speaking into the camera before a picture of a disheveled man being forced into a squad car appears.
In breaking news, Colorado fugitive, Todd Miller, was apprehended crossing into Texas this morning. He was stopped for a routine traffic violation before fleeing the police office and leading them on a high-speed chase spanning over a hundred miles. Police officers deployed spike strips to end the chase and the suspect was then taken into custody after wrecking his car into a concrete barrier. Mr. Miller is wanted for first-degree murder of his girlfriend, Monica Schneider. Mr. Miller has former ties to the North Texas area. He will be extradited back to Colorado for trial.
“Holy shit!” I breathe out, dropping the remote on the table.
“I guess you’ll never have to worry about that bastard anymore,” Jason states, a smile in his voice.
“I feel bad for that poor girl, though.”
“Nothing for you to feel sorry about. That bastard will get his due. As bad as it sounds, I’m glad it was her and not you. I love you, Mallory.
“Ditto, babe. Ditto.”
Silver Tongued Devils Series:
Down in Flames
Break Me Down
Down on My Knees – Winter 2017/2018
Untitled – Spring 2018
To my hubby & kids – Thank you for your unwavering support and patience. I know it’s not easy living with me when I’m on a deadline or in the middle of writing a scene or freaking out over editing. I love y’all to the moon and back. My life would be empty without you. Y’all are the best part of me.
To Cassandra and Lynn – The best friends a girl could ask for. Thank y’all for standing by me even when I’m being a horrible friend because I’m wrapped up in my make-believe world.
To Amanda – Thank you for keeping me on track, keeping me from losing my cool and letting me vent and for all your support. I couldn’t imagine this crazy ride with anyone else at my side.
To Marie – Thanks for being patient with me when I ask you a million and one questions, supporting me and letting me crash at your tables during signings.
To My Betas – Darlene, Jaime, Barbara-Jean, and Shawn – I couldn’t do this without you. Your insight is invaluable. Your support means the world to me. Love you ladies!
Last, but certainly not least – my readers – Thank you! Without you, my words would be meaningless. Thank you for buying my books and leaving reviews. Your support has been amazing and more than I ever thought I would receive.
I’m just a small town Texas girl who loves her husband, kids and the Dallas Cowboys. I spend most of my free time, what little there is between kids and work, getting wrapped up in my own make-believe world bringing my characters to life or reading anything I can get my hands on. On a wing and a prayer, I wrote my first novel and released it in March 2017. There’s no looking back now.
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Break Me Down: Silver Tongued Devils Series Book 2 Page 22
