My Forever (Our Forever Book 3)

by Elena Matthews

  “I’m sorry. I’m just way too emotional.”

  “Well, while we’re already emotional, I just want to say thank you for being my maid of honor. You look beautiful, and I’m so thankful for having you in my life. I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I tell her as she pulls me into a hug.

  As I step back, wiping the tears from under my eyes, Tyler steps up beside me. Dressed in a tux, he looks so handsome. If he wasn’t already married and I wasn’t brokenhearted, I would totally hit that. “Jo, you look so beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she tells him before pulling him into a hug.

  When they pull away, he holds his arm out for her. “Shall we go and get you married then?”

  Since Jo’s stupid excuse of parents won’t be attending the wedding, Tyler is stepping up for Jo and walking her down the aisle. He’s one of her best friends, so it made sense that it would be him.

  She nods her head, accepting his arm by looping hers through. “Yes. Take me to my future husband.”

  Just then, she gasps, clutching her hand to her heart.

  “Shit, what is it?” I ask in alarm. “It’s not the baby, is it?”

  Instead of answering me, she lets her eyes close, and she takes a deep inhale before exhaling. When she opens her eyes, more tears appear. Shaking her head, she answers my question, “No, it’s not the baby. I could, um…I could smell Christopher. I think he’s here.”

  I glance over to Tyler, Christopher’s brother, to see him swallow deep, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

  He clutches Jo’s hand and smiles at her. “He wouldn’t miss his best friend getting married.”

  That sets the waterworks off. I have to dig into my purse for my compact and quickly salvage what is left of my makeup because tears and makeup do not mix.

  “Right, no more crying,” I declare, holding my posture up with confidence as I allow the last shuddering breath to leave my lungs. “Let’s just get you to your man before I have to redo my entire makeup!”

  When we get to the cupcake store, where the wedding is taking place, we’re greeted by Drew’s sister, Rachel, who is their second bridesmaid.

  “They’re all ready for you,” she tells us. She gives Jo a wicked smile. “It’s your last chance to back out.”

  We all laugh, and Jo smooths her hands over her baby bump. “It’s a little too late for that.”

  I spend a few more minutes applying another layer of lip gloss to Jo’s lips and making sure her makeup is perfect. Then, I grab her veil out of the box that Rachel has been keeping under her watchful eye before clipping it carefully to Jo’s hair. She could have put it on back at the house, but I didn’t want the chance of getting it creased on our way over here in the car. I gently bring it forward over her head until it spills in front of her, making her look even more enchanting. I step back and take her in.

  So, so beautiful.

  “Okay, we’re ready,” I announce, having to swallow back my tears.

  Swapping my purse for a bouquet of flowers, I follow Rachel to the rooftop where thirty guests wait for the wedding to begin. As the intro of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Haley Reinhart begins to play, Rachel makes her way down the makeshift aisle.

  While I wait for my turn, I allow my eyes to take in the twinkly lights that hang above us, glittering perfectly against the sunset. They would have preferred to get married at sunrise, but since no one in their right mind would attend a wedding at six in the morning, they settled with a sunset wedding instead.

  Thank God.

  Candlelit lanterns and scattered white rose petals lead the way down the burgundy aisle, adding to the captivating glow of the hanging lights. When Rachel gets to the end, I push my feet forward in my six-inch heels and make my way down. Drew watches me with a smile, looking hot as hell in his tux.

  Damn, Jo is one lucky girl.

  I just about melt at the sight of Junior and Drew’s nephew, Mason, in matching tuxedoes. Junior is Drew’s best man, and the way he stands tall and proud shows me just how much he’s grown up.

  As I approach Junior, I reach out to fist-bump him and whisper, “As a best man, it’s your duty to dance with the maid of honor. Better not keep me waiting, Bailey.” I wink, causing him to chuckle.

  Stepping up to Drew, I settle a kiss on his cheek, and as I pull back, he says, “You look incredible.”

  I give him a once-over, smiling. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  He smirks as I stand beside Rachel. It’s only a few seconds later until Jo emerges with Tyler on her arm. Every step she takes forward, she literally shimmers under the fairy lights, looking every bit like the princess she is.

  Briefly, I cast my eyes over the guests, and suddenly, the breath gets caught at the back of my throat at the sight of Chase sitting in the back row. My heart stops for a single second before thundering back to life in my chest.

  Oh my God, what’s he doing here?

  His intense gaze is on me, and I find it impossible to look away. He looks so amazing in a tailored suit, his hair slicked back, and my ovaries just about explode when I notice the baby carrier attached to his chest with his daughter sleeping peacefully. I swallow hard. When he throws me his sexy smile, it awakens me from my stupor, and I glare at him. The hurt he caused me lies heavy on my heart, and it takes me back to the hellish weeks I had since he pushed me away. The hellish weeks of not eating, crying myself to sleep, and basically just being a heartbroken fool.

  When I sense Jo step up to the altar beside Drew, I avert my eyes and focus on my best friend getting married to the love of her life.

  Tyler lets go of Jo’s arm before pressing a kiss to her cheek. Then, he steps away to join his wife, Mia, on the front row.

  I glance to Drew, and as he removes the veil from Jo’s face, he stares at her with a mixture of awe and love, as if he’s won the jackpot. I can’t help but feel envious, wanting to have someone look at me like that. However, when my eyes find Chase’s again, regardless of how pissed I am that he’s here, tingles erupt up and down my body as I find his stare solely on me, and it’s the same appreciative gaze I just witnessed Drew giving Jo.

  The officiant kicks things off by saying, “Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jo Donovan and Drew Greyson in marriage.”

  I try to focus on the wedding happening in front of my eyes, but every few seconds, I look over to Chase, unable to take my eyes off him. I might hate him—or at least, that’s been my mantra since he forced me out of his life—but seeing his handsome face, my resolve quickly begins to dwindle.

  It seems he’s having the same problem because, each time I return my eyes to him, he doesn’t even seem to be aware there’s a wedding happening in front of him, his gaze locked on mine. His blues are mesmerizing, and I lose myself within them. When the officiant invites Jo and Drew to read their vows, I force myself to focus on them, and without even looking at Chase, I can sense the heat of his stare on me. Honestly, it leaves me feeling hot under the collar—if I wasn’t wearing a dress, that is.

  Drew begins with his vows to Jo, and the tears I’ve managed to keep at bay so far during the ceremony begin to fall effortlessly again.

  “Sugar, from the very first moment we met, I knew you were the one. I mean, yes, it was two in the morning, and you were yelling at me because I had my music too loud, but that fiery soul is what made me fall in love with you. You were this beautiful mess with a broken heart, and somewhere along the way, you let me in. Bit by bit, with my charm, charisma, and good looks,” he boasts arrogantly with a shit-eating grin on his face, and everyone laughs, “I was able to put it back together, put you back together. And, now, I can’t believe my lucky stars that I get to marry the love of my life. I once told you that you were my once-in-a-lifetime and that I was your second chance and that it didn’t matter how we found each other because all that mattered was us, and I still believe that. All that matters is you, me, Junior, a
nd our baby girl,” he says, gently pressing his hand to Jo’s stomach, and I swear, I swoon so hard. I’m also grinning from ear to ear at his announcement that they’re having a girl. They were going to wait until the birth, but I guess they couldn’t wait a second longer without knowing.

  “I can’t wait to live the rest of my life with you, our forever. I love you so much, sugar.” He leans in closer and wipes at her falling tears. “Your turn, baby.”

  She nods, and after taking a deep breath, she clears her throat before speaking, “After I lost Christopher, I didn’t think I could ever love again, and when I moved to Austin, it was honestly the best thing I ever did because, if I hadn’t, I would never have met my soul mate. You made it possible for me to believe again, to love again, and I’m so thankful that my next-door neighbor was you. You saved me, and you will forever by my Captain America. I love you, and I can’t wait to become Mrs. Greyson.”

  “That sounds so damn sexy on you, sugar,” he tells her, and everyone laughs again.

  As I wipe away at my falling tears, they go on to exchange rings, and before we know it, the officiant gets to the part that I know Drew has been eagerly waiting for. I can just see it in the animalistic way he’s staring at Jo that he’s dying to smack one on her.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” he tells Drew.

  Without missing a beat, he steps closer, places his hands on either side of Jo’s face, and brushes his lips to hers. He quickly deepens the kiss, and everyone cheers and claps. My eyes instinctively fall on Chase again, and when our eyes meet, it’s as if we were being transported back to that sports bar when I saw him for a second time all those months ago. Everything around us dissolves until it feels like we’re the only two people on this planet because that’s what happens when he’s in my vicinity; I forget about everyone and everything around us.

  I’m soon jostled back to planet Earth, and I’m thankful when the photographer appears to take the wedding pictures, meaning I can avoid Chase for as long as possible. Unfortunately, the pictures don’t take long, but when I sneak a peek at Chase, I breathe a sigh of relief when I see him talking to Tyler and Mia. It means I get to dodge him for a while longer. I take that time to throw back a couple of champagnes and mingle with the guests around the bar as the wait staff prepares the seating for the reception.

  I’m talking to Tyler’s brother, Ashton, and Ashton’s wife, Ava, when I feel Chase’s presence creep up behind me, and I know I can’t avoid him any longer. I make him wait though, playing a little hard to get. Eventually, when they both excuse themselves, I finally turn around, and my entire skin prickles with heat when our eyes meet. Sipping my champagne—mostly for courage—I take a step forward and then another until we meet halfway.

  “Hi,” he greets, smiling.

  “Hey,” I say to him, not smiling.

  I watch as he appreciatively looks me up and down, and it’s hard to be unaffected when the heat behind his stare makes it impossible to breathe.

  “Wow, you look incredible, so beautiful,” he compliments.

  I’m pissed off with my heart at the way it gallops inside my chest at his words. Then, my eyes defy me as I take in his incredible body in his dark, sleek, tailored suit. And having a baby hanging from his chest only adds to the hotness. It takes me a few seconds to tear my gaze from his muscular body and refocus my attention to his face.

  “What are you doing here?” I finally ask in a take-no-shit attitude.

  “I was sent an invitation. Actually, I was handed an invitation by Jace a few weeks ago—after he punched me in the face.”

  That takes me aback. “Jace punched you?” I ask in surprise.

  Shit.

  “Yes, although, in fairness, I deserved it, and I’m glad he did it because it knocked some sense into me.”

  I shake my head, shocked that Jace punched him. Out of all my brothers, he’s actually the tame one.

  “I can’t believe he punched you,” I state with a disbelieving laugh.

  “Well, he did warn me, if I hurt you, he would kick my ass, so he was only holding up his side of the deal.”

  The laughter falls from my lips, and the hurt he caused comes back with a vengeance; it must show because Chase’s eyes turn down with regret. He looks as if he’s about to say something, but he’s interrupted by the sound of fussing coming from against his chest. My eyes go to his daughter, and I watch the way he begins to sway side to side, tapping gently against her bottom. Her slight cries stop immediately, and she seems to fall back to sleep again.

  “It suits you, being a father. Is it everything you thought it would be?”

  He laughs, shaking his head. “Um, no, not quite. I never thought I could ever feel so tired. Most days, I feel like a walking zombie. It’s a little easier now that I hired a nanny for when I’m at work, but it’s hard. So hard.” He smiles down at her and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “But she’s worth it. I didn’t think I could love someone as small as her so much, but I do. She’s incredible.”

  I lean closer to him and watch her as she sleeps against his chest. “She’s beautiful,” I tell him, reaching my hand to stroke the golden strands of her fine hair.

  “Do you want to hold her?” he asks.

  I look up at him in surprise. “Can I?” I ask with a smile. The first smile I’ve thrown his way all evening.

  He nods as I set my champagne glass down on a nearby table. “Yes. It’s about time my daughter meets the woman I love.”

  My eyes flash to his, and my heart comes to a halt.

  “L-love?” I stutter because damn he’s taken me off guard. I know he said he loved me, but that was nearly two months ago.

  A lot can change in two months…

  Goose bumps travel up my arm at the feel of his fingers grazing along my hand.

  “Baby, I never stopped loving you, not for a single second.”

  He’s never stopped loving me?

  I want to tell him that he lost the right to love me when he broke my heart, but instead, I’m utterly speechless as he takes Sophia out of the baby carrier, holding her with so much love that it’s radiating from him. I want to keep being mad at him, but seeing him with Sophia, being such an incredible and attentive dad, makes the anger fade away.

  “Here…” he says as he places her in my arms.

  Once I’m holding her with both arms, I bring her to my chest, and the sweet baby scent and warmth take over, making me feel all fuzzy inside. Then, she opens her eyes, and the instant her bright blues lock on to me, I fall head over heels in love with her.

  “Oh, wow.” I gasp, and the motherly instincts I’ve always felt deep within the core of me rise to the surface, wanting to protect, love, and cherish her. It’s weird, but I don’t even know her, yet I already love her like she’s my own.

  “Hi, Sophia. Hey…” I say to her, softly gazing down at her in amazement. “You are just the cutest baby ever. I want to keep you all to myself. I don’t think I want to give you back to your dada. I just want to keep you forever,” I whisper to her in my baby voice.

  She seems utterly captivated by my every word. I lift her tiny hand in mine and press my lips to her hand, her skin so soft and delicate.

  “You can keep her forever,” Chase says, and I tear my eyes away from her and stare up at him. “Just as long as you’ll keep me forever, too.”

  I glance back down to Sophia before looking back up at Chase, my heart thundering in my chest. “Chase…you can’t say that after weeks of nothing. You pushed me away. You hurt me,” I whisper, pain lacing every word.

  He inches forward, and suddenly, he feels incredibly close. Too close.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you. I hate myself for causing you an ounce of pain,” he begins, sincerity pouring out in his voice. “I was an idiot to let you walk out of my life, and I’ve spent two miserable months without you when we could have been starting our lives together. I pushed you away for all the wrong reasons. I was so scare
d that you’d hurt me like Olivia did that I felt the only way I could bring Sophia up was as a single parent, to avoid her ever getting caught up in that kind of hurt, the kind of hurt I experienced during the majority of my marriage.”

  My heart races as he speaks, my eyes transfixed on him. The vulnerability in his voice almost brings me to my knees.

  “But I should never have compared you to Olivia because you aren’t her, and you never will be. I’m sorry for thinking you could ever hurt me when you’ve only ever been my rock. I hope you’re able to give me a second chance because I love you, and I want to spend my forever with you. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to win you back, and I will do just about anything to have you back in my life. Anything.”

  My bottom lip trembles at his declaration.

  Um…wow.

  What do I say to that?

  I want to continue hating him, but it’s impossible when he’s just poured his entire heart and soul to me, and he is finally giving me what I’ve wanted since the moment I locked eyes on him. Him. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out because Tyler ruins our moment by coming over. He claps Chase on the back.

  “Hey, sorry to interrupt,” he tells us both and then looks to me. “But you’re needed, maid of honor. We’re about to be seated for dinner.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right there,” I say to Tyler. My eyes latch on to Chase as Tyler walks off. “Duty calls,” I explain before reluctantly handing Sophia back to him. “Are you sticking around?” I ask, my voice thick with emotion as he takes Sophia into his arms, his eyes never once leaving mine.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he declares.

  And I know he doesn’t just mean tonight; he means forever. With one final look at him, I turn and head to my allocated table.

  Once everyone is sitting down, Tyler begins with the welcome toast, and like the funny guy he is, he has everyone laughing within the first minute. Dinner is served shortly afterward, and once we’ve all finished, I stand and say my toast. It’s very short and sweet, and of course, I start crying before getting everyone to raise their champagne glasses for the newlyweds. The best man follows, and for an eight-year-old, Junior sure kicks ass with his toast. He mostly just talks about his mom and how he was glad she met Drew and how he loves Drew like a dad. Honestly, it’s a miracle I have any makeup left from all the crying I’ve done today.