by Denise Wells
“They sound sweet,” I say.
Remi looks at me. “You won’t be saying that the fifth time you catch one of them pinching Brad’s ass.”
I almost choke on my drink, which I was sipping as she spoke.
“And,” she continues, “they will drink us all out of house and home.”
She gestures with her glass toward the backyard. I turn and see two older women playing a dice game with a bottle of tequila and shot glasses, and in the time that I’m watching, both have to take a shot.
“How is Lexie?”
“She’s all aglow with baby number two-itis. I can’t even imagine how easy life would be with one newborn at a time. Her and Cole still bang like bunnies, make more money than god, and she won another wine award lately. She’s on cloud fucking nine-point-nine.” Remi takes a sip of her margarita.
Brad makes his way over to us and slips an arm around me.
“Excuse me while I go find my husband,” Remi says. “There are enough adults around to ensure my kids don’t die, so I can grab him for a quickie in the bathroom.”
“Master bathroom,” Brad and I both say at the same time.
Remi stops and turns back, looking at us, one perfectly arched brow raised.
“Bigger vanity.” I shrug.
She laughs and wiggles her fingers over her shoulder as a goodbye. Brad chuckles and leans in to nuzzle my neck. “I love you,” he says.
I stop and turn toward him, looking him in the eye, seeing the honesty there.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I was going to tell you today.”
“I told you first.” He winks, making me smile. I melt into him, turning my head to the side so I can stay in his embrace and watch the party. All these people, who have become such a huge part of my life, who I never thought I would grow close to, and now who I can’t imagine ever living without.
Especially the man holding me tight in his arms.
I look to the sky and mouth a thank you to Kat for helping me pick up the pieces of both our lives and turn them into something whole again.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
BRAD
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Ethan asks as he helps me adjust my tie.
“I am. I feel good.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” He smiles and steps back, patting me on the shoulders with the palms of his hands. I check my reflection in the mirror.
This is as good as it gets.
Baby Audrey gurgles from her spot on the floor. Ethan leans down and swoops her up, peppering kisses along her belly. She giggles and shrieks, spouting nonsense.
Then she sees me and holds her arms out. I step forward and take her. She immediately grabs my tie and shoves it in her mouth. I don’t care. I’m now convinced this is the best part of life. Slobber on your tie right before you get married.
Ethan and I are on baby duty while Sadie assists Tenley with whatever it is brides do on their big day. It didn’t take long for me to propose to Tenley after I admitted I loved her. But it took a while for her to agree on a date. I wasn’t taking any chances this time. I had the girl, she was wearing my ring, and I was tying that shit down and making it official as soon as possible.
I wasn’t getting any younger, which Tenley liked to jokingly remind me as gray started to pepper my sideburns this year. And, as I know all too well, life is short and not to be wasted. Tenley went with me to tell Kat we were engaged, and she admitted how she sometimes talks to her too.
At first, I was conflicted on that, but then I decided that I liked that my girls were close and accepted one another. I am so thankful every day for Tenley, for her patience and enormous capacity for love. Not a lot of women could live with my remaining attachment to Kat, let alone accept it.
She’s not only done both, but she’s also embraced it.
I return my attention back to Audrey after she whacks me on the nose with a screech, and plant kisses all over her chubby little cheeks while she screams with laughter. She makes me want a baby, sometimes. Tenley and I have talked about it, and agree we’re just about ready . . . for a dog. We’ve been to the rescue a few times but have yet to connect with one. I’m hoping to remedy that after our honeymoon.
“It’s time,” Ethan says looking at his watch.
“Let’s go.”
The three of us make our way down the hallway to the large garden backyard hosting the wedding. The home is mine and Tenley’s, which we bought recently after selling Kat’s. We kept hers and mine as rentals and went in together on this one. It’s a sprawling ranch-style home on an acre of trees and native plants. The yard has been a dream come true for me, and I’ve planted my ultimate gardens, both flower and vegetable.
E and I make our way to the front of the small crowd, just fifty of our closest friends and family. I hand Audrey off to Mavis and return to stand under the arch where Nessa waits, newly ordained, to lead us in reciting our vows. She reaches over and grabs my hand, squeezing it.
I lean in and whisper, “Thank you for being here.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Bradley. I am so very proud of you.”
Her words make my chest swell. If my mom were still alive, I imagine she’d be exactly like Nessa. The music starts, and I stand straighter, clapping my hands in front of me, and prepare to watch the second love of my life walk down the aisle.
TENLEY
“I don’t remember you being this nervous,” I say to Sadie as we make our way through the house to the backyard.
“That’s because I wasn’t,” she says.
“Why not?” The closer we get to the French doors leading to the outside, the faster my heart beats and the sweatier my palms get.
“For one, I wasn’t afraid of marriage.”
“I’m not either. Anymore.”
“Really? So that your dad is waiting to walk you down the aisle, with what, wife number seven in the audience, that doesn’t freak you out?”
“Number six. And, it does now, thanks a lot.” I stop walking, forcing Sadie to stop with me.
“Look, Ten, maybe you are afraid of marriage, and that’s okay. But you aren’t afraid of being with Brad, and that makes all the difference in the world.”
“I just don’t see why we couldn’t leave everything as-is. Why muck it all up with vows and a piece of paper?” My body temperature rises, and I fan my face with my fingers.
“You know why.”
“Right. It’s important to Brad. And Brad is important to me. So, this is what we do.”
“Exactly.”
“How come it doesn’t work in the reverse?” I ask. “How come he doesn’t have to bend for me? Do what’s important to me?”
“Tenley, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting married.”
“You’re right.”
“I am right.”
I nod.
“Look,” Sadie says. “Let’s say that you didn’t take the vows or sign the paper, and everything stayed as-is?”
“Okay.” I can’t help the excitement that creeps into my voice at the thought.
“How does that make the relationship any more stable?”
“It doesn’t.”
“See?”
“But, marriage weakens the stability,” I counter.
“Does Remi’s marriage seem weak?”
“No.”
“They’ve been married for over six years.”
“Okay.”
“And you and Brad have been strong for over a year.”
“Right.”
“A few of your dad’s marriages haven’t even lasted that long.”
“Is that supposed to help?”
She puts her hands on my shoulders. “Do you love Brad?”
“With all my heart.”
“Does he love you?”
“Without question.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Okay.”
She takes my hand and we walk the rest of the way to
the backyard, where my dad is waiting to walk me down the aisle. Sadie hands me off to him and makes her way down the aisle to where Brad and Ethan are waiting. I get a small thrill out of my maid of honor, and Brad’s best man being together. It reminds me of when I was young and all my Barbie dolls were friends who hooked up with Ken dolls who were friends. I know it’s juvenile, and I don’t care.
“I’m proud of you, Pumpkin,” my dad says as we make our way down the aisle. “Crazy” by Aerosmith is playing in the background, making me laugh. That had to be Brad’s doing, since I’d thought it would be “The Wedding March.” I look up and catch his eye, and he winks at me and blows me a kiss. He looks so handsome, standing up there in his tuxedo. I can’t believe this man is mine.
My dad squeezes my hand as we go.
“Thank you, Daddy,” I say. “But there’s nothing to be proud of.”
“Oh, but there is,” he says. “I have been quite possibly the worst role model where marriage is concerned, but you haven’t let that stop you. You found your forever love, and you’re embracing it. It makes me proud to see you learn from my mistakes.”
“Oh, Daddy. They weren’t all mistakes.” We pause near the front and turn to face one another.
“Sure they were,” he replies good-naturedly. “But maybe this seventh time’s the charm.” He winks.
“I thought this was wife number six?”
“Is it?” He rubs his forefinger and thumb along his chin, as though thinking. “Well, anyway. You’ve got yourself a good man here, pumpkin. And a solid relationship. One that will stand the test of time. You done good, kid.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” I give him a kiss on the cheek. He leans over to shake Brad’s hand and give him one of those one-armed guy hugs. I hand off my bouquet to Sadie as Brad turns back toward me and takes both of my hands in his. I look up into his eyes and see the warmth and the love reflecting back at me.
As Nessa talks, welcoming everyone here, I glance over at the chair we left vacant for Kat. I’d vacillated on that, leaving a chair for the groom’s dead fiancée at the wedding of his new fiancée, but I ultimately decided that without her blessing, I’d never be here. And as I seek Brad’s gaze again, I realize there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
Hands down.
So, thank you, Kat, for the part you’ve played in this, and for giving me such an amazing man and the promise of a beautiful life.
Acknowledgments
This book was crazy emotional for me to write. Brad’s grief is very much my own and following his journey was a catharsis that I never expected to experience. The character of Kat is intertwined with my best friend, Courtney, who passed in 2016 from metastatic breast cancer. Though Kat’s story is not based on Courtney’s life, there are emotional connections for me between the two. Which is why I am so fucking lucky to have the support system that I do.
Rachel Radner - As always, you are my rock, my right hand, and I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for your constant support.
Stephie Walls - You continue to inspire me with your talent and reward me with your friendship. You are my hero.
Linda Russell - Foreword PR - Thank you for your guidance and counsel, how you stay so patient with me blows my mind.
Missy Borucki - You may say you didn’t have much input with this book, but you are always there when I need you.
Jenn Wood - Thank you for helping shape my baby!
ARC Readers - That you take the time to read my words and review them is invaluable to me. I heart you all big time.
My Dirty Darlings - You are fantastic, the whole lot of you. You make me laugh, keep me on my toes, and help social media stay fun!
Jaime Reynolds, Rochelle West, Susan Henn - BEST beta readers in the world, hands down! Your feedback helps more than you’ll ever know. Thank you so much!
Remi-licious - Thank you for your constant and unwavering support - I love you!
BW - Every day I am thankful for you. Your confidence in me and consistent encouragement means everything—nothing I’m able to do would be possible without you. Thank you. I love you!
About the Author
Denise Wells has been reading since before she could talk. And to this day, escaping into a book is her go-to activity before anything else.
She’s the author of seven romance novels and one YA novel to date. She likes to write about sassy women and semi-flawed alpha-esque men. Denise’s female characters always have strong friendships, potty mouths, and like to drink—a lot.
Denise is loyal to a fault, a bit too sarcastic, blindingly optimistic, and pretty freakin’ happy with life overall. As a diehard fan of the band The Replacements, Denise would be a rock star in the band if she couldn’t be a writer. She’s even kissed the lead singer, ask her about it sometime.
Home is in the Pacific Northwest where she lives with six special needs dogs, one cat (who’s busy plotting the demise of the six dogs), and a husband (BW) who has the patience and tolerance of a saint. And, lest she forget, Denise also lives with too many to count characters inside her head, who will eventually have their stories told.
For more about Denise: visit her website.
Or follow her on any of the social media sites below.
Also by Denise Wells
LOVE IN SAN SOLOMAN
Love Undecided, Love in San Soloman, One
Love Undiscovered, Love in San Soloman, Two
Love Unforgettable, Love in San Soloman, Three
Love Unavoidable, Love in San Soloman Four
STANDALONES
Rebel without a Claus, a holiday novella (Stocking Stuffers Anthology) - look for it December 1, 2019
Dirty Ex-Mas, a holiday novella - look for it December 2, 2019
How to Ruin Your Ex’s Wedding
I Heart Mason Cartwright
Breaking Dylan, a coming of age story
Continue reading for a sneak peek of How to Ruin Your Ex’s Wedding:
Sneak Peek of How to Ruin Your Ex’s Wedding
KEEPING TABS -
SEASON ONE, EPISODE EIGHTEEN
ANNOUNCER VOICEOVER: Tabatha and her husband, Pax, are enjoying a rare date night at home with nothing but the near-hidden cameras and producers watching them. Such is life since they agreed to allow their lives and marriage to be broadcast via an online streaming service. And, once you get used to having cameras around—all day, every day—it becomes normal and much easier to forget they’re there.
Tabatha buries her head in Pax’s chest and covers her eyes. Her long red hair cascades down, hiding her face.
“I can’t watch,” Tabatha says. “I just know Mary will be eaten by zombies and I don’t want to bear witness to it.” A light squeal lends credit to her statement.
“Hey, Tabs? It’s okay to look now.” Pax chuckles, and tightens his arm around Tabatha’s shoulders for a brief beat before resting his arm along the back of the couch again. “She’s still alive. Bill sacrificed himself so she could live.”
Tabatha spreads her fingers slowly to peek between them. “Ohmigod, really? So now Bill is dead?”
“Sadly, yes.” Pax turns and kisses her forehead before returning his attention to the movie.
TABATHA VOICEOVER: Even from the safety of our living room, the threat of zombies feels real. And Bill and Mary like friends, even though they are only characters in a movie. And movies are fake. I would know, I starred in them as a kid. Besides, growing up in the land of make-believe isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure the fame and the money are great, but you are forced to exist in a constant state of suspended belief with unrealistic expectations of how the world works. Like now, I know that only the character Bill is dead, not a real person. But that doesn’t stop me from mourning his passing anyway.
“What a sacrifice.” Tabatha sighs. “I can’t believe he would do that. That’s so romantic. Giving your life for someone you love is, like, the ultimate gesture.”
“That’s not romantic,” Pax scoffs. “Bill’s a (BLEE
P) idiot.”
“It is romantic. It is,” Tabatha says. “He saved Mary’s life.”
“Baby, who cares?” Pax counters. “If she’s not complaining, she’s screaming and crying. All she’s done through the entire movie is slow Bill down. She lost the keys to the car, can’t aim a gun to save her life, literally. Not to mention she dropped their entire food supply in the river, and it washed away. Mary’s life wasn’t worth saving. Definitely not by sacrificing his own.”
Tabatha sits up and leans away from Pax.
“Of course it was,” Tabatha says. “He loves her.”
“Pfft.” Pax’s eyes don’t leave the screen.
“It’s the ultimate gesture of love.” Tabatha crosses her arms over her ample chest.
Pax looks at her, his dark eyes wide. “That’s the ultimate gesture of love?”
“Yes! He’s putting her life above his own. Showing her that she is the most important thing in the world to him. Even over himself,” Tabatha says.
PRODUCER VOICEOVER: Do you really think that Bill should let Mary be eaten by zombies?
PAX VOICEOVER: (BLEEP) I don’t know. No, probably not. I mean, regardless, it’s a stupid thing to be arguing about.
PRODUCER VOICEOVER: You really think so? I don’t know, man, if it were me and my woman was wanting me to throw myself to the zombies just so she could live, when we both knew she’d die anyway, I’d be pissed. That’s just not rational thinking.
PAX VOICEOVER: But it’s not Tabs and me, it’s Bill and Mary. And they aren’t real.
