Page 123 of All for Love

EPILOGUE

MERCEDES

Eighteen Months Later

Kaden and Brooke’s wedding day was absolutely stunning. We’d woken up this morning to a perfectly blue sky with only the slightest breeze rustling through the trees, and things had proceeded just as beautifully from there.

So far, the event was a total knockout. The greenhouse venue they’d chosen was full of gorgeous flowers and the glass enclosure was strung up with lights. Their DJ was a master at reading the room and the food had been incredible.

With the ceremony over and the reception in full swing, I looked around from where I sat at our places at the main table, and I suddenly understood why Kaden had turned down his father’s offer to host the wedding at the estate.

He and Mom had suggested a ceremony in the garden, and since it was June, I thought it would’ve been magnificent, but the bridal couple had said no. They’d opted for something that was their own, and I hadn’t really gotten it before.

I hadn’t told anyone but Kody, but I really hadn’t understood why they’d turn down a free venue with a summer garden more beautiful than most places other couples paid tens of thousands of dollars for. Now, however, I realized that this greenhouse was perfect for them.

With the see-through glass walls and ceilings, it was like we were outside—just with the added bonus that we’d have been safe if it had rained. Stars shone down on us though, thankfully, and that made it feel the heavens themselves were blessing this union.

Or maybe that’s just the champagne talking.

Smiling to myself as I got up to hunt down my boyfriend, I wondered if it would be too much if he and I chose a greenhouse venue one day too. Not that we were looking for a venue. We weren’t even engaged yet, so we hadn’t needed to find one.

After those first couple of conversations we’d had about it, we’d put the subject of marriage and kids away and we hadn’t taken it out or dusted it off just yet. I’d been dropping hints about it for the last couple of months, but so far, there was no ring in sight.

On the other hand, I knew he probably didn’t want to steal his brother’s thunder by proposing and then planning a wedding at the same time, which was great. ExceptI’m so damn ready now.

As I weaved my way through the guests, I thought back over the last eighteen months. Once the dust of us being in a relationship had settled with our family, we’d slowly started finding our own groove. With no more hiding and no more secrets, even my mother had quickly realized how good we were together.

Kody and I still challenged each other, but we also laughed a lot. Our playful banter and joking made for pretty lively family dinners now that we didn’t have to suppress it, and instead of trying to find a way out of holidays and special events, we were now the go-to helpers when planning.

All things considered, if anyone had told me the morning after my mother’s wedding that things would get this good with me and Kody, I’d have dragged him right back to that estate and told them all the truth immediately.

I smiled when I walked around a large arrangement of flowers and spotted Kody and Kaden together at the bar. There had been a time when I was so scared I’d ruined their relationship, but it turned out their bond couldn’t be severed.

They were once again as thick as thieves and had been since Kaden had stuck up for us that Christmas Eve. With both now in committed relationships and their dad settled as well, they claimed they were even closer now than they had been before.

We all spent a lot of time together these days, more especially so after Kody had finally taken the leap and talked to his dad. Then they’d gone fishing with Kaden for a weekend and I still wasn’t entirely sure what’d happened on the trip, but after they’d gotten home, it had been like they’d solved all the world’s problems.

Well, their world’s problems, anyway. I was happy for them, though. Really freaking happy.

As I approached them at the bar, Kaden saw me coming and turned to the bartender. By the time I stepped up beside them, the man put a lemon drop shot down in front of me. Kaden grinned. “We’re celebrating. Thanks for all your help, Mercedes. Brooke and I would’ve been lost without you.”

“She’s an organizational force to be reckoned with,” Kody said proudly, sliding his arm around my shoulders and kissing my temple before he handed over my shot. “To another successful Wagner wedding.”

I raised my little glass, trying my utmost best not to innocently ask when the next Wagner wedding would be. Kaden shot me a knowing look as he clinked his glass against mine. Then we all tossed back our drinks and I grinned when the music started fading.

“Come on. It’s time for the bouquet toss, gentlemen.” I grabbed both their hands and dragged them to the dance floor with me, wondering why Kody suddenly had a nervous, faraway glint in his eyes and Kaden seemed excited all over again.

He was beaming and practically radiating with it as we reached the chair in the center of the dance floor and he went to Brooke’s side. She was a stunning bride, her dress traditional and lacy with a sweetheart neckline and her only jewelry—except for the ring, of course—a simple gold necklace with an infinity pendant resting against her chest.

Since I’d helped them plan the wedding, I’d known what her dress looked like but she was so much more radiant tonight than she had been in the shop that she took even my breath away now. I smiled at her when she shot me a glance over her shoulder.

She winked at me and hoisted the bouquet a bit higher, and I laughed. Usually, I hated this part of the night but now I was mentally salivating for those flowers. The DJ playfully threw on a loop track of the Jeopardy theme and Mom and Mr. Wagner chuckled as they held hands where they sat on their chairs right up against the dance floor.

Brooke’s mom was snapping pictures even though they had a professional photographer, and as the bridesmaids and other single women gathered around me, I hoped she was about to get a shot of me catching her daughter’s bouquet.

I locked eyes with Kody, who was standing off to the side with the rest of the men, and he cupped his hands around his mouth, mouthing “Good luck.” He looked so handsome in his fitted black tux with those blue eyes sparkling in the twinkle lights that I nearly got teary just staring at him.

So beautiful, inside and out. And all mine. It’s just not official yet.I kicked off my heels, and if I had sleeves, I’d have rolled them up. I want to catch that bouquet, damn it.