Page 40 of Roundabout

Bentlee finishes separating my curls to perfection, so I slide out slowly, making sure I don’t snag my dress’s somewhat poufy skirt on anything. She follows me out, her husband helping keep her turtleneck sweater dress from riding up.

After I thank both women for everything, they trudge over to where I’ll be meeting and marrying Coty somewhere on the other side of my Jeep. I’ve been careful to only look forward and not behind me, something I should do more of.

Drew eventually leaves to get in position, then it’s just me and two of my old neighbors.

“Well? Can you believe we finally made it here?” I ask them both, and they smile, shaking their heads.

None of us could’ve guessed this is where we’d be, or how long it’d take us, but I’m glad we managed to stay together. Beckett and Marc are as much my safe place as Coty.

“I thought it’d be sooner,” Marc admits.

“I thought you’d make our boy wait forever. Poor bastard’s been pining after you for a decade.”

They both have wives and kids now, but they’ve always been these amazingly complicated men that would take on the world for those they love, whether they were asked to or not. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Beckett and Marc grow these last ten years, and while there have definitely been some growing pains along the way, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Except for when they accused me of cheating on Coty. I didn’t enjoy that.

“Thanks for keeping Coty company while he waited. And thanks for not giving up on me…fully.”

“We didn’t give up on you. We just…”

“I know. As much as it hurt to have you two turn against me, even momentarily,” I add at Marc’s clenched jaw because he can say it was Beckett all he wants, but he was there, too, confronting me with his scariest scowl. “I understand you were just trying to protect your friend, your brother. I’d expect nothing less.”

“We’re sorry we doubted you.”

“Will you forgive us?” Beckett gives his best puppy-dog eyes.

I wait a minute, letting them sweat a bit before rolling my eyes and saying, “Of course. I love you too much to stay mad at you.” Besides, I have a pretty good idea how they can make it up to me.

“Do not!” Beckett shouts, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Do not make me cry right now.”

“I’m sorry, too,” I tell them honestly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell either of you what I was planning.” Beckett hates being in the dark about anything because he doesn’t like being left out, period, and Marc’s kept enough of his own secrets to know it doesn’t always end well. It did for us this time, but only because our family is strong enough to survive anything now. Each of us has our own individual strengths, but together, we’re impenetrable.

I’ll never lose sight of that again.

“We would’ve had your back.”

I nod as I glance from Marc to Beckett.

“We would’ve got those girls for you, Angie.”

“I know you would’ve, but I needed to prove I could do it myself. They’re more…mine that way.”

They glance at each other over my head, and Marc shakes his, saying, “Still.”

“Still what?”

Beckett answers, saying, “You still question your worth.”

“You’re worthy of Brittni and Makya, Angela,” Marc tells me.

Just as serious, Beckett says, “You’re worthy of this family.”

“You’re worthy of me,” Coty says unexpectedly.

We look over to see him standing several feet away, dressed in an all-black suit only broken up by his crisp white dress shirt peeking out between the jacket’s lapels, taking in each of his best friends before settling his gaze on me, starting at my feet and making his way up to my face. Shimmery pools fill his eyes and he doesn’t so much as blink, adamant that I see it all.

That same wedding I stumbled across with the literary blooms, I remember the groom and bride shared a similar first moment. It was almost palpable—the pure adoration on her part and the complete reverence on his. I was so jealous, jealous of the look he gave her, of the deep love they so obviously shared, because I never thought I’d have it. Now I just feel sorry for that couple. Their connection doesn’t come close to ours.