Their lives had taken the shape fate had meant them to take all along.
And it would all be perfect, Jessie thought, as she stood in the encircling curve of her husband’s arm—they’d both agreed that they didn’t want to be separated, not even for the hours prior to their wedding. It would be perfect, but for one thing.
“You’re thinking about Bill,” she said softly.
Liam nodded. It was the first time she’d referred to William by his nickname. Liam knew that, in some subtle way, it marked a passage in their lives.
“Yeah,” he said. “I am. I didn’t really expect him to come.” He ran an index finger under his collar. “I just thought—”
“Liam?”
“I thought, well, maybe he’d realize that our friendship—”
“Liam.” Jessie looked up at Liam and smiled. “He’s here, darling.”
Liam stiffened, then looked across the room. Bill and Carrie were coming toward them. A huge smile broke over his face.
“Bill.” He stepped forward. “Man, I’m so happy you—”
“Me, too.”
The men stared at each other. Then Liam held out his hand and Bill clasped it.
“Good to see you,” Bill said.
“Yeah.” Liam grinned. “Same here.”
Bill let go of Liam’s hand and drew a smiling Carrie forward. “We’re engaged, Carrie and I.” He looped his arm around her shoulders. “Crazy, isn’t it? That so much good came out of this whole thing?”
“I think it’s wonderful.” Jessie touched her cheek to Carrie’s. Then she took Liam’s arm and smiled at the others. “Just wonderful.”
“So,” Bill said briskly, after a moment had gone by, “what’s the deal here, huh? Did you manage to bribe some poor slob into standing up for you?”
Liam laughed, though Jessie noticed his green eyes were suspiciously bright.
“Actually, I figured, why go to all that trouble when the best man of my choice was going to show up any minute?”
Bill grinned. “You really sure you want to do this, Malone? Sign your freedom away to one woman?”
“Absolutely.” Liam turned to Jessie and took her in his arms. “For all of my life.”
Jessie smiled. “Forever,” she said, and kissed the only man she had ever, would ever, love.
* * * * *