Southern Storm (Southern 3)

“Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?” I ask, then smile as the tears come. “Of course they did. You’re Beau.”

We both look at the street when we hear a car door slam. Jacob gets out of his truck and walks to the stairs, and he sits down on the last step. “I’m so fucking done.”

“You and me both,” I say.

“Well, you guys have a couple of hours before we need to be ready,” Beau says, and we both look at him. “We’re getting married,” he tells me. “Today at three.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Beau

“We are getting married.” She doesn’t know if I’m asking her or telling her, so I just nod.

“Today?”

“Today,” I say and look at Jacob who stares at me with the same look of surprise that’s on Savannah’s face.

When we pulled up to her bar, and I saw the flames, I knew there would be no saving it. I also knew that the bar was a piece of her, and now it would be gone forever. I also knew that this would be another reason for her to want to leave, so I had to act fast in order to make her stay because losing her was not an option at this point. “Don’t you need a license or something?” Savannah looks at me and then at Jacob.

“I’m the mayor,” I say. “I know who to call.”

“But …” she says. “But it’s not worth it anymore.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, and she throws her hands up.

“There is nothing else they can take from me.” She stands up, and I stand with her. “Literally, they have taken everything I have.”

“So you are just going to let them win?” I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

“I’ve lost every single time.” Her voice goes low. “Might as well lose this round, too.”

“You have seven hours,” I say after I look at my watch. “Come hell or high water, we’re getting married today.”

“You’re serious?” She finally sees that I’m not joking. “You really want to get married today?”

“I do.” I smile. “See that? I’m practicing.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out, and when she thinks of something else, she opens her mouth again, but literally nothing comes out. “You’re going to catch flies if you keep your mouth open much longer,” I say, and she glares at me.

“I don’t even have a dress,” she says.

“Lies,” I say. “You went shopping last week and bought two dresses for my party, and well, you only wore one.”

She glares at me. “You’re annoying when you try to sound like you know everything.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Go eat and then go shower.”

“This is crazy.” She throws her hands up.

“I don’t say this often,” Jacob says from beside me, “but she’s right.”

I turn to glare at him. “Today at three, you’re the best man.” I grab his shoulder.

“Ohh,” he says. “I’ve never been the best man before.”

“You two,” she huffs up the steps, “are not thinking straight.”

“I’ve never been more sure in my whole life,” I say while I look in her eyes. She doesn’t say anything else as she walks into the house and slams the door shut behind her.

“I don’t know much about weddings,” Jacob says, “but pissing off the bride on the day of the wedding is not a good thing.” The front door opens, and Kallie comes out now.

“What did you do to Savannah?” she asks, folding her arms over her chest. “She stormed in and stomped up the steps.” I smile. “It sounded just like Ethan did last week when I said he couldn’t play video games on a school night.”

“We’re getting married,” I say, and I can’t explain how happy I feel right this minute.

Jacob holds up his hand when he sees that Kallie is going to ask something. “In case you were wondering when, it’s today at three.”

“What?” she shrieks. “Today?”

“Today,” I repeat. “Oh, do you think she would want to get married at sunset instead?”

“I think she would want to get married when she has a dress and flowers,” Kallie says. “And maybe her hair done.”

“I don’t care what she wears,” I say, and Kallie rolls her eyes.

“We’re aware,” Kallie says, “but this is a wedding.”

“Can we at least push it back a couple of hours?” Kallie says. “Get maybe a couple of people to help decorate or something?”

“You would do that?” I ask, not sure she would have even wanted to come.

“Listen, she isn’t my best friend,” she starts and looks at Jacob, “but she’s Ethan’s mom and seeing Ethan happy is something that everyone has in common.”

“I agree,” Jacob says. “Plus, this is a big deal.”

I don’t disagree with him. It is a huge deal. Her as my wife is everything that I’ve ever dreamed of. “Okay, whatever you want. Three, five, seven, don’t care as long as by tonight, we are married.”