A Merry Vested Wedding

I returned to the table and picked up my glass.

“She’s gone,” I said morosely.

Someone clapped me on the back, and I shut my eyes.

Suddenly, Emmy was in front of me, shaking my shoulder, her beautiful dark eyes staring into mine. “Come on, Rigid. It’s time to go home.”

I looked around, noticing the balcony was empty except for Aiden. He winked at me, sipping his scotch. Someone had drunk all of mine.

Bastard.

“Is the wedding done?”

She smiled. She was so beautiful. Even more beautiful than the girl I married. I loved her more now than ever.

Her smile became wider. “I know.”

“Am I drunk?” I whispered.

“Ah, a little. You knocked them back pretty fast.” She tugged on my hands. “You need to go home to bed and sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“Weren’t you going to have your wicked way with me?”

She laughed, wrapping her arm around my waist. “That was your line, and maybe we’ll save that until the morning.”

“Oh.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Is Aiden coming with us?”

He stood, laughing. “Right behind you, Bent. Always am.”

I had to smile.

He was. My best friend and business partner was always there. So were Maddox and my whole extended family. And I had my Emmy.

I was a lucky man.

Emmy squeezed my waist. “Yes, you are.”

“Aiden?”

“Yeah?”

“I survived my baby girl getting married.”

“You did good, Bent.”

The balcony tilted a little. I leaned into Emmy but spoke over my shoulder to Aiden.

“Gonna pass out now.”

“I was expecting that.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

And I was gone.