Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

Ryan’s eyes are shiny with tears as he holds Sofia in his arms. “I’m thankful I get to watch, and I know he is too.” Amelia presses her lips together, and I reach up, taking her hand in mine. She looks down at me, and I know she’ll always be mine.

Our souls are meant to be together.

She tears her gaze from me to look down the table at Sofia. “My dad would be proud to call you his daughter-in-law, Sofia. You complete my brother in a way no one else could ever do. I am thankful, and I am blessed to be able to call you my sister. So, let’s all lift our glasses and wish these two the best. Tomorrow will be one hell of a happy day, and I can’t wait to watch y’all become one.”

Everyone cheers loudly as they raise their glasses. When Amelia sits down, I pull her in, kissing her cheek. “Not a dry eye in the house.”

She looks at me, her lips quivering. “I love you.”

It’s like she’s punched me dead in the chest. Her words are so raw, so full of emotion. “I love you.”

Her grin lights up her eyes, but then she is being pulled up into a tight hug by her brother and then Sofia. Cameras are going off everywhere, and I know those pictures will be cherished. The conversation sparks back up once dessert is served. I’m halfway through my banana pudding when I notice Ryan get up and head out the back. I draw in my brows, confused, before I get up and follow him. Amelia is chatting with Shelli and Sofia, so I’m sure she won’t notice.

It’s chilly out, but the heaters make it tolerable. I step out onto the terrace to find Ryan leaning on the railing with a beer in his hand. I walk up beside him, and he looks over at me, his face melancholy. “You all right?” I ask, my heart aching for the dude. I’m pretty sure I know what’s wrong.

“Yeah, just missing my dad.”

Just as I thought. “He’s here,” I say, tapping his chest.

“You’re right, but Amelia gutted me.”

I nod. “Yeah, that was rough.”

“She’s right, though. I remember when he said that, and it’s true. I want to give Sofia everything.”

And I want to give Amelia everything. “That’s great, man.”

“You and my sister are disgustingly in love, by the way.”

I snort as I nod my head. “Yeah. She’s incredible.”

“She is,” he agrees, taking a deep breath. “She’s really happy with you.”

“I am with her, too.”

A large grin takes up his face. “Guess you two will be next.”

He laughs, but I just look at him. I didn’t plan this, nor did I feel this was the time, but I reach into my pocket, pulling out the little blue box. I hand it to him, and he takes it with his brow arched. “What’s this?” he asks as he opens it to see the ring I know Amelia will love. It’s a rope-style band with a large one-and-a-half-carat diamond. “Well hell, you know I can’t marry you. I’m marrying Sofia.”

I roll my eyes as I take it back from him, tucking it into my pocket. “I bought it yesterday.”

“It’s great. I think she’ll love it.”

“Is it okay?” I ask, and he nods.

“I told you she’ll love it.”

I shake my head. “No. I mean, is it okay if I ask Amelia to marry me?”

“Oh,” he says, and he looks away. I don’t know what he is thinking, and my heart nearly falls out of my chest as I wait for the answer. “You think she’ll say yes?”

“I hope so,” I say, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. “I want her to.”

“It hasn’t been that long.”

“I know, but I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

He grips my shoulder as his eyes meet mine. Such compassion and love are visible in them as he stares me down. “Man, you’ve awakened that girl. She’s my sister again, and I can’t even think of a better person for her.”

“Really?”

“Really. And you know what? I hope she says yes.”

“You don’t think she will?”

He shrugs. “I want her to.”

My heart jumps up into my throat, making it really hard to breathe.

I hadn’t even considered that she might say no.

“Me too.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Amelia

Sofia looks like a bohemian princess.

Her hair is up in a beautiful bun with braids encircling it and white flowers adding to the elegance. Her white chiffon dress is long-sleeved, but it cuts down low, showing a serious gap of skin between her breasts. The curve of her breasts provides the somewhat modest dress a bit of sexiness. The gown drapes down her body, not hugging her but still showing off her figure. The sleeves billow at her wrists as she stands with her hands in Ryan’s.

From where I am standing, I can only see Ryan, and the look on his face is blissful. Tears gather in his eyes as Sofia speaks. “I’ll never love anyone the way I love you. I found you early. So early, and you were so patient with me. You went at my speed, but you never gave up on me, even when I wanted to get rid of you.”