A what?
Gwen dismissed her pending question with a look. “It’s a British thing, just go with it.”
Gabi placed the tiny coin in the bottom of her shoe with a giggle.
Music started to play outside and the women waddled toward the door.
Sam handed Gabi her bouquet and pulled a strand of hair from her perfectly messy bun. The kind of hairstyle Hunter couldn’t resist.
Gabi looked through the open door to find her brother staring with an open mouth.
“I’ll see you out there.” Sam kissed her cheeks and left the two of them alone.
“My God, tesoro . . . Hunter is a lucky man.”
She took her brother’s hands in hers as he kissed her cheek. “This is what you want, Gabi? You’re not married . . . you can walk away now and—”
She placed a finger over her brother’s lips before resting her hand on his shoulder. “My life isn’t complete without him. I want your blessing, Val. Completely.”
“You have it. Papa would be proud.”
Gabi glanced at the ceiling. “I like to think he’s here.”
Val kissed her fingers before offering his arm.
The island courtyard had been fashioned for a wedding. A string quartet started the march, and everyone stood and turned her way.
Gabi matched Hunter’s stare, felt his excitement as much as her own as she approached. Dangerously handsome, Gabriella was selfishly claiming him a second time.
Val placed her hand in Hunter’s before taking his seat.
“You’re stunning,” he said once she was by his side.
“You say that to all the women you’re about to marry.”
He kissed her hand. “You sure this is what you want?”
She felt the eyes of everyone watching them . . . listening to their intimate conversation. “Well, since you refuse to step in front of a bus, and I’m not going to let any other woman have you, this looks like the best option.”
They were both holding back laughter as the priest cleared his throat.
Blake tapped Hunter on the shoulder.
Hunter lifted a hand in the air. “One more thing.”
He leaned in. “I love you,” he whispered right before he kissed her.
They turned toward the priest.
“Ready now?” he asked.
They nodded together.
“Dearly beloved . . .”
Acknowledgments
The entire Weekday Bride Series has been a journey from page one of Sam and Blake’s story in Wife by Wednesday. From rejection to the New York Times, Wife by Wednesday and all its amazing readers made me the luckiest romance writer in the world. For every person who helped me to this point . . . thank you!
For bloggers, such as Sara from Harlequin Junkies, to my street team filled with dedicated fans and readers who pimp better than any Sunset Strip “manager” out there . . . I can’t thank you all enough.
I have to thank Crystal Posey, my personal assistant who keeps me sane in insane times. Not to mention your cover art ROCKS!
For Angel/Sandra–My critique partner. I say it in every acknowledgment, I mean it in every breath I take, thank you! You call me out when I’m being lazy in my writing, you make me want to please you . . . make me want to be a better writer.
Jane Dystel and everyone at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. You are the cornerstone of agents. You set the bar, Jane. Your father must have been extremely proud to have you as his daughter. For me, I say your name with pride. Thank you for being a part of my world . . . in literature and in life.
For my Montlake team . . . time to shout out names. Kelli, my editor, who simply gets me. Susan, who makes the extra effort and works with whatever I throw at her . . . for Jessica who never misses a beat, even with those crazy-ass things on her desk . . . and Thom . . . with your long hair and magnetic smile . . . and your ability to set into action the tools I need to reach readers. For JoVon and Hai Yen and even Jeff Belle of Amazon Publishing who believed in me throughout this series. Thank you.
Now let me get back to Tiffany.
I dedicated this book to you for a couple of reasons. Yes, I lost the bet and had to use your name as a character . . . Tiffany Stone wasn’t a name pulled out of a hat. Funny that I didn’t know you had wicked typing skills until after I sent you that passage about my character . . .
Dedicating this book to you is karma at its best. I would never have met you had this series not taken off. And while I’ve only really gotten to know you well in the past couple of years . . . it reminds me of the last heroine in the Weekday Brides. Gabi might not have known these characters a few years ago, but they become significant now. As you have to me. Thank you for your friendship. It means more than you know.
Now . . . let’s talk about some Holiday Brides . . . shall we?
Thank you readers . . . I’ll be seeing you again . . .