“Heavenly,” Cameron said. “Will had to drag me away so we’ll have time to get ready.”
“How are you?” Will asked, his insightful gaze taking a perusing look at her.
“I’m fine. I enjoyed the pool.”
“Ella—”
“I’m really fine.” She patted her brother’s chest. “I’ll see you at the wedding, okay?”
“Yeah. See you then.”
As she climbed the stairs to her room, Ella realized it was going to be even worse when she got home and had to answer questions about what’d become of her and Gavin. Tears flooded her eyes when she thought about Mrs. Abernathy coming to the door when they were making love against it.
It had been the funniest, sexiest, most embarrassing, unforgettable moment of her life. How was she supposed to live without him now that she’d tasted paradise in his arms?
That question weighed heavily on her as she showered, dried and straightened her hair and dressed in the yellow dress she’d brought for the wedding. When she’d packed the dress, she’d done so with Gavin in mind, hoping he’d like how it looked on her. Hell, she’d done everything with him in mind for so long now that it would be nearly impossible to break the habit.
But break it she would. He hadn’t given her much choice in the matter.
She walked to the beachfront wedding with her siblings and their partners, all of them in a festive mood. Ella absolutely refused to be a drag, so she participated in their good-natured banter and tried to pretend like she wasn’t shattered on the inside.
When they arrived at the beach, the other Sultans, who had come from all over for Dylan’s wedding, greeted them with hugs. Thankfully, Dylan hadn’t told anyone that Gavin was supposed to be with her, so she didn’t have to answer any questions. They were a boisterous group in the best of circumstances, but never more so than when they got together for a happy occasion.
Caleb’s death had been hard on all of them, but they’d made an effort over the years to keep in touch, to keep up the traditions he’d started and to honor his memory in any way they possibly could. As always, though, the man who’d been at the center of their shenanigans was blatantly missing.
Ella could only imagine how difficult it must be for Hannah to continue to be a part of the group that was such a big aspect of Caleb’s life. But with Nolan by her side, she glowed with happiness and excitement for Dylan and Sophia. Somehow she had found the strength to move on. If only Gavin could do the same.
You’re not thinking about him. Not now.
Dylan and Jack, his best man, joined them, greeting the group with hugs and slaps on the back. Smiling from ear to ear, Dylan was tanned and wearing a pink dress shirt and khaki pants. Not every guy could pull off the pink shirt, but it suited him.
Ella stood back to watch as Hannah pinned a pink rose to his shirt and then patted his chest. He looked down at her, a thousand emotions seeming to pass between the two of them in the matter of an instant.
Hannah smiled up at him and he put his arms around her and held her tight until Nolan tapped him on the shoulder to end the emotionally charged encounter with a laugh.
Watching Hannah share a special moment with one of her late husband’s best friends left a huge lump in Ella’s throat.
They gathered in a half circle around the arbor that had been erected on the beach. It was surrounded by a stunning array of tropical flowers in bright oranges, pinks, yellows and reds. As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, a local man began to play the ukulele to the tune of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”