“Is it time to eat the cake yet?” Marz said to more laughter as he leaned against the breakfast bar. Which was when Nick noticed a big cake with a figurine standing atop it next to Marz’s elbow.
“Leave it to Marz to demand food,” Beckett said with a smirk. Seeing Beckett relaxed and cutting it up was another big change, because for almost as long as they’d known one another, Beckett had been reserved and quiet, not one to shoot the shit or joke around. Before all this, only Marz had seemed to get behind the big guy’s walls. Nick now knew that Kat had had a lot to do with how the man had changed, as much as their relationship had thrown Nick at first.
“Well, he did help me make it,” Emilie said, planting a kiss on Marz’s cheek. “It was all I could do to keep him from eating all the icing.”
“Aw, you made this?” Becca said, stepping up to the counter. The square cake was two layers tall and read, To Nick and Becca, The Best Is Yet To Come! Next to the words stood a porcelain figurine of a man in fatigues embracing a blond-haired woman in a wedding dress.
And that was officially the first time Nick imagined seeing Becca in her wedding gown—about to get married to him. And hell if the thought of that didn’t slay him.
“This is amazing, Emilie,” Becca said as the women hugged.
“It really is. Thank you,” Nick said, hugging Emilie next. After losing her brother—who’d been the team’s enemy—her devotion to everyone in that room was truly amazing. Nick held out his hand to Marz next. “And thank you for not eating the cake before we had a chance to see it.” Marz’s appetite was pretty damn legendary.
Wearing his trademark grin, Marz nodded. “Dude, it was a close call.” Marz could always be counted on to lighten a moment and make them laugh. Despite the fact that he’d borne the most serious injury from their ambush, he never let his amputation hold him back or get him down. Nick fucking admired that, he really did.
For a moment, surrounded by everyone he loved, Nick let himself bask in this moment of such fucking perfect contentment.
The best is yet to come.
Now that all the bullshit was behind them, Nick absolutely believed it. The future was theirs, and nothing could keep him from his happily ever after with Becca now.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Nick asked. “Let’s eat some damn cake.”
CHAPTER 5
I’m really excited to do this today,” Becca said as Nick parked the car along the curb. She’d spent all her free time after work on Tuesday and Wednesday searching local venues, dress shops, caterers, florists, and other things related to planning a wedding. She already had her two days off booked with appointments, just so she could get an idea of what she’d want at her wedding.
Her wedding! Part of Becca could hardly believe it. She and Nick were getting married. She thought back to the stubborn, standoffish man she’d met that first day at Hard Ink all those months ago, and could only marvel at how far they’d come.
“Me too,” Nick said. “Besides, whatever makes you happy makes me happy, you know that.”
She gave him a look. “Smart man.”
He grinned. “Come on. Let’s go check it out.”
They stepped out onto Front Street, a little cobblestone-paved gem right in the middle of downtown Baltimore. At one end of the block stood the towering 1840s Carrollton Inn and at the other, the historic Carroll Mansion, onetime home to Charles Carroll, Maryland’s longest living signer of the Declaration of Independence. A brick-paved courtyard surrounded by lush gardens joined the two.
They’d barely stepped through the wrought-iron gatehouse entrance onto the property before Becca was head over heels in love—with the historic ambiance, the beautiful architecture, the whole romantic setting. A thrill of excitement shot through her. A few months ago, she’d been worried about losing her only remaining family member. Now, she’d gained a huge new family, had her brother firmly back in her life, and was about to become someone’s wife. It was amazing how quickly life could change. For the good and for the bad.
“Hello,” a tall woman in a smart pants suit said. With her long black hair and warm brown skin, she was strikingly pretty. “I’m Sonya Mayer, the assistant manager of the inn. Welcome.” Nick and Becca introduced themselves, and Sonya gave them the tour of the inn’s four interior levels and rooms, as well as its outdoor spaces.
“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed this place before. It’s just gorgeous,” Becca said. The rooms each had their own unique atmosphere and decor, lending elegance to the inn’s charming nineteenth-century architecture. And the courtyard would be gorgeous for an outdoor wedding, something she’d always wanted.
“We have our own little enclave back here,” Sonya said. “A little oasis of calm and historical charm in the middle of the city.”
Becca nodded, struggling to keep her outward cool when inside she was all I want it I want it and I don’t care how much it costs!
Back downstairs, Sonya guided them to a table where they had a few flower and cake samples laid out. Menus, catalogs, and price lists sat on one corner of the table atop a shiny venue folder.
“Can I offer you a glass of champagne while we talk?” Sonya asked.
“I’d love that,” Becca said. “Nick?”
“Sounds great,” he said. When Sonya departed, he turned to her. “Okay, tell me how much you want this place.”
Becca managed to hold in her enthusiasm for about five seconds. “It’s so amazing. Don’t you think so? It’s pretty and charming and not too big and—”
Nick kissed her. “Done.”
“It’s pretty expensive, though,” she said.
He shook his head, his pale green eyes locked on hers. “I don’t care what it costs. If you want it, we’re having it. I like it, too. And we deserve the best to start our new life.”
“Really?” she asked. “How’d I get so lucky?”
The smile brought out his dimple. “That’s my line.”
“Here we go,” Sonya said, settling two crystal champagne flutes down on the table. She had an iPad tucked under her arm.
“Cheers,” Nick said, clinking glasses with Becca. The champagne was sweet and bubbly, absolutely delicious.
“So, have you picked a date?” Sonya asked, bringing the iPad to life in front of her.