Barrett sets Huxley back on his feet and turns to Alison. He gets down on one knee to gasps from every female in the room.
“Alison, there’s not a chance I’m ever going to let you go. Whatever decisions I have to make in my life, wherever I end up, I want to do them with you and Huxley by my side.”
He extends a small, black box to her and pulls the lid open. She gasps, tears streaming down her cheeks, as she looks at the diamond catching the lights from above.
“Will you and Huxley be mine forever?” Barrett whispers.
She doesn’t answer. Instead, she lunges into his arms to the excited cheers from the family.
“Say yes, Mom!” Huxley shouts, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Alison pulls back. “Yes!” she shouts.
“Let’s party!” Lincoln shouts as the music is turned up and everyone clamors to their feet.
“Come on,” I say, rising and tugging Mallory’s hand. With a hurried step, I lead her into the night. The air is crisp, the stars shining brightly overhead.
My heart is thundering away, my thoughts going a million miles per second. Pulling in as much fresh air as I can muster, I try to calm the insanity ricocheting through me.
Twirling Mallory around, I draw her into my arms. She hesitates for half a beat before melting into me.
Her head tucked under my chin, I wrap her up and hold her tight. I feel her hands under my suit jacket, pulling me as close to her as she can.
Neither of us speaks. Neither of us moves. We just stand under the starry sky in each other’s arms.
“That was incredible,” she says finally, her breath warm against my shirt. “Your family is amazing, Graham.”
“Yeah, they are.”
She plants a kiss to the center of my chest and then pulls back, looking at me. “We can’t leave.”
“And why not?”
“It’s a wedding. And your brother got engaged,” she whispers, her eyes shining. “Let’s stay for a while.”
I want to say no, to tell her the plan is we go home. But I can’t say no to that look in her eye. “Okay,” I give in. “We’ll stay. But you have to dance with me.”
We head back into the tent, the scent of chocolate donuts flowing from inside, her hand in mine.
“And I don’t want to catch you dancing with Ford.”
She giggles. “You better behave then.”
Mallory
“NO, NOT ONE MORE!” I giggle as Sienna tugs at my hand. “My feet hurt.”
“Your feet can’t hurt!” Danielle exclaims. “It’s my wedding reception.”
“We’ve been at this for hours,” I say, the wine sending me a little off balance.
“You’re a lightweight,” Macie laughs. “Come to Boston with Danielle this summer. We’ll show you how it’s done. Right, Danielle?”
“Let’s take her to Shenanigans! Do they still have that jukebox in the corner? The one with all the old school stuff we love?”
Macie’s eyes light up. “They do! Will and I were there a couple of months ago with Crew and Jules. I think I spent a week’s check on it.”
Alison grabs me by the arm and twirls me around, wine sloshing from her glass, as a new song begins to play. When we realize it’s a slow one, a chorus of “Ah’s” can be heard.
The dance floor begins to empty. The music softens, the beats turning smooth and easy, and I see Graham coming my way. His hands in his pockets, his tie now undone, his jacket missing, he looks like I’ve always hoped to see him look.
Relaxed. Carefree. Happy.
I throw my arms around his shoulders as he pulls me into him, holding me tight against his body. He smells delightfully like sandalwood and soap as I lay my head near his heart.
“Have you had fun tonight?” he asks softly.
“You know what? I have,” I admit. “It’s been a lot of fun actually.”
He kisses the top of my head and I squeeze him. Maybe it’s not the best thing in the world to let myself get so close to him, but it feels right. It makes me happy. So I choose to do it and have faith that if things go the way they’re planned, or if they don’t work out, I’ll survive.
We move in a circle, entwined in each other’s arms. We’ve danced many other dances tonight, but as Boyz II Men croon at the late hour, our bodies loosened by wine and whiskey, this one is different. Our guards are down and all I can do is smile against his chest.
“Well, well, well,” Lincoln says as he and Danielle sidle up next to us. “Look what we have here.”
“Go away, Linc,” Graham laughs.
“That’s no way for the Best Man to talk to the groom,” Lincoln jokes.
Danielle gives him a stern look. “You are a troublemaker.”
“Which is why you love me, babe.” He smacks a kiss to her lips. “Well, G. I’m married off, Barrett is engaged. Since Ford doesn’t have a girl, that means you’re next.”
“Lincoln Landry!” Danielle chastises him. “Don’t put Graham on the spot like that.”
“Danielle Landry,” Lincoln starts then stops. “God, I love the sound of that.”
“You’re a beautiful bride,” I tell Dani. “Congratulations again.”
She grins at me. “Thank you.”
Lincoln whisks her away in some spinning dip move that makes everyone laugh and move out of the way. Graham’s chest rumbles as he, too, can’t deny his amusement.
“You know,” he says, “I’ve always thought Lincoln to be the most immature out of us all.”
“You might be right.”
“I hate to admit it, but I think I might be wrong.”
When I pull away and look up at his face, he’s still watching his brother. His brows are pulled tight.
“Lincoln is really no different than me,” Graham notes.
“I beg to differ. He’s silly. Goofy. You’re Mr. Control Freak. Serious.”
“True.” Graham looks down at me again and spins me in a circle. “But look at him.” He uses his chin to motion towards the groom. “He’s the happiest guy here. He’s the one out of all of us that risked everything in his life to get the one thing he wanted.”
I think about that. I’ve heard Lincoln’s story and how he had to pick between the sport he loved and the girl he loved more. It’s a classic fairytale, a romance for the ages.
“Did he need a boost of confidence? Sure,” Graham says. “But he pulled the trigger. He made a very mature decision.”
“So what are you saying?” I ask.
“I’m saying that ridiculous brother of mine was capable, when the time came, to figure out what he wanted in life. He did it faster than any of the rest of us, no matter what public office we were in, what job title we had, or medals were around our neck.” He chuckles. “I can’t believe I’m giving kudos to Lincoln for something serious.”
I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him lightly. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell.”
“Won’t tell what?” Camilla and her father dance their way to us. “I love gossip.”
“They don’t call you Swink for nothing,” Graham says, shaking his head.
“Mind your own business, Camilla.” Mr. Landry tosses me a wink. “May I cut in?”
Graham’s grip cinches down on me.
“I’m your father, Graham,” Mr. Landry laughs. “Here. Dance with your sister.”