His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9)(145)
Author: Shayla Black

“I’d already waited since high school, Cherry. I wasn’t waiting another nine months,” he quipped.

Tara laughed. “You barely waited five minutes.”

“Hey, I was more patient than Hunter. He didn’t wait more than five minutes—literally.”

Hunter turned a little red as they filed out of the row and headed to the doors. “I saw the woman I wanted and I went after her. Why put off starting the rest of our lives?”

“Um, you might have waited until I was sober,” Kata put in.

Now Bailey really wanted to hear this story.

“And give you a chance to get away? Never.” He grinned.

Kata stroked her belly again. “You got your wish. Now it looks like I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not if I can help it.”

They shuffled out of the chapel and into a receiving line. With a small ceremony, it didn’t take long, but a crowd of people were pouring into the gardens for the reception.

Sean hugged her first. “Bailey! I’m glad you could make it. Feeling all right?”

“Fine. It was a beautiful ceremony. I wouldn’t have missed it. Thank you for including me.”

Callie nearly reached across her new husband to grab Bailey and draw her close. Bailey embraced the woman in return, so thrilled for her new friend’s joy.

“You look stunning,” she murmured.

The lovely brunette’s smile only widened, her blue eyes sparkling with profound peace. “It’s easy when you’re this happy. I’m hoping for the same for you, doll.”

Bailey’s expression filled with regret. “Maybe someday.”

“I really believe Joaquin loves you. Sean is convinced, too. Don’t give up, huh?”

“It’s your wedding day,” Bailey reminded her, changing the subject. “Don’t worry about me! You just enjoy the rest of your life.”

“Text me after your audition Tuesday and let me know how it went,” Callie demanded. “Promise?”

“I don’t want to interrupt your honeymoon.”

“If we’re busy, I’ll read the text later. We can’t do that for two weeks solid.” Callie flushed.

“Wanna bet?” Thorpe drawled, taking Bailey’s hand and moving her up the line, into his embrace.

Callie giggled. “You’re incorrigible, both of you.”

Sean leaned over. “You mean insatiable.”

“That, too.” Thorpe nodded.

The two fist bumped, then looked at the bride as if she was their world.

Bailey envied Callie all over again, but she forced herself to paste on a smile and regard Thorpe. “Congratulations.”

He hugged her. “Thank you,” he murmured, then frowned. “You look sad. Feeling lonely?”

She swallowed. Why would Thorpe ask now? He was supposed to be enjoying this day of commitment. Besides, he had to know she was. Surely, it was all over her face.

“Yeah, but I’m determined to move on.” If Joaquin wasn’t ready to face his demons and embrace whatever he felt in his heart, she couldn’t make him.

“You deserve a future full of everything wonderful. I know you’ll do well in next week’s audition.”

Fingers crossed. She’d worked hard. Blane had been so thrilled with her progress and the way she’d finally been able to emote through her dance. For the first time, Bailey felt completely herself and free. Yes, sad . . . but at peace with her past.

“Thank you.”

“I sure would like to see you smile and mean it. I know someone else who would, too.” Thorpe pointed past a gorgeous Italian fountain to a gate on the side of the gardens, surrounded by a profusion of blooming bougainvillea.

There stood Joaquin in a dark gray suit, staring straight at her as if she were the only person on the planet.

Bailey’s heart stuttered, skipped. She gasped. Why was he here? Just for the wedding. If he didn’t want to see her, she worried it would crush this little mental Zen space she’d worked so hard to achieve.

She tore her gaze from Joaquin and sent a searching expression Thorpe’s way. “Why?”

“He called me last night. Hear him out, okay?”

Callie laid a hand on her arm. “Men are stubborn.” She sent a meaningful glance Thorpe’s way. “Sometimes you have to be patient and forgiving.”

Bailey didn’t know if she had that in her. She should probably resist, retain her pride, but she wanted to see Joaquin so damn badly. So she nodded.

With a gentle hand at her back, Thorpe eased her on her way. As she put one foot in front of the other, almost in a daze, she had nowhere to look but at Joaquin. Still, her heart wouldn’t beat quite right and her stomach knotted with anxiety as she tiptoed across the garden.