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“It’s that Danica magic,” Xavier jokes.

My parents appear, properly dressed and without any dates. I made it clear that, if they brought anybody, they wouldn’t be allowed in. And they had to be in suitable clothes or else. So far, they’ve behaved themselves. Anxiety doesn’t burn away at my stomach lining at the possibility that they might do something embarrassing, though. Max would put them in their place in her own indomitable fashion. She’s been laying down the law to Marie and Camilo, and they know better than to mess with her.

Grandmother attends with Grandfather. Once again, she’s in a dress that looks like something out of a ballet. Her eyes soften a little as she looks at Max’s belly, but then a calculating gleam flashes in their blue depths. She’d better not be planning to turn my baby into a ballet dancer. I want the child to choose its own path.

Max invited Ailee and a few coworkers. Trevor doesn’t show.

The quartet starts “Here Comes the Bride.” On the other side of the garden, Max appears, her arm looped through Bea’s. She’s in a stunning empire-waist gown with pearl and lace details. In her hands is a gorgeous bouquet of white gardenias from our garden.

My heart near-bursting with excitement and joy, I watch the love of my life walking toward me, coming closer with each dainty step. Before Bea hands Max to me, she whispers, “I’m glad you found each other.” She smiles at Max. “I think he’s a keeper.”

She smiles shyly. “I think so, too.”

I take her hand. We face the officiant for our vows—to love, honor and cherish—

“—until death do you part,” the man intones.

I grin at my beautiful wife. If I can help it, not even death will part us.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Liam

I sniff the white flowers as I climb out of the Spectre. I accidentally caught the bouquet—so I get to enjoy it. Angelo seemed peeved and disappointed that I got the flowers, but he should’ve been faster.

Inspiration pumps in my veins after seeing my brother get married. He and Max are so happy. I hope they stay that way forever, and I’m proud that he used my ring to propose and wedding bands from Kingswood Stones & Designs to seal the deal.

I start to head inside Kingswood Stones & Designs, then stop when the sound of soft sobbing comes from the small alley between the store and the next building. I stick my head around the corner.

A woman is squatting on the ground, her face hidden in her lap. The white dress has dirt smudges and looks sadder than lettuce left in the back of the fridge.

“Olivia?”

She lifts her head, tears streaking her face.

“Is it Tyler again?” I say, my voice strained with old frustration and bewilderment, even as my heart tumbles in my chest.

She nods.

I run my fingers through my hair. “You should just kick his ass.”

She chokes back a sob. “It isn’t that simple.”

“Sure it is. A lot of things in life are much simpler than you think. The problem is you have to act, not just think.”

Her swollen sky-blue eyes look up at me. Something between grief and anticipation swirls in their depths.

Suddenly unsettled, I glance down and realize I’m holding the bouquet. “Here. Flowers. Uh…you can have them.”

I hand her the bouquet. She accepts them, then buries her nose in them. Then, in a small voice, she asks, “Why are you being nice to me?” She sniffles. “You weren’t part of the plan,” she adds in an even smaller voice.

“Don’t keep working on an unworkable plan. Pivot. Get rid of Tyler.”

“And then what?” She lets out a teary laugh. “I have to get married.” She covers her eyes as though in despair.

My heart squeezes. “Well…how about me?”