Blame it on the Champagne (Blame it on the Alcohol #1) - Fiona Cole Page 0,122

was the culprit.

Linking my hand with hers, I turned us to walk down the short aisle, past the four benches of guests. I looked to my grandpa first and stood a little taller when he winked before wiping a stray tear. Rae cheered the loudest, earning an eye roll from the mountain of a man I’d come to know as Austin. Nova elbowed Rae but laughed, softening the blow. Xander and his wife stood next to Ryan and a few other close associates from the Charleston office.

This was the wedding we were always meant to have.

The night after we burned our contract and divorce papers, I asked her to marry me all over again. I got down on one knee in front of the fire, and damn-near begged her to marry me again. Making me luckier than I deserved, she agreed, tackling me to the blankets for another round of celebration.

“Ready for cake?” I asked.

“I’m always ready for cake.”

“Do I get to shove it in your face this time?”

“You can try,” she challenged.

We all made our way over to the small tent set up close by, where music played, and champagne was already being served.

Similar to our other wedding, we threw this one together within a month, knowing that trying to pick Mariano Shipping back up to where it needed to be would take all our time and effort.

In that month, Vera decided to get her MBA and further her education. She claimed she wanted to run her family’s company, but only when she was the best she could be.

My wife never ceased to amaze me.

“A toast,” Grandpa Charlie said, holding up his glass of champagne. Everyone dutifully followed suit. “To my grandson and my beautiful new granddaughter. I don’t know what I did to deserve you both, but I’m glad Nicholas could pull his head out of his ass long enough to win you over for the both of us.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled.

“Your grandmother would be so proud of you—as well as your parents. You two make a beautiful couple, and I could see the strength of your love even when you couldn’t. I have no doubt you both will support each other when you’re weak and love each other through it all. Always remember to be honest, be humble, and love even when it’s hard.” He raised his glass higher. “To Nicholas and Verana.”

I swallowed down the lump of emotions working their way up my throat along with the chilled bubbly liquid.

Before I could finish, silverware clinked against glasses, signaling us to kiss.

Not wasting any chance I got, I pulled her back in my arms and glued my mouth to hers, nibbling her soft lips. When she did the same to mine, flicking her tongue along the sting, I set my glass aside and used both arms to dip her back and deepen the kiss.

“Get a room,” Xander shouted.

I stood us upright and turned a devious smile his way. “Oh, I plan on it.”

Vera slapped my chest but laughed, the lightest blush coloring her cheeks.

“How long do we have to stay?” I asked her.

“Hmm…” she pretended to ponder, pinching her lips. “I’m thinking all night. We may party until dawn. I mean, Rae is already asking the bartender for tequila.”

“I don’t think so. They can do all they want, but I’m thinking two hours at most.”

“Wow, impressive.”

“What?” I asked.

“I was thinking I’d be lucky to make it an hour.”

“God, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Now, we just need a good reason to vanish.”

“It’s okay. We can say we’re not feeling well. We can blame it on the champagne.”

I clinked my glass to hers. “Sounds perfect. Just like you.”

Nova

Vera and Nico left two hours ago, but a few of us had moved the party to the bar.

“Come on,” Raelynn whined. “I want to play with Naughty Nova.”

I gave her a deadpanned stare as she waved the shot of tequila in my face. She knew it was my weakness, and after the stressful week of meeting deadlines for my new job, I could use a night to let off steam.

“Maybe we can try and Instagram Patrick,” she said in her seductive voice, following it up with kissing noises.

Just hearing his name brought forth a slew of emotions tied to a million memories.

“You’re horrible,” Austin grumbled next to Rae.

“I’m the best, and you love me,” she said, smacking a kiss on his cheek.

“Someone has to.” He rolled his eyes but continued to watch her even when she turned away. Rae tortured