Every Beat of My Heart (New York Sullivans 0.5) - Bella Andre Page 0,21

the zipper on her dress that ran between her breasts. “I need you to love me,” she said at the exact moment that she pulled it down. “Here. Tonight. It’s always been you, Ryan. Always.”

And as he laid her down on the bench beneath the moon and the stars, surrounded by roses and grapevines, to love her sweet and hot all at the same time, Ryan hated to think what his life would have been like without Vicki.

Thank God, he’d never have to find out.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Flowers of every color and scent spilled from pots on the large stone patio that overlooked the vineyards where Zach and Ryan waited. Neither man looked at all anxious about getting married. On the contrary, it was clear to every one of the hundreds of wedding guests that the brothers were nearly out of patience as they waited for their brides to appear.

“Hopefully, the girls will be out here soon,” Sophie whispered to Lori.

“No kidding,” Lori agreed. “Otherwise our brothers look like they’re going to go caveman.”

Maybe Mary shouldn’t have laughed in agreement as she stood at the front with her oldest son, Marcus, to co-officiate the wedding. But her children had always been her greatest joy—and watching each of them find love meant everything to her.

The first notes of the Wedding March rang out through the vineyard, and Mary’s chest squeezed. In a matter of minutes, her sons would be pledging their hearts to the women they loved. And she’d have two new daughters. She couldn’t wait, her smile growing even wider as Heather emerged from a rose-covered archway.

Zach’s indrawn breath easily carried to Mary’s ears as he saw his bride in her gown for the very first time. Heather was absolutely radiant in white silk that draped elegantly over her curves. The designer had made her the perfect dress—simple, yet breathtaking.

As she walked up the aisle on her father’s arm, Heather never once took her eyes from Zach. Mary swore she could feel the connection between them, so strong that no one, and nothing, would ever break it. Even when Heather’s father kissed his daughter’s cheek before moving back to his seat, Heather held Zach’s gaze. And when Zach reached for her hand and kissed it, Mary nearly broke into sobs right then and there.

It suddenly hit her: How on earth was she ever going to make it through not just one of her children’s weddings—but two on the very same day—without falling completely apart?

There was barely enough time for the crowd to catch its collective breath before Vicki emerged from beneath an arch made of baseball bats held by Ryan’s teammates.

But it wasn’t just the bride’s unique entrance that had Mary smiling. It was seeing how bright Vicki’s eyes were, how flushed her cheeks, as she smiled at her groom. Ryan’s grin nearly split his face as he took in the stunning vision of his best friend, dressed all in white.

Never had two brides been more beautiful, each in their own special way. Where Heather’s gown was pure simplicity, Vicki’s made you look once, twice, then again. Yes, there was white silk and lace, but instead of using thread to connect the fabrics, zippers crisscrossed to create a corset-like bodice that was positively breathtaking.

Pure joy infused every step Vicki took toward Ryan on her father’s arm. Mary’s son didn’t wait for them to make it all the way to the altar, but met them halfway down the aisle. Vicki’s father laughed along with everyone else at the groom’s enthusiasm, and once her father had hugged his daughter with tears in his eyes, Ryan took his bride into his arms and kissed her soundly, long before any vows were spoken. When they finally drew apart, they walked hand in hand to stand beside Zach and Heather in front of the guests.

Marcus moved forward to begin the ceremony. “Thank you for coming today to celebrate the love between Heather and Zach and Vicki and Ryan. My mother and I are honored that they asked us to officiate their double wedding today.”

Mary had to take a deep breath to steady her emotions before moving to Marcus’s side. Smiling first at the brides and grooms, she then looked out over the large group of beloved family and friends on the patio. “As you can see, we decided to do things a little differently this time.” The crowd laughed, and she continued, saying, “In addition to having two weddings today, we also thought we’d have some nontraditional