Forbidden Bride - Penny Wylder Page 0,56

you make up your own mind.”

My father’s eyes are burning with anger and emotion, but he stops pacing long enough to look me in the eyes and nod.

“I love Tristan.”

Dad scoffs, but I keep going.

“I’ve loved him for a long time. In fact, it’s the reason he left. On my eighteenth birthday I told him I loved him, and he left. I didn’t know about his father then, but I do now. And he is not his dad. You know that, or you wouldn’t have been his closest friend for your entire life.”

“Maybe I was wrong,” my father says. “Maybe he is like his dad, if he thinks this is okay.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re just saying that because you’re surprised. And angry. And I get why you feel that way and it’s totally fine that you feel that way. But you know that Tristan is a good man. The reason he left back then was because he wanted to make absolutely sure he didn’t repeat the past. But I’m an adult now, and I choose him. And he chooses me.” I turn my hand so the ring on my finger is visible. “We’re getting married.”

My father’s gaze is suddenly glued to my finger, but he says nothing. He’s in shock. I sense his presence before I see him. Tristan steps up beside me, wisely keeping his hands off me at this moment. Dad locks on him and his gaze begins to boil with anger.

Tristan just says, “Bruce.”

There’s a lot of history in that word. Years of confidences and pleading with him to know that he’s not his father’s son. That this is okay. “I love Nicola.”

The simple way he says the words makes my heart pound, and if that’s all he said then it would be enough for me, but he keeps going. “I loved her before I knew that’s what it was. But I wasn’t going to take any chances. I put time and distance between us so that we would know for sure and so that I wouldn’t repeat my family’s mistakes. But I couldn’t live with myself. I had to come back for her.” He takes a breath. “And if I had come back here and Nicola had told me she wasn’t interested anymore, then I would have accepted it. But…we’re happy.”

My dad turns and looks out the front doors of the hotel, and then back at us. He sighs. “I thought I was crazy.”

“What?” I ask.

“I thought there might be something between you. When he was at the house, when I saw you at the restaurant. Even that first day at the focus group I could feel something between you. And I ignored it because I didn’t think it was possible. But I believe you both. And I’m glad that I’m not crazy.”

Relief pours over me like rain. “Thank you.”

“This doesn’t mean it will be easy for me,” he says, as he pulls me into a hug.

“I know.”

When he pulls back he looks at Tristan, and slowly he extends his hand. They shake, but it ends up being a hug. A longer hug than mine and my dad’s. I like to think that there is some healing in it.

My dad stares at Tristan hard. “You’d better take care of her.”

“I swear on my life.”

Mom appears from the door and pulls me into a hug. “I’m speechless,” she says to me. “I’m happy and confused and all these different things. But you’re happy right?”

I blink back tears as I hug her. “You have no idea.”

She looks at me, gently arranging my hair in that way that mothers do. “I always wondered why you didn’t date anyone or seem interested. You were waiting for him to come back, weren’t you.” It’s not a question.

“Yeah, I was.”

“Then I’m happy for you,” she says, blinking back her own tears. “Give your father and me a little time. We’ll get used to the idea.”

“I know you will,” I say. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Tristan clears his throat. “Bruce, Valerie. Could I have a moment with Nicola? We’ll rejoin the party in a few minutes.”

“Of course,” my mom says, grabbing my dad’s hand. He looks more reluctant to leave us alone but he doesn’t resist my mother guiding him back into the ballroom.

The minute they disappear Tristan’s lips crash down on mine. “God you feel so fucking good.” He pulls me further into the dark lobby. “I’m happy it’s done. I want to be able to kiss you whenever you