Murphy.”
“How is Brigette?” he asks.
“She’s good. I think we were both in agreement.”
He puts out his hand between us and I shake it. “I didn’t think you were going to come to your senses. Marrying someone for a green card isn’t exactly something I ever saw you doing.”
“Wha—what?”
He laughs. “You think the government wouldn’t contact your employer? It took me a while, but after they called and asked about the authenticity of your relationship, I watched the way you guys interacted a little closer. Only small amounts of affection, and only in front of others. I’d enter the break room and the two of you would be on opposite sides of the table. I never even heard you sneaking into the supply closet. I mean, you were newly engaged.” He winks.
“Man.” I shake my head.
He grips my hand harder. “Four Paws is yours. We’ll draw up the paperwork next week.”
“Really?”
He nods. “Yes, and I have a friend in immigration. Let me see what I can do about Brigette.”
“Thanks, Dr. Murphy.”
He slides his hand out of mine. “You’re a good boy, Colton.”
Dr. Murphy looks across the way at Juno then back at me. He smiles and pats me on the back, then walks away.
I step onto the makeshift dance floor with a huge lump in my throat. Juno looks through the space between two sisters’ shoulders and her lips lift into a smile the closer I come.
Part of me wants to run to her, and another part wants to savor this moment. A moment I’ve waited years for. We’re finally going to step over that line she drew so long ago.
“Colton!” Kingston steps in front of me, and Juno’s smile disappears.
He pushes on my chest until we’re out of the tent, away from everyone else—and where apparently all the rest of the Bailey brothers are waiting for us. Austin’s hands are in his pockets. Rome’s arms are crossed. Denver’s open palm has his other fist in it.
Kingston grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “You call off your wedding and now you give our sister googly eyes? What the hell is wrong with you, man?”
“Do you really think we trust you with our sister after you almost married someone else?” Rome asks.
Denver just stands there, hammering his fist into his open palm over and over, glaring at me.
“Think about it, Colton. Give us one reason we should be okay with you and our sister?” Kingston says.
They cannot be serious. I never thought I’d have to worry about them being okay with me and Juno. Shit. I underestimated them. “I’m in love with her.”
“You’re in love with her?” Kingston echoes my words back at me. “Do we believe him?”
Austin rocks back on his heels. “I do.” A smile breaks his serious facade.
“Fuck yeah. About time.” Denver pretends to punch me in the stomach.
“I wondered what the hell you were thinking.” Rome puts me in a headlock and his knuckles rub my scalp.
“But in all seriousness, if you hurt her, we’ll fuck you up,” Kingston says with a smile.
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
“We know,” Austin says and nods toward the tent. “As messed up as this situation is, go talk to her.”
“Thanks.”
I walk away from the four Bailey brothers and step into the tent for the second time. Now Juno is standing with Calista, Dion, and Phoebe, dancing in a circle.
“The Difference” by Tyler Rich comes over the speakers, and I hold my hand out to Juno. “Dance with me?”
Rome’s three kids stare at me as if they don’t recognize me.
Juno slides her hand into mine and I pull her toward me.
“Is this weird? Do you think people are staring?” she says, her gaze darting across the room.
I place my finger under her chin and raise her head until our eyes meet. “All I care about is us.” I put one hand around her small waist and hold her hand between our chests. “I’m sorry for earlier.”
She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I should apologize. It was your wedding, and I ruined it.”
“Thankfully. Otherwise I might have been dancing with the wrong girl right now.”
“Colton, what if…”
I shake my head. “Just live in this moment. Forget everyone. It’s just me and you. No one else.”
She lays her head against my chest. “I love you.”
My chest swells and feels as buoyant as a helium-filled balloon. I kiss the top of her head. “I love you.”
No other words have ever felt so good leaving my mouth. I hold her tighter—and now that I