misses you when you aren’t around.”
Twenty-Four
Catalina
It was the night before my wedding.
I sat across from my father, playing a competitive game of chess.
He watched me, his eyes burning into my face as he waited for me to make my move.
I let my fingers rest against my lips, considering the move, before I grabbed another piece and made a diagonal move.
He released a quiet sigh, as if he’d hoped I wouldn’t have figured out the perfect opening. He grabbed his piece and moved it.
“So, Heath is a good player?”
He nodded. “Caught on quickly.”
“He’s a smart man.”
“But you can still beat him, sweetheart. Don’t let him win just because he’s your husband.”
Husband. Tomorrow, he would be my husband. “He wouldn’t want me to let him win.”
“Good. He seems that way.”
“Is that why you like him?”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t seem like a man who’s easily intimidated—especially by a woman.”
“He’s not. What did you think of the house?”
“Beautiful. He’s putting a lot of work into it.”
My eyes softened. “I can imagine.”
“It’s nice to see a man use his bare hands instead of paying someone to do the hard work.”
I moved my piece. “See the greenhouse?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.” He moved his piece.
I made the final blow. “Sorry, Dad. That’s checkmate.”
He sighed in annoyance. “I’ll get you next time, sweetheart.”
Damien came to our side. “Can I play the winner?”
“Yes.” Dad finished the rest of his wine before he got to his feet. “I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.” He patted his son on the back then kissed me on the cheek before he left.
We reset the board and started a new match.
Damien poured himself a glass of wine and drank it while I made my move. “I got engaged before you, but you’re tying the knot before me.”
“It’s not a race, Damien.”
He drank from his glass. “I know. Just saying…” He moved his piece. “I loved the house. It suits you perfectly.”
“I know. He took me over there one day, and I couldn’t believe he’d had it the whole time.”
“Maybe he bought it for you.”
“No, he said he won it in a poker match.”
He chuckled. “Talk about a high-stakes game.”
“How is he?” I hadn’t talked to Heath much because he seemed busy. But I also suspected he wasn’t contacting me frequently on purpose, because he wanted to make our day even more special.
“Fine.” He moved his piece.
“I miss him…”
His eyes lifted to mine, a little soft. “Just one more day.”
“Yeah, but it’s already been five. It’s torture.”
“It’ll make tomorrow worth it.”
“Yeah…”
He made his next move. “Heath and I had a conversation.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you’re trying to scare off my husband, it’s not gonna work.”
“No,” he said quietly. “I told him I approved of him.”
I lifted my gaze. “Yeah?”
He nodded. “And I mean it.”
“Damien…” My eyes softened.
“You know I’m stubborn, it’s hard for me to let things go…but I’ve let it go. I think Mom would have liked him.”
“Yes. And Dad loves him.”
“He does. He wouldn’t have taught his chess otherwise.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re on board… That makes me really happy.” Now we forgot about the game altogether.
“I want you to be happy, and I can tell he really loves you.”
“He does,” I said with a smile. “He loves me as much as you do.”
He smiled. “Probably more.”
My mother’s dress was elegant, with long sleeves and a bow around the waist. It wasn’t exactly my style, so I had the seamstress alter it until it was exactly what I would have wanted if I’d gone to a dress shop.
It didn’t look exactly the same—but it was still my mother’s dress.
Damien was in the driver’s seat of his SUV, my father in the front seat. Anna sat beside me in the back.
We pulled up to the house. It was a sunny day, looking like summer even though it was just a clear day in January.
Heath stood out front, wearing a black suit, his hands in his pockets.
I’d only seen him in a suit one other time—and he looked just as yummy as he did now.
His eyes were on the car, looking at the tinted windows as he waited for me to get out. We’d agreed to meet at the greenhouse, but he obviously couldn’t wait that long. His eyes were slightly squinted because the sun was in his face, and his brooding expression showed the emotion that penetrated his heart.
Balto and Cassini were near the door, his arm around her waist. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Their eyes were on the car