He didn’t let her finish before kissing her.

Grace pulled away. “I love you, too.”

“C’mere.” And he kissed her again.

EPILOGUE

The soft water of the lagoon lapped in the background of the perfect wedding.

Erin’s sister had stood at her side while Colin took his place by Matt.

There were only thirteen people total in the lot of them, two of which were Erin’s niece and nephew. Everyone was barefoot and wearing white.

And it was beautiful.

Grace cried when her brother vowed to love, honor, and cherish, and completely lost it when Erin started with the waterworks.

The informal reception was brought together with locals playing simple instruments and singing Hawaiian songs.

“Your aunt Beth is going to throw a fit when she learns that we all ran off without inviting her,” Nora reminded them all as they sat around a huge table that was overflowing with food, flowers, and champagne.

Grace turned to Dameon.

The sun had kissed their skin in the few days they’d been on the island. His casual white-on-white silk Hawaiian shirt and casual slacks made him even better looking than when he was dressed in a power suit.

“I haven’t met her yet, right?”

Grace shook her head. “No, but in a way, she’s responsible for the night we met.”

Dameon looked confused.

“She was harping on my state of singlehood at Colin and Parker’s wedding when I needed that cold walk in the hotel garden.”

Dameon slowly started to nod and smile. “I always liked your Aunt Beth,” he teased.

“You say that now,” Parker said. “Wait until she starts harping about Grace’s empty uterus.”

There was laughter all around.

“I’m off the hook there,” Erin said.

Matt leaned over and kissed his new wife.

“By my calculations, this baby is coming around Christmas, right?” Emmitt said.

“Sure, Dad. Or Halloween, give or take a few weeks.” Matt held Erin’s hand as if he was afraid to let go.

Colin stood and picked up his glass. “Okay . . . it’s time for the sappy best man speech. Which I’ve been practicing for at least three hours.”

Dameon pulled Grace close.

“I always knew that Matt was going to marry a knockout.”

Erin blushed.

“I mean, c’mon. He dated all the pretty girls in school. Women followed him around in the supermarket when he was dressed in his hero uniform . . .”

“Hey now . . . ,” Matt called out.

“So you being beautiful was a given. But what wasn’t a given was this kind, loving, missing piece of Matt’s life . . . all our lives.”

Grace sucked in a sniffle.

“I knew when I met Parker, she was it. I remember the day I told Matt I was going to marry her that he already knew I was all in. And the night Matt pulled Dameon and me outside in the freezing cold to tell us he was going to propose . . . I was like, Hell ya! I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-law, right, Gracie?”

Grace lifted her glass.

“I know I speak for all of us when I say, welcome to the Hudson family, Erin. And thank you for loving my brother the way you do.”

A round of cheers and sips of champagne was followed by hugs and more tears.

A while later, Parker and Grace sat to the side while Dameon, Colin, and Matt had some kind of man huddle that included some sort of Hawaiian shots. Erin was talking with her sister, Helen, and her dad. And Grace’s mom and dad were entertaining Helen’s kids.

“You really quit your job.”

Grace nodded. “Gave them my notice after I used up all my sick time.”

“I can’t blame you.”

“I’ll start the great job search when we get back. Dameon wants to put me on his payroll for all the work I’m doing for him. But I’m not going there.”

“I don’t see why not.”

“I don’t want him to feel obligated. I help him because I love him and want to, not because it’s a job.”

“I understand.”

Erin’s laugh had them both looking over. “She’s glowing,” Parker said.

Grace smiled. “I know. We’re going to have to throw a huge baby shower to make it up to Aunt Beth for not inviting her.”

“I can’t wait. All the tiny clothes and little shoes and stuffed toys.” Parker was gushing.

Grace stared at her sister-in-law. “Look at you, the woman who said she doesn’t want kids, getting all mushy over the very idea.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want kids. I said I didn’t want to start right away.”

Grace’s jaw dropped. “That’s a total lie. I’ve heard you say more than once you weren’t interested.”

Parker looked across the beach to where the men were talking. “I’m young. I can change my mind.”

Grace reached out to hug her. “You’re going to make Colin so happy.”

“He’s ecstatic about being an uncle. He already bought tiny overalls.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. He said overalls can be worn by a girl or a boy, so it’s safe. I know he’ll be a wonderful uncle, but I think he’d be an even better dad.”

Grace clutched her hands to her chest. “Have you told him yet?”

Parker shook her head. “I have to wait until we have some down time. He’s not going to let me out of the bedroom until the plus sign shows up on the stick.”

Grace laughed so hard she doubled over.

“Right?” Parker laughed with her.

“What’s so funny over here?” Colin and Dameon walked up.

“Nothing,” Grace laughed.

Colin reached out a hand and pulled Parker to her feet. “I want to dance with my wife.”

“There isn’t any music.”

“Sure there is . . . it’s in my heart.”

“Awww.”

They started to walk off.

“That was sappy, Colin.”

“You’re just jealous, Gracie.”

Dameon reached for her hand. “C’mon.”

“You want to dance without music, too?”

“Nawh. Let’s take a walk.”

Grace glanced over to see Matt and Erin kissing in the light of the sunset and the wedding photographer snapping pictures.

Grace and Dameon walked on the warm water’s edge holding hands. “Today was perfect,” Grace said.

“It really was. I think they’re going to be happy for a long time.”

Dameon lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

She stopped and smiled.

“I love you, Dameon.”

“Those words never get old.”

He leaned over to kiss her right as Erin called her name. “Hey, Grace?”

She didn’t get her kiss. “What?”

Erin waved her over.

“The bride calls,” Grace muttered.

They started back. Less than five yards away Erin held up her hand. “Hold up.”

“What?” Grace asked.

Without warning, Erin tossed her bouquet in the air.

Grace let loose Dameon’s hand and caught it.