Nikolas yelled out. “Is that what we’re calling bodily threats these days?”
I laughed with the audience. “Sorry. I’m protective of my best friend—my sister.”
Holly mouthed I love you.
“Either way, Nikolas, I know you will be an amazing husband because you were an amazing boyfriend. And you’ve been an awesome friend to me. And Holly, thank you so much for bringing me to your magical wedding and letting me be a part of it. I will never forget this. But most of all, may you be as happy as you can be. Celebrate your long life together. I look forward to celebrating more of your new adventures.”
I raised my glass in the air. “To the Madisons. Cheers.”
Everyone clapped.
Holy shit.
I sat down and handed the microphone to Saint.
He kissed my cheek and whispered, “You did an amazing job.”
“Thank you.”
He rose and looked out at the audience. “What is the true definition of love?”
A few people murmured things here and there. Some giggled.
“I tried to look it up in the dictionary and couldn’t find the exact words to define Holly and Nikolas.” He gestured to them. “The dictionary said that true love is a strong and lasting affection between two people who are in a happy, passionate, and fulfilling relationship. But is that reality? I’ve watched these two deal with tough times. Hard moments. Serious issues. And I also watched them survive each time. Get stronger. Unite even more until. . .”
We all sat on the edge of our seats, listening.
“Until they were almost a single body, moving as one with no beginning or end to them.” He stared at Holly. “I watched my sister start as an annoying sticky kid who always came into my bedroom without knocking and borrowing my things. And now I look at an elegant woman who has dedicated her life to helping the world and completely loving everyone around her.”
Holly covered her mouth with both hands.
“And Nikolas, you’ve been my best friend for so long that I can’t even remember a time when you weren’t by my side. They say men don’t talk, but you and I have sat on the phone, yapping about our problems with the women that have our hearts.”
Nikolas yelled out. “And sports!”
“Yes. And sports too. Which you’re bad at guessing who will be the winner.”
The crowd laughed again.
Saint let out a long breath. “Following you two on this journey has been a thrilling experience. Through the fun times and the ups and downs. So strong, you both faced all things together, never giving up on each other.”
Saint looked down at me. “I believe that’s the true definition of love. Trying and never giving up. Pushing through trials. Loving until the heart swells and comes close to exploding. And not caring for one minute if it does blow up. Because even explosions are beautiful.”
I swallowed.
He turned back to Holly and Nikolas. “Through these new years, you will always be together, loving and uniting even more. And I want you to know that I will always be there, right by your side, rooting you two on. To the Madisons.”
He raised his glass. “Cheers.”
I whispered, “Cheers.”
He sat back down. I turned to him. He had all of my attention. I didn’t even see Holly’s reaction knowing that she was probably crying all over that gorgeous gown.
I leaned forward. “That was beautiful.”
“Thank you. I meant every word.”
“Even the exploding hearts part?”
He pierced me with an intense gaze. “Even that.”
“Don’t we need our hearts to live?”
“We’ll see.”
I grinned. “How have I been able to stay away from you all these years?”
“I wonder about that all the time.”
“I’m lucky that you were so patient—”
“No. I’m the lucky one.”
Emma grabbed my attention. “Ivory, you’re such a liar. You already had a speech.”
Veronica snapped her fingers. “Saint, you’re lucky I’m married, talking about love and explosions.”
We laughed. The table erupted into more conversation. We ate dinner. A few times he fed me. I knew that some of his family might have been shocked. We’d tried to keep our little liaisons secret. There’d been hints from his mother that she knew, but nothing for certain. But when I checked Mr. and Mrs. Ingram they pointed at us, giggled, and did a whole lot of waving.
They’re both pretty drunk.
I realized that it didn’t matter if no one agreed with our love. I no longer cared if all knew. I just had to focus on not being terrified.
This will work. It has to. Everything. . .is different now. This world is more than I thought it would be.
After we finished dessert, Saint took my hand. “Can I have this dance?”
Heat stirred within my body. All night his presence was an intoxicating stimulant to my senses.
I gazed at his mouth, wanting more than to dance. “Hmmm. I believe others asked me to dance.”
He moved closer to me and brushed his lips along my ear. “Are you considering those other options? You know I wouldn’t let any other man around you.”