“I’d say so,” I say slowly. “Especially since you married her and all.”
Asher’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t look at me, nor does he deny it. “Who told you?”
“Shelli. Emery accused Ally, and she admitted to it.”
Asher inhales sharply, finally looking at me. “Are you mad?”
“Mad that you didn’t tell me, or that you didn’t invite me?”
Asher gives me a wry smile. “Both?”
I cup his shoulder. “Neither. I’m just happy for you.”
He lets out a long breath, which he was apparently holding. “Do Mom and Dad know?”
“Don’t think so, but you may need to pay off Emery not to tell.”
“Fuck me,” he mutters as he looks around. “Let me go find her ass.”
I laugh as he walks away just as my dad comes over to me. “He looks pissy. What’s wrong?”
“Emery.”
He nods as he crosses his arms over his chest. The fact that her name is an answer says a lot about my sister. “Well, I have a confession.”
I look to my father. He’s aged over the last couple months. The Cup run was hell, and Emery is more than likely gonna put him in the crazy house. It makes me sad that he’s aging; I don’t want to live a life without my dad. He’s my hero. “What’s that?”
His gaze meets mine, and the breath is knocked out of me when I see the tears gathering in his eyes. “I’m not ready for you to get married.”
I wrap an arm around his shoulders, leaning into him. “No?”
“Nope, means you’re really a man.”
“Dad, I’ve been a man.”
“Nope. You’re my baby, still fighting hippogriffs and thinking you can play baseball.”
I snort as he chuckles loudly. “God, I sucked.”
“So bad,” he says, shaking his head. “But I’m thankful you turned out okay.”
“I had great parents,” I admit, and he hugs me into his side.
“I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He hugs me tightly and then asks, “So, things are good with Shelli? New York?”
“Yup,” I say with a nod. “She’s going.”
“Good. She’s a star, Aiden.”
“I know,” I say, watching as she mingles with everyone, laughing and being her fun self. I love her laugh. I love her lips, and man, I love her ass. My heart explodes in my chest when her eyes meet mine. A sneaky little grin covers those sweet lips, and everything goes still. I’m just so proud of her. I’m spellbound by her, and without really knowing what I’m doing, I start toward her. Her lips curve even more as she walks away from her group, meeting me in the middle. I capture her jaw, kissing her briefly before I keep walking toward the stage.
“Rude!” she calls to me, and I laugh as I get up on the stage.
I tap the mic, and everyone looks up at me as I bring my lips to it. “Hey, if I could have my beautiful bride meet me up here.”
She gives me a look. “Why didn’t you just bring me with you?” she calls as she comes toward me. Everyone chuckles as she makes her way up onto the stage with my help since it’s a big step up. I lace my fingers with hers, and she wraps her arm around mine, grinning up at me.
I lean in, kissing her nose, and my heart is beating out of control. I look out at our family and wedding party with an unstoppable grin on my face. “I want to thank everyone for being a part of our wedding. This has been one hell of a wedding to plan, and I can’t wait to stand up there and marry my girl tomorrow.” I’m met with applause as Shelli squeezes my arm. “I know we came here yesterday for our family dinner, but I wanted to come tonight because when I first moved back, I used to sit at that bar and watch this insanely gorgeous and talented woman sing.”
Shelli beams at me, and soon, everyone in the room is gone. “I used to say I came for the free food, but really, it was for this astonishing lady. You see, I’d sit at the bar and tell myself that everything you sang was for me.”
“It was.”
I lean in, kissing her lips, and I hear people start to tease us, but I don’t care. As we part, I kiss her top lip before separating so I can speak into the mic. “I wanted you, so badly, but I was terrified. I would sit there and think, can I chance it? Can I give you my heart? And also, how bad will Shea Adler kill me?”
She snorts with laughter as Shea calls out, “You’re lucky you’re a good kid!”
I can’t look at him, though. My gaze is held hostage by Shelli’s. “I’m so extremely proud to be yours,” I say to her, only her. I look out at our families. “This incredible woman was chosen for the lead role as Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton.” Everyone gasps, but then as I expected, they start to cheer and clap for my bride. “I can’t wait to watch you shine, Shelli. Because, my darling, I can’t ever take my eyes off you.”