Page 99 of Owned
Leo
Ithought I’d seen my best friend in love before, but as I watched him crumble as Jade walked toward him to promise to be by his side for the rest of his life, tears threatened to fall. A small part of me was jealous because what he shares with Jade is special. They are each other’s counterparts—they just work better together and I want that. Of course my mind instantly goes to the woman standing opposite me, dabbing her eyes and smiling lovingly at her brother who holds back tears while he declares his undying love to the love of his life. The sunlight streams through, making her almost glow as she swipes her tissue under her eyes to blot away the happy tears pooling in her sparkling blue eyes. She looks perfect, and it’s hard to look away.
When the happy couple share their first kiss as man and wife, I’m hit with so many emotions that I fight with the need to run. My head is swimming with happiness for my best friend but also regret. Regret that this moment is something that was ripped from Ria. Her eyes meet mine for a beat when Hunter and Jade break apart and make their way down the aisle adorned with sunflowers and wildflowers. Slowly, she moves to my side, curling her delicate hand around mine and offering me something that I’m not sure I truly deserve, but I’m fed up with holding back. Gripping her hand tightly, I pull her into me, looping our arms together and guiding her down the aisle behind her brother and his new bride.
“You’ll have this one day,” I whisper as we smile at the crowd who are clapping and cheering as we make our way down the aisle and out of the ceremony.
“Have what?” She leans her head on my shoulder, and warmth floods me.
“The white wedding. The time to shine.”
“I don’t need it. I just want the marriage not the wedding.”
“What do you mean?”
“The wedding is the beginning—the fun, exciting, and thrilling moments. But marriage is the life you build with someone, the choices you make together, the family you create. I want that, but the marriage—that’s the hard part. Only if you grow with your partner, that's the way you’ll make it work.” We gather in the reception room and she turns to me, her face bright and full of life. “People don’t want to work at it when things get hard, and I want someone who gets me and loves me but won’t give up on me.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Ada slides in next to Ria. Pure joy radiates from her. “Isn’t this the most beautiful wedding?” She drops a kiss on Ria’s cheek. “And look at you two.” Her grin is broad as she gives me a hug. “This couldn’t be more perfect.”
“Ada, Angel, don’t crowd them.” Thomas wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her into his chest. “They were having a moment.” Thomas winks at me as he rests his head on top of Ada’s.
“They were, weren’t they.” Grace sneaks in next to him and Ria crosses her arms across her chest.
“We weren’t having a moment,” I scoff just as my very favorite mini whirlwinds of chaos spin in a blur of sparkles.
“Auntie Ri, you look so pretty,” Evelyn gushes as Ria bends elegantly to pick her up.
“Thanks, Ev, you look so pretty too. This dress is very fabulous.” She smiles, rubbing her nose against Ev’s.
“Leo, can you believe it? Unki Hunter actually married Tinkerbell.” Rosie pulls on my trousers and I scoop her up. Noah’s twin girls have always had a very special place in my heart. They don’t judge, just live for fun.
“I know, Ro, he’s really lucky.” She wraps her little hand around my neck, making me smile wider. I love these girls with every fiber of my being. They have been through so much but never drop their infectious grins,. Happiness beams out of them, and I know that has so much to do with Noah never lowering his guard and showing the pain he harbors.
“I’m mad at you.” Her face crumples as she scowls at me.
“Me? Why?”
“Why didn’t I get to come to your wedding to Auntie Ri?”
“Umm…” My eyes dart to Ria and then around the rest of the group who just shrug. “We didn’t invite anyone,” I say quickly.
“Yeah, Daddy said he didn’t get to go either.” Her brows furrow in the cutest of frowns. “He was talking to Stevie about it.”
“Who is Stevie?”
“Our soccer coach,” she says brightly.
“You do soccer now? Lily will be proud.”
“Yeah, Stevie said that I’m a natural. I scored a hat trick the other day and got player of the match. I got to take the trophy home. Daddy took us for waffles after, and I got the chocolate one and daddy snuck some peanut butter cups in like you did that one time,” she whispers.
“Stealing my moves, is he? Where is your dad anyway?”
“He’s getting his picture taken with Unki Hunter and Auntie Tink.”
“Nicely diverted,” Grace mumbles as she reaches for a glass of champagne from the passing server.
“Not diverting anything,” I mutter out the corner of my mouth.
