Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

OLIVER

S he was a vision. The hardest part of all this was convincing myself not to deck Brett, Noah's older brother, when he danced with my woman. But when she smiled, her face sad and heartbroken? I knew.

Corey Alexander needed me as much as I needed her.

NOAH: Send Lucy and me pics of her mommy soon! Get her, Cyclone.

EDEN: OMG STOP IT. I hate being here alone.

ZOE: I'll be home soon!

MIKAYLA: Tell my future sister-in-law I can't wait to meet her. Love you.

Damn group chats.

OLIVER: Don't spoil her, or Hale and her trainer will kill me. And thanks, guys.

I stuffed my phone into the pocket of my dress pants. I dressed to blend in with the reception guests. Thankfully, Brett LeCavalier snuck out without looking twice at Corey. So Noah no longer had to choose a side.

The waiter cruised by, and I grabbed a glass of champagne, downing one and swapping the glass for another. One more deep breath and I headed to where she leaned on the bar, back to me.

So beautiful my chest hurt. God, I missed her.

Before I lost my courage, I closed in and slipped the note into the hand on the bar, and murmured in her ear. "Don't turn around until you read it, Blue."

Her spine stiffened, and I sensed how badly she wanted to, or maybe run or deck me.

But then she unfolded the paper as I sipped the bubbly stuff, trying to keep my hands occupied. Minutes ticked by.

And then she turned to me, eyes bright like that damn winter sky I loved so much.