Eight months later

Los Angeles, California

A rush of nerves shot through me as I stood in front of the full-length mirror in our master bedroom, wondering what exactly I'd gotten myself into. In less than three hours, I was going to be standing in front of eighty people, exchanging wedding vows, and I was terrified.

It wasn't that I was nervous about getting married; it was the eighty people part. Sure, they were our friends and family, but that did little to ease my nerves. I had never been a fan of being the center of attention.

I was fully convinced I was going to flub my vows by saying something like "infidelity" instead of "fidelity'" or by forgetting Chase's name.

Oh my god, I was totally going to forget his name.

We should have eloped.

I held up the front of my lace wedding dress with both hands while Siobhan slowly tugged up the zipper, fastening the row of decorative buttons over top.

"There," she said, patting my shoulder. "Perfect."

"Look at you." My mother scurried up and held me out at arm's length, inspecting me fondly. "If only your father was here to see this."

Her words were an unintentional punch to the gut. He'd been gone for five months and the wound was still fresh like it happened yesterday. The heart attack had been so sudden, it still didn't feel real. I half-expected to find him waiting downstairs with the rest of my family.

I looked up, blinking away tears. "Aw, don't make me cry."

Siobhan rushed to my side and pressed a tissue into the palm of my hand. I carefully dabbed at my eyes, trying not to ruin my makeup. I'd just spent the better part of the morning being fussed over by a team of hair and makeup professionals. If I ruined any of it, I had no idea how to fix it myself.

"I'm sorry. It's just..." My mother released her hold on me, forcing a sad smile. "At least he got to meet Chase. He knows you're in good hands."

"I definitely am." And having Chase was one of the only things that got me through losing my dad. Grief wasn't linear, which he understood all too well. Another wave of tears threatened to overflow and I swallowed hard, fighting to hold them back.

Seraphina stepped back into the master bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Her dark hair was pulled into a perfect, elegant chignon. She smoothed the lines of her dusky plum bridesmaids dress, then her gaze fell to me through the mirror.

"Bailey." She spun around and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my god. That dress. Chase is going to fall over when he sees you in it."

I laughed. "Thanks, Ser."

Though, I suspected it was more likely that Chase would simply try to get the dress off. We didn't spend the night together last night and he'd already texted me earlier, outlining his highly detailed and predictably dirty plans for after the reception.

"Have you looked outside?" She nodded to the bedroom window behind me. "Your wedding planner outdid herself. The backyard looks like something out of a fairytale."

It kind of felt like a fairytale, so that fit.

I pulled back the sheer fabric curtains to reveal a backyard full of people bustling around. Twinkle lights adorned the trees, ready to light the evening reception following the ceremony. Chairs formed rows with an aisle in the middle, leading up to the rustic wooden ceremony arch. And a cocktail bar had been set up off to the side by the pool. It was simple and low-key, at least by Los Angeles standards.

My sister-in-law, Jenna, poked her head through the door, expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, I have to go get Mateo from Derek before my boobs explode. I don't want to leak all over this dress. But I'll see you out there."

"Sounds good," I called.

I was now at a grand total of four nephews and four nieces. My mother had her hands full when it came to grandchildren, and that wasn't even including mine someday.

Shiv, Sera and my mom did a quick sweep of the master en-suite, tidying empty champagne glasses and other items left behind from our morning primp-a-thon. I tried to help, but they waved me off.

While my mother's back was turned, Shiv nudged me, lowering her voice. "Speaking of babies, have you guys talked more about pulling the goalie?"

"I don't know how serious he is about that," I said. "I think he's just got baby fever because of Mateo."

If I was being honest, I kind of did too. At three months old, Mateo was at peak baby cuteness. He had tiny baby hands, downy baby hair, and made little baby sighs when he fell asleep curled up on your chest. It was like my ovaries seized control of my brain whenever he was around.

"Of course. Your nephew is adorable." Shiv's expression turned wistful. "Plus, that baby smell is just..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Who's the one with baby fever now?"

"We're not, not trying. Pregnant brides are very in these days." She shrugged, enormous emerald-cut engagement ring glinting in the light as she tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear.

"You two will make some beautiful babies." I paused. "Actually, have you talked to a Dallas at all? How's the groom?" Though I wasn't sure why I was asking; I knew Chase wouldn't be nearly as nervous as me.

"Dallas said Chase had the best golf game of the season this morning. Now they're just chilling in the man cave." Shiv tipped back the last of her champagne.

Of course they were. They had a morning of lounging and leisure while I was being poked and primped. Meanwhile, Chase would shower, throw on a suit, and look like he walked out of a photoshoot. Lucky, frustratingly beautiful man.

Another knock at the door interrupted us. Our wedding planner, Janice, strolled into the room. She scanned us all, giving a nod of approval.

"Photos are in half an hour," she said. "Should we shoo everyone else out and go grab the groom?"

Janice had suggested we do a "first look" before the ceremony. It seemed a little unorthodox, but she said many of her couples found it helped ease their nerves, and I needed all the help I could get on that department. I knew that once I saw him, I would feel a million times more at ease.

Plus, I kind of liked the idea of seeing each other alone first. It seemed more intimate that way.

"Okay," I said, nerves giving way to excitement. "Send him in."

I glanced down, adjusting my shirt sleeves underneath my navy suit jacket. I wondered what James was doing right now. Whether she was nervous or doing okay. Or whether she was even dressed yet. Still in sexy bridal underwear, maybe?

Damnit.

The whole, "not spending the night together before the wedding" tradition was such a scam.

Don't get me wrong, I liked spending time with my groomsmen, but waking up with her beat waking up in a hotel suite with them by a thousand to one. Plus, with being on the road so often, I didn't get to wake up next to her nearly often enough as it was.

Dallas and Ty leaned against the pool table, having a beer and shooting the breeze. For lack of a basement and a real "man cave," we'd made the rec room and adjoining spare bedroom our home base to get ready for the ceremony. Bailey's two older brothers had just ducked out to go take the kids off their wives' hands so they could finish getting ready.

I glanced over at Derek. "Think Bailey is nervous?" Or worse yet, missing her dad. But I didn't want to bring that up to Derek right now.

"Probably a little." He shrugged, adjusting his tie. "She's not the biggest fan of being the center of attention."

True. One big reason why she went into writing instead of sportscasting—even though she was more than attractive enough to be on screen.

Dallas strode over to me and gestured to his phone. "You're being summoned, Carter.

Finally.

"Good luck." Derek slapped me on the back. "We'll see you out there."

"Thanks." I turned, heading down the hallway over to the hardwood staircase. A handful of friends and family milled about the kitchen, lost in conversations, and I quickly stepped around them, trying to avoid drawing their attention so I didn't get waylaid. I'd already waited long enough.

The twelve or so stairs felt like ten times that. I'd never admit it, but I may have been a little nervous.

But that vanished the moment I saw her.

I stepped through the doorway and Bailey turned to face me. She looked up at me expectantly with hazel eyes I still got a little bit lost in. Her hair was curled, loose around her shoulders and her backless off-white dress hugged her frame perfectly, accentuating every dip and every curve of her body.

Perfection. Not just on the outside, either.

And I got to wake up to her for the rest of my life.

"Wow," I grinned, stepping closer. "You look... wow."

She gave me a coy smile as my hands landed on her waist. "You don't look so shabby yourself."

I stared at her for a few more moments, but failed to find the words to do justice. "I'm so lucky."

I was. I really was. Lucky wasn't even a strong enough word. I don't think the English language had one.

With Bailey, I had someone who made me a better person. Who stuck with me through the worst of it, no matter what. Who made every day that much better, just by being part of my life.

Never imagined I'd find someone like her. Sometimes I still couldn't believe I had. I was going to spend the rest of my life making sure I deserved her.

"I think I'm the lucky one," she said, running her hands down my shoulders. "You look like a magazine groom or something."

"I guess I clean up okay." I squeezed her. "I love you."

Her gaze softened. "I love you."

I tilted my head and she did the same, mouths drawing together like magnetism. Bailey let out a soft sigh, parting her lips. My hands slid around to her backside, pulling her up against me. She dug her fingertips into my shoulders as I deepened the kiss, gripping and exploring every inch I could reach over top her dress.

Kissing her may have been a bad idea, because I couldn't stop. She was addictive. Better still, she was mine.

Finally, Bailey pulled away, biting back a smile. "Gotta watch the makeup there." Her eyes danced.

I leaned in, planting a row of kisses along the smooth skin on her neck. Which, to be fair, posed no risk to her makeup.

"Don't worry," I murmured. "Plenty of time to mess that up later tonight."

"Mmm," she said, arching her neck. "Can't wait."

"Your dress is beautiful, by the way." My fingers traveled up and down the ivory lace covering her ribcage. "But I'm especially excited to see what's underneath."

"Never change, Carter."

"What?" I gave her a wolffish grin. "Can't I be curious about my wife-to-be's wedding night attire? Good husbands take an interest in things, right?"

"I think they mean things like their careers, not their panties."

I cupped her chin. "You've already got the career part nailed. I'm marrying the sexiest sportswriter in the biz. So now we can circle back to your panties."

"Can't spoil the surprise," Bailey said, batting my hand away playfully. "But I can assure you, you're in for a treat."

Oh god. How was I going to survive the ceremony and the reception? Would people notice if we disappeared for half an hour?

"Well, I know that for sure."

There was a gentle rap at the door. "Hey guys?" Siobhan called. "Photographer wants to start in a second."

I glanced down at Bailey, raising my eyebrows. "Ready, James?"

"So ready."

"Let's do this." I held out my hand and she reached over, lacing her fingers in mine. Everything fell into place. This was it. Forever.

We have five bonus chapters in total. Any guesses as to what's next?