Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)(124)

I’d nodded, still chuckling. “Yeah.” I yawned to stop laughing and wiped at a tear. “She was thinking I’d want a more formal dress, but nope. That’s not me.” I’d reached out and touched Heather’s dress. It was a simple cut, falling just above the knee with a ruched top. The girls had picked their style. They could have spaghetti straps or sleeveless like Heather’s. They all looked comfortable, but so beautiful, and the wedding was all light green and cream. I had little white lights filling the church where we got married, and the reception too. If I had to say so myself, the entire place looked beyond regal and elegant.

“Malinda started crying when she saw everything last night,” I’d told her. “She said I’d been right and how dare she question me.” I’d smiled, feeling Malinda’s hug again. “I love her.”

“You got a good one there.” Heather had nodded, her flirty eyes growing serious and misty. “You’re a good one, Sam. I know you think you’re the lucky one, but it’s not you. We’re the lucky ones.”

I bit my lip, my throat swelling.

“Those friends you had before, they were assholes. They lost out, completely. There’s a reason Mason loves you, a reason Logan loves you like a sister and has since day one. A reason Malinda cherishes you so much. A reason Mark adores you, and not just because he’s your stepbrother. They all love you because of you. You’re amazing, and you have no idea how good of a person you are.”

We’d stood in front of the bathroom mirror, and I turned so I was half-hidden by the tampon bin. I felt the tears flowing and couldn’t do anything to stop them.

“Sam.” Heather had pulled me into her arms. She’d hugged me, and while it should’ve been awkward because both of us had our hair done up and makeup on, it wasn’t.

I’d hugged her back, whispering, “Thank you.”

She was the friend I needed who’d appeared at just the right time. And there’d never be words enough for me to express my gratitude to her.

“Thank you,” she’d whispered back. I’d felt her tears on my shoulder.

A moment later, I’d stepped back and fluffed her dress out. “See? Another reason my taste is spectacular. Another bride couldn’t have done that.” I’d smoothed my own dress.

Heather had laughed, dabbing at her eyes. “Yes, another reason.”

And she was dabbing at her eyes now too, as she held the microphone. Putting her glass down, she reached for a balled-up tissue.

“I haven’t even started.” She laughed huskily. “I hope it’s okay, Mason, but I’m going to center more on Sam.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

She cleared her throat, patting the side of her dress so it was smooth. “So, I have a lot of friends from Roussou and my boyfriend . . .” She gave him a soft smile, and Channing nodded from where he sat at the end of Mason’s groomsmen. “He lives and works there, and he grew up there. I went to Fallen Crest, and Samantha doesn’t know this because she’s never stopped to think about it, but she was actually one of the first good friends I had. I grew up with Roussou people, so my Fallen Crest friends were lacking, until one day I’m sitting outside the bar my dad owned at the time, and here comes this skinny, gorgeous girl. She’s all sweaty and looking at me like she’s a lost puppy wondering if she can have something to eat. I think I scared you that day, but you thanked me earlier today for becoming your friend at just the right time. You don’t know this . . .”

Her voice grew hoarse, and she blinked back tears. “But you did the same for me. I needed a friend too; I just didn’t know it. You always say I’m the tough one, but that’s not true. It’s you. You’re so strong, and I am beyond blessed that you chose me. Like Nate and Logan, I don’t consider you a friend. You’re a sister to me, and I’ve never had one of those. So thank you for that.” She bit off the last word, unable to keep going. Her tears were blinding her.

Standing, I took the microphone from her and pulled her in for a hug. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but that’d been the story today. I was crying one second, then laughing the next. I knew we were just starting the evening too.

Heather tucked her head into the crook of my neck and shoulder. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” I pulled back and grabbed the microphone. It hadn’t caught that, but I wanted to be safe. I passed it off to Mason and looked back to Heather. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Channing knows, but don’t tell anyone. We’ll announce it later. Will you be her godmother?”