Of all his brothers, he was closest to Zach. They’d definitely spent the most time together. Still, there was still no deep confiding. He sometimes wondered if Zach ever felt anything deep enough to confide.
“And I’ll say again, are you just going to stare at her? You’re starting to look like a damn stalker.”
He hadn’t realized he’d been staring at Mia again. Seemed only natural to watch the woman he loved. Even when he wasn’t thinking about her directly, he couldn’t let her out of his sight.
Luke looked over, clearly surprised by Nick’s silence. “Seriously? You’re not going to growl at me? Tell me to mind my own business?”
“She asked me to give her some space.”
Luke paused with the beer halfway to his lips, thought a second, then took a long drink.
“What? You’re not going to tell me to ignore her? Say something like, when did I ever not do exactly what I wanted?”
Luke picked at the label on his bottle. “Nope.”
Nick looked over at his brother, staring at nothing, and watched him throw back the rest of his drink. Something made him wonder if maybe Luke had been told the same thing by a woman recently. “I’m going to be closing that gap of space soon.”
“Good for you,” Luke said, sounding sincere, and Nick wondered again what had happened to his brother.
“Look.” Nick brought the bottle to his lips, giving himself another minute. “I wanted to say something to you.”
“You don’t have to,” Luke said quickly and shifted on his feet.
“Just listen for a damn second. You never would listen to me.” He sighed heavily. “But I guess I’m sorry for trying so hard to make you. I didn’t know how to be a father.”
“I was seventeen. I didn’t need one.”
“No. You didn’t.”
“And you were a bossy know-it-all long before Mom and Dad died.”
Nick smiled. Probably true. “I’m proud of you. Who you are and what you do. I’m sorry for the part I had in pushing you toward it. The things I said—”
“Are long forgotten. And if we’re going to get sappy, I’m proud of you, too.”
“So we’re good?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. We’re good.” They both watched Hannah walk toward the dance floor. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Damn. He’d known it was coming. But… damn. “I figured as much. It’s good that you stayed.”
“I love her, too,” Luke said guilty. “Even if I didn’t stick the way I should have… you’re not the only one who loves her.”
“I know you do. Where’re you going?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll be in touch when I can.”
Dallas, now Luke. Two brothers gone. “Be safe.”
“You, too. I think I’ll dance with the bride one last time. And leave some parting warnings for our groom.”
Luke walked to the dance floor, and Nick fingered the diamond ring in his pocket. He’d been carrying it with him for a few weeks now. Mia laughed with a group of women. Though he couldn’t hear it over the music, he could see it. The tilt of her head, the soft lines around her eyes and the smile. He continued to watch.
She glanced up as if sensing him, and their eyes met across the dark and sparkling space. He thought about what Hannah had asked of him. Was it really that easy? For so many years of his, life happiness had been synonymous with Mia. He’d stolen her happiness, too.
It was time to give it back.
Chapter 24
MIA STOOD OFF TO the side, watching Stephen and Hannah delicately feed each other the bites of wedding cake, a beautiful five-tier white and off-white with delicate sugar flowers and real flowers and sprigs of green draping down the side. As the maid of honor, she dutifully held the bouquet, made a short-and-sweet toast wishing the couple a long and happy life. There wasn’t a second she wasn’t acutely aware of where Nick was in the room.
She’d danced with the bridesmaids and talked to a thousand McKinney relatives. The entire day suited Hannah flawlessly. Simple and sweet. The white bouquet was elegant, the flowers delicate, and the strands of midnight blue woven through spoke of strength.
Everyone’s hair was up except Hannah’s. That had been Lizzie’s idea. Hannah was too thoughtful to tell anyone how to wear their hair, especially in an effort to make herself stand out, but the effect was beautiful and added another layer of dramatic perfection.
But the real perfection had come when Stephen McKinney had gotten his first look at his bride coming down the aisle. That was it. The dress and flowers might be what little girls dreamed of, but it was that look of unwavering love that every woman wanted.