Falling for Ezra Thomas (Life With the Thomas Brothers #4)

23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lorelai

Way back when we started planning Vivien’s wedding, I had not anticipated standing beside her as her maid of honor, completely and foolishly in love with her best friend…who stands beside his twin as the best man. But that’s how things have worked out, and here we are, a mere seven months after my sister’s whirlwind romance and short engagement, in front of God and everyone in Coldstone Creek, and it’s raining.

People scramble to get under the tents while I hold an umbrella over the beautiful bride. Her strapless, lace covered dress is still gorgeous even spotted with rain. In fact, she looks so stunning, I’m not sure Beck even knows it’s raining. Ezra tries to keep him dry while another of the groomsmen keeps the pastor covered.

A little rain isn’t going to slow this wedding down. I grin at Ezra, who shakes his head and lays a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He leans in and says, “Earth to Beck? Are you going to keep staring at her, or say I do and make her your bride?”

Beck snaps out of his stupor and smiles. And it’s not some small, forced smile that’s usually on his face when social situations require something more than scowling. It’s wide and bright and so full of adoration for my sister.

He huffs out a breath and nods. “I do. Forever, Vivien, I do.”

“Then by all means, kiss your bride,” Pastor says.

Beck practically tackles my sister and kisses her, his new wife. Our families cheer and the whole town erupts, temporarily leaving the safety of the cover to shower them with flowers as they walk back down the aisle. The whole City Hall courtyard has been turned into a beautiful backdrop for the wedding, and even the storm clouds can’t stop people from rejoicing.

Ezra and I toss the umbrellas—Beck and Viv aren’t even using them anyway as they kiss and trample through puddles—and he offers me his arm. I take it and let him lead me down the aisle beside him while the others follow us. Soon, everyone spreads out for the obligatory announcements, dances, and serving of dinner.

Finally, the rain ends and the sun peeks above a few clouds. With the excitement settling and everyone mingling, we’re finally able to sit and enjoy the food. I chew a bite of chicken and glance around at everyone again, giddy with the feel of love in the air. For now, everything is right as, well, rain. And even though Ezra will be sent to his duty station soon, I know where we stand. I know what comes next, and I’m ready for it.

When my eyes land on Luna again, a thought comes to mind.

“Okay, is it just me or do you think Luna showing up without a date and giving Rafe googly eyes all night means anything?” I ask. “Please tell me I’m not the only one still pulling for them.”

“I thought I was just emotional, but she did sort of indicate that day at the cabin that she still loves him,” Vivien admits. She smiles again and looks at her new husband. I know my sister is in good hands with Beck, especially when he looks back at her like she is the beginning and ending of his whole life.

“No, I noticed. She keeps sneaking glances at him,” Beck adds. “I told him to ask her to dance, but he said no because she’s moved on.”

“Doesn’t look like she has to me,” Ezra says. “In fact, I think if he acted like a man and went after her, she’d fall in love all over again.”

“Yeah, well, if that talk at the cabin meant anything, then it won’t take much of a nudge,” Vivien says.

I follow her line of sight and catch Luna staring at Rafe again while he chats with the elder Thomas boys. Her black hair is pulled into an updo that shows off her tanned, slender neck. She’s hard to miss in her red dress that I have no doubt was chosen for Rafe’s benefit, but the doofus is missing every cue she’s giving him. His second chance seems to be slipping through his fingers.

“Should we talk to her?” I ask. “Maybe go sit with her?”

“Yeah. We should. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet,” Vivien says.

My sister adjusts her gown and stands with Beck’s help, but just as we take a few steps towards Luna’s table, Rafe finally turns around and scans the room. When his eyes fall on Luna, she smiles and looks down at her shoes.

“Wait. Wait a minute,” I say and grab Ezra’s hand. “Let’s see how this plays out.”

Rafe takes a deep breath, fidgets with the lapels of his tux, and finally makes a move. He crosses the distance between them and speaks to her, though I can’t make out what he says. Luna finally looks up and nods. Rafe offers his hand and Luna accepts.

“I guess that’s a good sign, right?” I ask.

“He’s still crazy in love with her, so I hope so. He’s going to take Beck’s place as the town house grump if they don’t get back together,” Ezra says.

“There is literally nothing you can say to me today to put me in a bad mood, but nice try.” Beck sighs and motions towards the crowded dance floor. “Want to dance, wife?”

“I’m never going to get used to that,” Vivien says but accepts his offer, leaving Ezra and me alone.

I still can’t get used to how he looks now. Even the way he carries himself is different. There’s more confidence, more fierce determination that has always been there, but shadowed by the weight of so many Thomas brothers before him. He’s found what makes him stand out, and I’m so proud of him. I just hope I can be what he needs when those deployments end and he’s stressed.

“Want to dance with me?” he asks.

“As if the answer would be no. Please, I’ve been waiting all day.” I take his outstretched hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. Once I’m in his arms, he relaxes and looks over at his elder brother.

“Do you really think they have a chance again?”

“I do, actually.” I snuggle closer. “How long do I have you for again?”

“A whole week, then I have to go back to Georgia.”

“I can’t believe you got stationed there for now. That’s lucky. A quicker drive than, say, across the world.” I toy with the nape of his neck where his hair used to be and end up massaging little circles instead.

“Still, it’s good to know you’re ready and willing to follow me there.”

“Under certain conditions of course. Have you put any thought into what those might be?” I tease.

Ezra ducks his head to whisper in my ear. “Pretty sure the first requirement is to make you my wife.”

I can’t help but hum with joy. “You Thomas boys move so fast. At this rate, we’ll be attending ten weddings in less than a year.”

“You up for moving fast?”

“For you? Yes,” I say and push up to kiss his cheek.

“You know technically Lev and Silas are not engaged.”

I laugh, interrupting him. “Oh, come on. You think those two are going to let Emma and Ella slip away? Nope. Guarantee they’ll be married within a year.”

“Well, putting Rafe aside just in case he and Luna get back together, that leaves Mav, Novan, Case, Griffin, and Wilder wifeless with zero prospects right now. None of them are even dating anyone, so my guess is this frenzied search for the perfect Thomas brothers wives ends with you, my sweet Lorelai.”

I shrug, knowing how fast things can change in life and in love.

“Never know. The perfect women for them might be closer than you think,” I say, but in a small town like Coldstone Creek, the odds are stacked against them. Still, I have a good feeling this is just the beginning of the sudden growth spurt of the Thomas family.

“Eh, who cares? I’ve got my future right here, and that’s all I need to know.” Ezra leans in and kisses me again, only this time he has a plan to steal as many as possible. Dark clouds descend again, and when the time is right, and the rain begins, he grabs my hand and we dart down Main Street away from the reception and towards his mother’s bakery.

“Ez, we can’t leave our siblings’ wedding!”

He spins on his heel and picks me up. “Who said we were leaving? We are merely picking up a cake for my mother, that’s all. But hey, too bad we can’t transport it until this rain slacks off a little. Want to grab a corner booth and work on that making up for lost time kissing again?”

I grin and let him pull me into the darkened bakery for a few stolen minutes. We might as well get used to living one moment to the next, because something tells me my soldier’s career has only just begun.