Page 124 of Irreplaceable

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” She gave me a watery smile then pulled me into a hug. “You’re my best friend, Harper. And I’m so, so happy for you.”

“Jules,” I chided, pulling away and swiping beneath my eye to catch my tears. “You promised not to make me cry.”

She laughed and dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue. “I know. I know. I’m sorry. I just— Gah! I can’t think of anyone more deserving of happiness.”

“Now you know how I felt when you married Harrison.” I smiled, and so did she.

Sometimes it was mind-blowing to think of how far we’d all come. The past few years had seen so many changes for all of us. Alexis had remarried and had Blair, with a third baby on the way. Lauren and Hunter had a fur baby they adored and a second house in Paris. Juliana had found a second chance at love with Harrison, and she doted on her bonus daughter, Olivia. And I had fallen in love with Enzo and given birth to Aiden. And through it all, our friendship had been the one constant.

“Harrison and I finally found a vacation home,” Juliana said.

“That’s great. Did you decide on Vail or Big Sky?”

She looked as if she might burst from excitement. “Neither. We bought one here—in the Alondra Valley.”

“What?” I jerked my head back. “Seriously?”

“Yep. We’re thinking of spending the summer and Christmas here. And when we’re not using the house, we’ll rent it out.”

“Oh, that’s the best news!” I gave her arm a squeeze. I was so happy that she loved my hometown as much as I did. And that we’d get to see each other more often now that Enzo and I had left LA permanently.

There was a knock at the door, and Dad cleared his throat. “You ready?”

Juliana gave me a hug. “I’ll see you out there.” Then she said to Dad, “She’s all yours, Doc.”

He smiled. “Not for much longer.” He stepped into the room and kissed my cheek. “Oh, Harper. You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, Dad. You look rather handsome yourself.”

“This old thing.” He brushed his knuckles against his lapels, but I could tell he was proud of his new suit. Enzo had insisted on buying it for him as a gift. They’d become close, especially since the move, and I loved that my dad treated Enzo like another son.

I laughed and looped my arm through Dad’s. “Let’s do this.”

“Yes, let’s. Otherwise, I fear your groom is going to break down the door and toss you over his shoulder.”

It wouldn’t be the first time.

I laughed to myself as Dad led me outside, where everyone was waiting. Our gardens were lush and blooming thanks to Mom’s landscaping expertise. Two rows of chairs lined the aisle, and they were filled with friends and family. Enzo’s mamma, his nonna, Val. A number of his teammates from throughout his career. Friends and family from my past and present—everyone was there to celebrate us.

Enzo stood at the front beneath a pergola draped in flowering vines. The music shifted, and everyone turned to face me, but I only had eyes for my groom. I saw him before he saw me, and I felt the same way I had the first time I’d laid eyes on him in the market in Bali.

He was devastatingly handsome in his gray suit and white button-down shirt. His olive skin glistened in the sun, his smile bright as he focused on Aiden. His dark brown hair was tousled as always, and just like that first time—like every time—something about him made it difficult to look away.

He lifted his head, and I knew the moment he saw me because his mouth formed the sexiest “o.” And then he scanned me from head to toe, his gaze a smolder. Everyone else ceased to exist. It was just the two of us, and my skin heated from his intensity.

He placed a hand over his heart and mouthed, “Mio dio.”

“Mama!” Aiden cheered, and everyone laughed, even me. Enzo and I smiled at our son as I took my place at the altar, whispering, “Ti amo,” before he did the same.

We recited our vows—a mix of Italian and English. Traditional and modern. The ceremony was something uniquely our own, just like our love story.

And then the officiant pronounced us husband and wife. Enzo took me in his arms, claiming me with a kiss that set my skin ablaze with desire. Everyone clapped, and I couldn’t wait for our wedding night. We’d both been so busy lately with the move and the wedding and raising a toddler, that I was craving some alone time with my husband.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said a while later, kissing my temple as the photographer took our photo.

“I think you’ve given me enough surprises for one lifetime,” I teased.

“I don’t think I could ever give you enough.”