Perfect Kiss (31 page)
Shelby was quiet. For a long time. So long that dread started to fill Levi’s chest.
Oh shit.
What if she didn’t like the ring and, now that he’d told her that story, she felt like she had to keep it?
“But we can get you a new one—”
Shelby looked up at him, shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No, I love it,” she sniffed. “Thank you for telling me that. I loved it before you told me the story behind it, but now, I love it even more. I love you.”
“I love you,” he said right before she pressed her lips to his.
What started out as a sweet, slow kiss quickly turned into more, and they showed each other how much they loved each other once more in the office and then, again, after they’d fallen into bed after four a.m.
Shelby fell asleep first, snuggled against Levi’s chest, her warm breath fanning over his neck. He closed his eyes knowing that with Shelby by his side, he was the luckiest man in the world.
Epilogue
‡
“H
appy birthday, bro. And congratulations!” Lucas said as he pulled his brother into a bear hug.
“Thanks, man. And thanks for coming on such short notice,” Levi said as he patted his brother’s back. “I know you have a fight coming up.”
Levi and Shelby had decided on a short engagement. Forty-eight hours to be exact. They’d gotten married this morning, on his birthday, at Henry’s ranch. Her sister, Sara, had flown up to be there, and of course, a lot of Hope Falls’ residents had attended. The ceremony had been short and sweet. Like, five minutes total. Shelby had said that she didn’t want a lot of fuss. She just wanted to say their vows and get to the party—a.k.a. the reception they were having at the bar.
They had taken a short detour before arriving and had a private party of their own.
“Are you kidding me? I still can’t believe you did it. My big brother, who always said that there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell he’d get married, actually did the deed.” Lucas shook his head as he sighed. “I’m just sorry I missed the ceremony.”
Lucas’ flight had been delayed. They’d offered to wait, but he’d insisted that they go along as planned and he would get there as soon as he could.
“So, that’s our old man, huh?” Lucas tipped his beer towards Charlie, who was talking with Logan as they played pool.
“Yep. That’s him.”
Levi had been torn about whether or not he should invite Charlie to the wedding. Shelby had been the one to convince him. She’d said that, worst-case scenario, he’d prove himself to be an asshole down the road and they could Photoshop him out of all the pictures. Best case, he ended up being a part of their lives and he was able to share their special day with them.
His wife was pretty damn smart. He still didn’t know how he’d gotten so damn lucky.
“Do you want me to go over with you?” Levi asked his brother.
“Nah. I’ll let them talk. I’ll go say hi later,” Lucas said before scanning the room. “Where’s Adam?”
“Am I that boring?” Levi teased.
“Yes,” Lucas said flatly. “You are.”
Levi smiled as he looked for his cousin. He found him sitting at a table with Nikki, Mike, and Jane. Yesterday, when he’d asked Adam how long he was staying, his cousin had told him that he was tired of traveling and ready to put down some roots. The conversation had been vague—as they always were when talking to Adam about anything personal—but Levi had a feeling he might be there for a while.
Levi pointed to his cousin. “He’s over there.”
“Who is
that
?” Lucas asked, his eyes widening.
Levi followed his brother’s gaze. When he saw the object of Lucas’ questioning, he wanted to punch him. “That’s your new sister-in-law.”
Shelby was talking and laughing with her uncle. Her hair was falling down around her shoulders, and instead of wearing a traditional wedding dress, she had decided to wear a white, strapless summer dress. It was simple, but on her, it was breathtaking. Literally. Levi had a hard time breathing when he’d seen her this morning. She was gorgeous.
“Oh, damn! No wonder you locked that down! Good job, bro!” Lucas slapped Levi on the shoulder.
He wasn’t surprised his brother had enthusiastically approved. He and Lucas had always had similar taste in women.
When Shelby saw that Levi was looking at her, she smiled. They were in a room filled with their friends and family, but in that moment, they all disappeared. He didn’t know a lot about women, but he knew his wife—and she was happy. Happier than he’d ever seen her. And he was going to spend the rest of his life making sure she stayed that way.
The End
Here are some facts about Domestic violence:
• Domestic violence can happen to anyone.
• 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.
• Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear, intimidation and sometimes violence.
National Hotlines United States
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers, and counseling.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
Secret Kiss
Adam Dorsey’s story
Secret Kiss
Coming June 2015
Other Titles by Melanie Shawn
THE HOPE FALLS SERIES
One Sweet Day
Novella #4.5
