Nuclear Heat (Firework Girls #4) (21 page)

We nod at her and I ask, “Is that all right?”

Her face is still puzzling something out. “Hang on. Your invitation was a
text.”

“Well, it got you here didn’t it?” I say grinning, and the other girls start to laugh. In another second, Chloe joins in.

She looks at Grayson in amusement. “I’m thinking they may have had the right idea.” I’m relieved to see she’s not bothered.

“You just didn’t want to be the last Firework Girl to get married, did you?” she asks teasingly.

I wink at her. “We saved the best for last, sweetie.”

I turn to Jack, who pulls me to his side while gesturing to one of his clients, Marcus. He’s a professional chef and an amateur photographer, he restores classic cars and keeps bees in his backyard, he has two full tat sleeves and a long beard, and is an ordained mail-order minister. We had him over for beer and brats the other day as a thank you for his upcoming service to us, and spent the evening laughing at his decidedly un-minister-like stories. He’s the perfect person to marry us.

Marcus works his way to the front, wearing a friendly smile. Jack introduces him to the crowd, then lets him take over. As Marcus brings forward the witnesses who will sign the marriage license later, Jack and I keep looking at each other and smiling. We’re holding each other’s hand, and standing so close our arms touch and intertwine, shoulder to inner wrist.

And that’s exactly how we stand, looking into each other’s eyes, as Marcus begins the simple ceremony we wanted. It’s how we stand as we say our vows, and it’s how we’re standing when we officially become husband and wife.

Still holding my hand, Jack puts his other hand around my waist, and just in time, because I could use his support. He brings his lips to mine and carries me away in that delicious, raging flood that is all Jack.

Chloe’s wedding ceremony was one for the books, and the reception we’re enjoying is so grand and beautiful, it nearly tops Isabella’s.

Chloe’s wearing a gorgeous gown with a delicate, applique bodice and a flounced, layered Organza skirt. Her auburn hair is in a graceful updo, with little wisps framing her glowing face. Grayson is the proud and handsome groom, who cannot stop smiling at his new bride.

We’re all at the bridal table, sitting through a stream of toasts that are sometimes heartfelt and touching, other times awkward and overly-long, but Chloe and Grayson seem to like each one, so I figure that’s what counts. And yes, I toasted them too.

What I didn’t do was drink to them.

I didn’t drink to any toast.

I just sort of went through the motions, which I figured would be good enough since I’m not exactly the center of everyone’s attention right now anyway.

But after the toasts are over and we’re back to chatting happily at the table—Chloe on my left and Jack on my right—Isabella calls me out on it. I don’t think she means to. She just sort of looks at my still-full glass and absently says, “Hey, Sam, why aren’t you drinking your champagne?”

Then she gets this look and her eyebrows shoot up. “Oh my god, are you pregnant?!”

Suddenly everyone at the table is looking at us.

We didn’t want to steal Chloe’s thunder. God knows that girl deserves her moment at last, but one look at Jack and I know he’s giving it away. He’s wearing that big, goofy grin he’s been wearing ever since he found out. I can’t help it. I smile too.

Chloe squeals and launches herself at me. “Oh my god, I’m so happy for you!”

From around the table, we’re bombarded with exclamations and congratulations and questions about when did we find out and how am I feeling and when am I due.

It’s a little overwhelming, but Jack and I keep exchanging grins anyway.

“You’re going to be
such
a great mom,” Ashley says.

I give her a grateful smile. I’m not at all sure I’ll be a good mom, but I’m determined not to let that get the better of me. I’ll try my best.

“I don’t know about that,” I say. “But Jack will be a great dad.”

I have
no
doubts there.

“Oh my gosh,” Isabella says, “I can just see it. Jack’s going to be the fun dad who makes his kids feel awesome and loved, even when he has to use his dad voice.” I glance at Jack and see he’s blushing. Actually
blushing.
So freaking adorable.

“And Sam, you’re going to be like those cool Italian moms. You’re going to have that strong, steady love that your kids can count on, and a kitchen that constantly overflows with food.” My eyes are wide on Isabella, drinking in her every word. Will that be me? “And anyone who tries to mess with your kid will regret it for the rest of time.”

“Well, that’s for damned sure!” I say, and everyone laughs.

“Yet she can be so
tender
and
nurturing
when she wants to be,” Jack says, teasing me and rubbing my shoulders.

“Cut it out,” I say sternly, and everyone laughs again. “I just hope I make it through the newborn stage without breaking it.”

“You’ll be fine,” Ashley says.

“But they’re so bitty.”

Ashley shrugs. “They’re tougher than you’d think.”

“Just like you,” Jack says, throwing his arm around my shoulder and giving me the kind of look that makes me pay attention. “Bitty but tough.”

I lean over and give him a kiss. God, I love this man. “This poor kid will have to be tough,” I say, “with parents like us.”

“She’ll have the coolest parents ever,” Jack says, leaning back easily.

“She?” Chloe asks excitedly. “Is it a girl?”

“We don’t know yet,” I say.

“It’s a girl,” Jack says confidently. I don’t know why he feels so sure. I haven’t admitted I think it’s a girl, too.

Isabella raises her glass, smiling broadly. “A toast! To the next Firework Girl.”

I smile as we all raise our glasses. We clink our glasses and drink (except me of course), and the table eventually dissolves into the happy chatter that marks so much of our time together.

I think back to when it all started. Back then, it was just Isabella, Chloe, Ashley and me, sitting around Delsa’s diner, downing obscenely huge plates of Volcano fries.

Now here we are, each of us married and me with a baby on the way.

How things change.

But I know one thing with certainty. No matter what comes our way, no matter what changes the future brings, the Firework Girls are forever.

The End

I was tempted to give Sam a nice, tidy ending with her father. I was tempted to give you, the reader, reassurance that he won’t be hanging over her head any more. After all as romance readers, we’re fans of the Happily Ever After. However, I felt that would be an injustice to the many, many people who have to live their entire lives with a toxic parent, with no easy out and no tidy ending. Sam’s power is this: regardless of what her father does or does not do, she found it within herself to create her own happy ending.

Perhaps someone reading this is an adult child of an alcoholic like me (mine is of the “functioning alcoholic” variety, thank god), or carries unwanted programming due to growing up in a stressful environment that felt out-of-control (like being raised by strict authoritarian parents, neglectful parents, chronically ill parents, codependent parents, or parents who are addicts of any sort). If so, education about the way these childhood environments can affect us as adults is critical, and a good support person or two to help with the sometimes frightening experience of deprogramming is invaluable.

Sam’s story touched me in ways I didn’t plan.

To all the Sam’s out there, Be the Dragonfly. Yo.

Make sure you don’t miss out on JL White’s next steamy book.
Get an email reminder on release day.

ISABELLA AND SHANE

Forbidden Heat (Firework Girls #1)

CHLOE AND GRAYSON

Midnight Heat (Firework Girls #2)

ASHLEY AND ERIK

Eternal Heat (Firework Girls #3)

SAM AND JACK

Nuclear Heat (Firework Girls #4)

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Introducing the next sizzling J.L. White series,
Beautiful Rivers.
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Coming Summer 2016.