“Your asshole dad isn’t here. You invited him, I know you did. Eric gave you the guy’s address, and then he made sure an agent personally delivered the fellow’s invitation.”

She had to swallow the lump in her throat.

“Your prick of a dad didn’t come, so fuck him.” Ben’s voice was completely flat. “You don’t need him. You have a family that loves you. So…if it’s okay with you…” He backed up.

She turned to face him.

Ben offered his arm to her. “It would be my honor to walk you down the aisle.”

She reached for his arm. “I’m not pissed by the offer of your help.” Piper leaned onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “But I am touched. Yes, Ben, I’d like that very much.”

***

The music was playing. The church was full of people. But Piper wasn’t walking down the aisle.

Where was she? Shouldn’t she have appeared by now? Eric pulled at the collar of his shirt.

And where was his damn best man? Ben had stood beside him earlier, but now the guy had pulled a disappearing act. If the fellow ruined this wedding, Eric was going to kick his younger brother’s ass.

Piper. Main issue is Piper. He couldn’t relax, not until he saw her. Eric still had this terrible feeling that she was going to turn away from him, that he’d lose his dream. He couldn’t take a deep enough breath, not until he saw her.

Simon slid from the front pew. “Man, you look like you’re about to pass out.”

Everybody stood up. Jesus. They were in his way. He strained to see around them. “My dumbass brother is missing—”

“No,” Simon corrected him. “He’s right where he’s supposed to be.”

Then Eric saw her. Saw them.

Piper was walking down the aisle. She was carrying a bouquet of blood-red roses, and when she saw Eric, a giant smile curled her beautiful lips.

She wasn’t alone. Ben was at her side. They walked together as they came toward Eric.

And…

Eric understood. Understood so much.

His shoulders straightened as he hurried to meet her. There were murmurs from the crowd, but screw them. Piper was his partner. And he couldn’t wait.

Ben laughed, and he inclined his head to Eric. “She’ll always be my best friend.” Sadness came and went in his eyes. “But she’ll be so much more to you.” He clapped his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Love her, cherish her, and always protect her…or I swear I will kick your ass, big brother or not.”

Love her, cherish her, and always protect her. “She’s my life.” If he didn’t keep her happy, he’d deserve that ass kicking.

Eric took Piper’s hand in his. Held her carefully, oddly worried he’d crush her.