His eyes moved over Robert’s shoulder to find me. His eyelids rose slightly, that grin widening. “To give you both my congratulations.”

“You weren’t on the invitee list.”

Jack looked back to Robert. “My father was. He believed it was a mere oversight that I wasn’t invited to the engagement party of an old college friend. And when I heard it was to the one and only Ms. Deborah Tate, I just had to be here.”

“Thanks for coming to celebrate with us, Jack,” I managed to say. “But we have an important engagement to make.” I decided to speak because I could feel the growing tension in Robert’s body with each word Jack spoke.

“Now, what could be more important than welcoming an old friend at a party to celebrate your love. Am I right?” Jack’s gaze shifted from me to Robert and back to me again. That was when he held up the champagne flute he held in his right hand. “I mean, kudos to you, Deborah. The girl from Kentucky scored big with the Townsend from Williamsport. You’re a long—”

“Robert, no!” I implored in a hushed tone, trying not to draw attention to the fact that Robert had literally just wrapped his hand around Jack Lassiter’s throat. Thank God we were still in the hallway, apart from most of the partygoers.

“Did you think I was fucking kidding when I told you I’d kill you five years ago?” Robert questioned through gritted teeth.

I moved closer, squeezing his free hand in mine.

“Robert,” I whispered. “Don’t do this here. Don’t let him ruin our wedding night.” I said it low enough so only he could here. I watched as his grip on Jack’s throat loosened slightly.

Robert glanced down at his arm then back up to Jack. “You spilled champagne on my tuxedo. Apologize.”

“L-let g-go,” Jack struggled to get out.

“Apologize.”

“S-sorry.”

Slowly, Robert released Jack, leaving him coughing and struggling for enough oxygen to restore his normal breathing pattern. With one last glare at his former friend, Robert wrapped his arm around my waist and led us through the throngs of partygoers toward the front door.

Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t the only hassle that stood in between Robert and I getting married that night.

****

Then

Robert

“I can’t believe we’re going to do this,” Deborah stated as we exited the front door of Townsend Manor. “Are you one hundred percent sure about this?”

I paused, turning to her as we reached the driveway of the Manor. Staring into those blue eyes, I briefly thanked my stars that I would be able to look into those same eyes every night before I went to sleep. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.” I froze, not wanting to ask my next question but also needing to. “Are you having doubts?”

She paused and it felt like my whole world stopped spinning, as if my very fate rested in her response … because it did.