They got married at sunset on a beach in Maui, with Sergei, Dani, Jake, and Whitney. As expected, Kane and Hailey had declined because they were too busy getting ready for their own wedding, but it was still a sweet, intimate ceremony with people they cared about. Laurel wore an asymmetrical flowing white dress with spaghetti straps that was low-cut in the front. Gage wore slacks and an open, button-down shirt that he left untucked. They were barefoot, feet in the sand as they said their vows. Just as the sun started to slip into the horizon, he put the most magnificent ring on her finger—the same one he’d given her more than thirteen years ago.
“Where did you get it?” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“Your father saved it after you took it off, said he knew we’d need it again someday.” Mo hadn’t been able to go because Dawn’s son had graduation this weekend, but they’d made a plan to see each other soon.
“I love you, Gage.”
“I love you, too.” She wasn’t surprised when he handed her his original wedding band as well. She’d known he’d saved it and it meant so much more putting it on his finger once again.
When they finally kissed, there was so much hope and promise in his eyes, she nearly cried from sheer elation. His lips nuzzled hers, kissing her firmly but gently as the justice of the peace pronounced them husband and wife.
“About time!” Dani called out, laughing.
Their friends hugged them and they walked from the beach up to the villa they’d rented. A fantastic dinner had been laid out for them and they sat on the lanai watching the water and sunset as they talked and celebrated.
“I loved my wedding,” Dani said, “but this is pretty cool too.”
“If I could get away with it,” Whitney said, “I totally would, but my grandmother is having no part of it. I can barely get a word in edgewise for my own wedding. Luckily, she has exquisite taste and I do get to choose my dress and the bridesmaid dresses.”
“How many are you having?” Laurel asked her.
Whitney rolled her eyes. “Twelve.”
“Twelve?” Gage repeated, staring at her.
She held up her hands, palms up. “This is my grandmother’s dream wedding, I only get to be there.”
“Well, you still get to marry me,” Jake pointed out, laughing.
“Thank god. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
“So…twelve guys to go with the twelve girls?” Sergei asked him.
“Yup, but that’s okay. I have a whole hockey team at my disposal,” Jake grinned. “Aaron’s my best man, then I’ve got you, Kane, Gage, Mikka, and Logan. Even though it wasn’t my choice, Gran said Whitney’s brother, Brett, has to be included, as well as two cousins I’ve never even met.”
“That still leaves…” Gage did a quick mental calculation. “Three open spots.”
“Like I said, there’s a whole hockey team at my disposal. I guess I should get on that, huh?”
They all laughed.
“Speaking of which, what happens now?” Dani asked. “With the coaching staff, I mean?”
“I think Marshall did a fantastic job,” Laurel responded. “We’re talking about giving him the head coach position.”
“We?” Sergei quirked a smile at them.
“Laurel is sharing ownership of the team with me,” Gage said, sliding his arm over the back of her chair and gently toying with the bare skin of her shoulder. “We’re going to be interviewing candidates all summer, I guess. My first choice would have been Drake Riser, from the Sidewinders, but he probably won’t move to Anchorage.”
“Is he retiring?” Kane asked in surprise.
“Yeah. He won’t make an official announcement until the season’s over, but that’s his plan. He turned thirty-seven in April and he wants to spend time with the family, watch his kids grow up. I don’t blame him.”
“Who’s next on your list?”
“We have a fairly extensive list, but I don’t want to talk shop tonight.” He gazed at his wife. “I kind of just want to listen to the waves and hang out with my bride and our friends.”
“To good friends.” Sergei lifted his flute of champagne.
“To happy marriages.” Whitney raised hers.
“To the most wonderful man in the world,” Laurel said softly. “My love, my heart, my superhero.”
“Now that’s something I’ll drink to,” Kane grinned.
The last of the sun disappeared behind the horizon as their glasses clinked together.
If you enjoyed LOSING LAUREL, please consider leaving a review at the retailer of your choice—just a couple of sentences makes such a difference.
Also, take a peek on the next page for a snippet from one of the stories in Sidewinders: Ever After, a collection of short stories and novellas, that’s next in the series.