“What?” Trent’s mom whirls around with wide eyes. Everyone else is mimicking her expression perfectly. “Right now? But I’m not ready!” She frantically combs through her hair with her fingers then straightens her already straight shirt.
“Good thing you’re not the one getting married then, huh, Mom?” Trent teases.
“Oh, Trent.” She embraces him. “Are we really doing this right now? You don’t want to wait a little while and throw a big party with lots of people?”
“Definitely not,” Trent says quickly.
Tears stream down her cheeks.
I knew it. She’s upset with us. She’s going to object to this union an–
“I’m so happy,” she says, fanning her cheeks.
Oh, those arehappytears. The tension eases from my shoulders. I should have known, but I’m still learning about his family. Not everyone answers questions as easily as Trent does.
“Are you for real right now?” Juliet grabs my shoulders.
“Dead serious.” I beam.
“Eek!” she squeals. “This is the best day ever.”
“What about our wedding?” Michael asks, slipping his arm around his wife’s waist.
Her eyes fill with heart emojis, and she leans into him. “Okay, second best.”
“Come on everyone,” Sean calls. “These two have to get on the road soon.”
Everyone gathers in the sitting room. Trent is standing next to the Christmas tree with Sean, waiting for me. Since I don’t have a father to walk me down the makeshift aisle, Mr. Bentley graciously offers his arm. I take it. I’ve always wanted a family; now I have more than I ever could have dreamed.
Marrying a man I started dating a month ago may be reckless, but I think I found something my mom never managed to. True love and a commitment to always be there for one another, no matter what. And should I ever hear from her again, I plan to prove that those two things are possible. Even for Baker women like us.
Endless Loveturns on, and everyone looks confused; everyone but Trent who has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.
This is the right decision. For me.
“Whoa, slow down. I’m an old man.” Mr. Bentley chuckles.
“Sorry.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Just excited.”
He squeezes my hand that rests on the crook of his arm. “That’s all I need to hear. But I want you to know, even though I’m his dad, if he hurts you I will kick his butt.”
My heart swells with the love I’ve discovered in this family.
“He won’t,” I whisper.
My walk to Trent is quick, and then I’m handed off to him.
“Dearly beloved,” Sean starts, but Trent shoves him. “Sorry, sorry.” Sean laughs. “I was warned not to say or do anything I wasn’t supposed to. But I have to say one thing. Karli, there’s no one I’d rather share my best friend with than you.”
I feel honored and completely incapable of expressing what those words mean to me. So I only nod.
“Alright, now to the mumbo jumbo—sorry. The vows.” Sean motions to Trent to begin and Trent takes my other hand.
“Karli, I thought I knew what I wanted out of life until you came along. Then I realized nothing else mattered unless I had you. That road trip will always be my favorite adventure, but I can’t wait to see what else lies along our journey. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth. Because you’re my home.”
I cup his cheek. “Careful,” I whisper. “Your eyes are leaking.”
“Don’t let it rain only on me.” He grins, taking my hand and pulling it into his chest.
