before she headed to the big round table she was sharing with her siblings and their significant others. Noting that her mother, who was sitting with her close friends, had a worried look on her face, Sophie made sure to stop by her seat.
“It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it, Mom?”
“It was,” her mother agreed. But Mary’s eyes were too perceptive by half. “You’ve done enough work, Sophie. Have some fun.”
“I am,” she told her mother. And she was.
Kissing Jake McCann was the most fun she’d ever had in her life.
Lori and Jake walked by just then, arm in arm, Lori laughing at something he’d said, then punching him in the shoulder, hard enough that Sophie was fairly certain he was hiding a wince of pain behind his smile.
“Tell Jake he needs to get out from behind that bar, too. I want him to celebrate with the rest of us.”
Her mother had never asked her about her feelings for Jake. But Sophie had never been able to hide what was in her heart from her mother. Especially not now, when she was feeling more than she ever had for the man who had stolen her heart when she’d been a little girl, and had taken more of it every year that passed.
“I know how much you love to dance, and he’s the perfect height to be your partner,” Mary Sullivan suggested before kissing her daughter’s cheek.
Sophie felt her eyes grow wet. Of course her mother hadn’t commented on her makeup, her hair, or the dress. She’d simply seen beneath everything on the outside straight to what was going on inside.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” Mary Sullivan kissed her again. “Now, be sure to tell your brothers to keep those speeches clean.”
Budding tears gave way to laughter as Sophie said, “Would it be bad if I told Zach and Ryan they’re needed on the other side of town, instead?”
Her mother laughed with her at the thought that her brothers would even think about staying in line when given the chance to say something shocking about Chase in front of such a large crowd.
Sophie quickly stopped by Chase and Chloe’s seats. “Is everything going okay so far?”
Chloe hugged her tight. “It’s the most beautiful wedding in the world. I can hardly believe it’s mine.”
“Thanks, sis,” Chase said, “You’re one heck of a wedding planner.”
Sophie didn’t bother to hide her wide grin. She adored Chloe and was beyond thrilled for Chase. “If it’s okay with both of you, I’d like to get rolling on the speeches.”
When they agreed, Sophie walked up to the table where her brothers and sister were waiting for her to set them loose. Before anyone could ask her where she’d been for the past half hour, she gave the microphone to Marcus. “You’re first, and then pass the microphone to the next oldest. Jake will go after the boys, then Lori and I will go last.”
Smith was frowning as he looked between her and Jake. She’d known her family was going to be watching her very carefully when she walked back into the reception area, and that even the slightest indication that something had happened to her would send all six of her brothers on a rampage. Especially given her new look for the wedding, she knew they were already suspicious that something was going on. She took her seat and flashed a bright smile at Smith, thankful when Marcus stood up and all eyes turned to him.
“This is a big day for the Sullivans.” The guests immediately stopped talking and focused their attention on Marcus. “I’m sure there are some who thought the day would never come when one of us would say ‘I do’.” As the crowd laughed at his on-point observation, Sophie worked like crazy not to stare at Jake, who was seated next to Lori at the far end of the large table. “Now that it has, I know there isn’t a single one of us who is surprised.”
Marcus turned from the crowd to face Chase and Chloe. “Chloe, if I had tried, I couldn’t have found a partner more perfect for my