Something Precious (Miami Stories Book 3) Read online

  Their home was plenty big, and everyone was comfortable, but it was the largest crowd Bill and Jana had entertained up until that point. It was crazy to see the house and backyard so packed.

  Bill and Jana were gracious hosts, letting the wedding planner rearrange everything for the purpose of setting up. There were chairs and tables set up all over the terrace and yard, and a place for a small dance floor. There was also space for dancing on sidewalks all around the pool. It was gorgeous, and the pool was pristine and inviting.

  We had all made wagers about how many people, if any, would fall in by the end of the night. We had a few lifeguards in plain clothes who took shifts watching the pool constantly so that we could relax and not worry about Reid or any of the other babies.

  For now, the pool was empty.

  Everyone was looking at Kayla, who had just stood up to make a speech. "Some of you might know this story already, but I was there when Jake asked Kristen to marry him," Kayla said. "I was hanging out with them when Jake gave my sister the ring. He told her he had it in his pocket; she said she wanted it; and he pulled it out of his pocket and gave it to her like it was no big deal." Kayla took a deep breath, looking right in my direction.

  Jake was sitting next to me in our chairs (the ones that were slightly fancier than everyone else's). He tugged on my arm, pulling me into his lap, and causing people to cheer for us. He squeezed me tightly and then leaned up and put a kiss on my cheek, smiling guiltily as if he just couldn't resist. This caused a new round of yells and whistles.

  "Several of you have heard that story," Kayla said, getting back to her story. "That's the part I tell everyone. That's the summary of what happened." She paused and looked at Jake and me. "No one knows the whole story, though. No one got to see the way y'all looked at each other." She looked at the crowd. "They were so in love that it oozed out of them. I just remember their faces. I could see with my own eyes that they weren't just a good couple, they weren't just a couple who would make it—one who would beat the odds. I could tell by the way they looked at each other that it was the real thing. I could almost see it in the air between them." She smiled at me, blinking back tears. "Anyway, I love you, baby sister. And I'm so happy you're happy."

  Everyone clapped, and Kayla used the opportunity to lean over and hug me.

  Jana stood up from a few seats away, making eye contact with Kayla. "May I add something to that?" she asked.

  "Please," Kayla said, motioning for Jana to take the floor.

  Jana cleared her throat. "I was going to stand up a little later, but I had to say this while I was thinking about it. Just like Kayla was saying she got to be there when Jacob proposed... how she got to see something special. Well, I got to see something special, too." She turned to me. "I still remember the conversation I had with Jake when he realized he loved you, Kristen." She shrugged and shook her head. "I didn't know what was going on at the time, I didn't see it, but once figured out that he had feelings for you, I thought back to what we had said that day, and I realized what had happened." She looked at the crowd. "I'm telling this story because I'm so proud of them both. I had something else prepared to say, but Kayla's speech reminded me of this, and I couldn’t help myself. I remember the moment when Jacob realized he was in love with Kristen. I remember that panicked look on his face." Everyone laughed. "It was really a beautiful moment," she continued, getting serious after sharing a laugh. "Jake didn’t realize he had feelings for Kristen on account of how talented, beautiful, or smart she is, although she's all of those things. He fell for Kristen because she wants to change the world. She loves God, and she has a heart for people. It was these qualities, the selfless, tender, caring things about Kristen that won Jake's heart. I have to say, I’m proud of my nephew for that. Also, I think he scored big with this one."

  "Hear, hear," someone said.

  A few others chimed in. A few cat-calls rang out in the air, causing people to laugh and murmur.

  She held her stemmed glass that was full of sweet tea high in the air. "To true love," she said.

  "To true love," everyone said, taking swigs of their beverages.

  Abigail stood up and said a few things, and so did my dad and a few of Jake's family and friends. The band began playing after that, and Jake and I went to the dancefloor for the first dance.

  They played a slow, jazzy version The Way You Look Tonight performed as a duet with female and male vocals.

  It was likely I wouldn't remember much of it. I was so overwhelmed with excitement and love that the song passed in what felt like a few seconds.

  I was in a vortex of pleasure and excitement as Jake held me securely and twirled me around the dance floor.

  People were standing in a circle around us.

  I could see enough of their bodies to comprehend that they were there, but I didn't look at any of them. I was lost in the moment. Totally focused on my new husband. I was along for the ride as Jake moved me fluidly this way and that.

  Before I knew what was happening, the dance was over. We bowed to one side of the crowd and then turned and did it to the other, and everyone clapped.

  "May I have dis dance, my lady?"

  The line was extremely rehearsed, which made it even more precious coming out of Reid's mouth.

  I glanced at Jake who smiled and gave my hand over to Reid. "Take care of her," Jake said.

  I picked up Reid, dancing to the slow but fun rhythm of You've Got a Friend in Me.

  Jake danced with my mom.

  We both entertained the company of other people for a few songs after that. I even did the father/daughter dance with my dad.

  It seemed like far too long before I was in Jake's arms again. It was like torture to see him from across the room but not be able to reach out and touch him. I had never seen him looking so sharp. He was wearing a blue suit that made his eyes look ridiculous. His dark hair and light eyes were simply devastating to behold. He was breathtakingly handsome—so amazing looking that I couldn't breathe properly when I glanced at him.

  I found myself going toward his arms again, and while it seemed to take an eternity to get there, it also seemed like no time had passed at all. I was standing in the middle of a crowd when Jake came up to me, taking me by the hand while wrapping his other hand gently around my waist.

  "Hello," I said, smiling at him with a sigh.

  "Hello," he returned, regarding me with a mischievous half-grin.

  Jake only had eyes for me. His smile had relief written all over it.

  "I love you," he said, ducking to kiss my cheek.

  I held him tightly, feeling shaken yet secure. "I love you too," I answered.

  "I was missing you," he said.

  I smiled. "I know. I could see you looking at me the whole time you were supposed to be dancing with other people."

  "Yes, I was," Jake said unapologetically. "I was staring right at you. I don't know why I have to dance with anybody but you today. Isn't that what the whole event's about? Me and you not wanting to dance with anybody else?" He whispered the last part into my ear, and I squeezed him, pinching his skin through the layers of fabric.

  "That made my stomach feel funny," I said, getting really close to his ear so no one could hear me or read my lips.

  "Does this make your stomach feel funny?"

  He spoke the words even more directly into my ear, which did make my stomach tighten. I nodded, causing him to let out a little laugh.

  "I didn't do it yet."

  "Well, whatever you did already worked," I said, "The whispering."

  I spoke softly and close to his ear so that he could feel what I was feeling. His grip tightened, and I smiled.

  "Just feeling breath on one's ear can make one's knees weak," I said.

  My tone was soft and vulnerable, and Jake's grip tightened yet again, causing me to laugh and hold him closer as well. He took the edge of my ear into his mouth, causing me to completely stiffen and let out an uncontrollable whimper.

  "Pe
ople can see us," I whispered. My protest was not convincing in the slightest. I was almost certain Jake hadn't even heard me. My head was tilted back and my knees felt like jelly when he took the edge of my ear into his mouth again. Jake was positioned in such a way where his movements were hidden and people would have probably just assumed that he was saying something into my ear. I held onto him for dear life.

  "People don't care what we're doing," Jake whispered. "They should expect this kind of behavior. They know what we're doing later."

  "What are we doing later?" I asked, nervously, expectantly.

  "What do you think?" he asked.

  "That thing we've been wanting to do?" I asked shyly.

  "Who's been wanting to do it?" Jake asked, wanting me to say I was the one.

  I nodded, and he tilted his head at me.

  "It wasn't a 'yes' or 'no' question," he said.

  "I know, but I thought nodding meant I was the one who wanted to do it." I gave him a confident grin and shrug. "It's me. I'm the one who wants to."

  "How long is this wedding supposed to last?" His question was completely serious, which made a wave of desire wash over me. He could not wait to get me alone, and I felt like I was on the edge of some precipice already. I couldn't imagine how it would feel to give over to my ache for him. After a few seconds of trying to stave my desire, I smiled at how very serious he was. It was an earnest question when he asked how long this wedding was supposed to last. He was now waiting for my answer.

  "I don't know how much longer," I said. "I'm with you about wanting to ditch it in a little bit, though. I want to both enjoy it and wish it away."

  He smiled at that and ducked to put his mouth gently on my cheek. I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmness of it.

  "Jakey-baby, I love you so," I said.

  Jake kissed me for real after that.

  Right there on the dance floor in front of the Lord, and a district judge, and Aunt Hilda, and about a hundred other people. He kissed me on the mouth. He kissed me in a way that communicated what he wanted to do with me a little later. It was a beautiful, warm, moment of happiness and carefully hidden yearning.

  I could have never imagined my life would turn out like this. I loved Jake, but I would have never been able to predict how much he would grow to love me.

  I was his treasure. His lady. I was in love and so was he, and I knew we would live happily ever after.

  We pulled back, breaking the kiss and smiling at each other. My face went to a more neutral expression when I remembered something I had learned on the dancefloor a song or two before.

  "Also, Abigail's pregnant," I said.

  Jake smiled and nodded like he already knew. "I danced with Abigail," he said.

  "I didn't know if she told you because you didn't mention it."

  He smiled. "I had more pressing matters to discuss with my wife."

  I returned his smile, kissing him on the mouth. "What matters?" I asked, kissing him again.

  He moaned. "Those matters. The ones you're doing right there."

  "Yeah, I guess we can talk about Abigail later."

  Jake gave me a little slow nod, his expression full of plans and anticipation. "Maybe tomorrow," he said.

  "Tomorrow we can talk about that and all kinds of other stuff," I said. "But we're busy tonight."

  He nodded. "Tonight, we're busy."

  The End

  Thank you for reading Miami Stories!

  I hope you've enjoyed the series.

  Other titles available from Brooke St. James:

  Another Shot (A Standalone)

  (A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story)

  When Lightning Strikes (A Standalone)

  Something of a Storm (All in Good Time #1)

  Someone Someday (All in Good Time #2)

  Finally My Forever (Meant for Me #1)

  Finally My Heart's Desire (Meant for Me #2)

  Finally My Happy Ending (Meant for Me #3)

  Shot by Cupid's Arrow (A Standalone)

  Dreams of Us (A Standalone)

  Meet Me in Myrtle Beach (Hunt Family #1)

  Kiss Me in Carolina (Hunt Family #2)

  California's Calling (Hunt Family #3)

  Back to the Beach (Hunt Family #4)

  It's About Time (Hunt Family #5)

  Loved Bayou (Martin Family #1)

  Dear California (Martin Family #2)

  My One Regret (Martin Family #3)

  Broken and Beautiful (Martin Family #4)

  Back to the Bayou (Martin Family #5)

  Almost Christmas (A Standalone)

  JFK to Dublin (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #1)

  Not Your Average Joe (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #2)

  So Much for Boundaries (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #3)

  Suddenly Starstruck (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #4)

  Love Stung (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #5)

  My American Angel (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #6)

  Summer of '65 (Bishop Family #1)

  Jesse's Girl (Bishop Family #2)

  Maybe Memphis (Bishop Family #3)

  So Happy Together (Bishop Family #4)

  My Little Gypsy (Bishop Family #5)

  Malibu by Moonlight (Bishop Family #6)

  The Harder They Fall (Bishop Family #7)

  Come Friday (Bishop Family #8)

  So This is Love (Miami Stories #1)

  All In (Miami Stories #2)

  Something Precious (Miami Stories #3)