Page 254 of Face Off

“You improved the branding but Bliss, you’ve gotta stop corrupting words.”

Laughter breaks through the crying.

Ryan looks at Cade. “And you loved her loudly enough to make twenty thousand people witnesses.”

Cade rests one hand against the back of Bliss’s neck.

“Then you killed the man who kept stealing her joy.”

The laugh that moves through the pavilion is shocked, wet, and helpless. Cade bows his head while Bliss presses her face against his chest, laughing through the sob caught inside her.

Ryan lifts his champagne.

“Some people leave us with a lifetime of Nevers,” he says. “The people who love us can’t erase them, and they shouldn’t insult the loss by pretending they can. They remember who is missing. They stand beside us inside the ache, and they make damn sure grief doesn’t get the last fucking word.”

The garden lights blur through my tears.

“Cindy isn’t here to watch her daughter marry the man who kissed her through glass and fought like hell to survive long enough to do it for real. But she left love, powerful enough to reach this room without her.”

Daniel breaks completely. Knox closes both arms around his father while the rest of the Bennett brothers move closer, surrounding him without hiding their own tears.

Ryan looks at Bliss.

“So tomorrow, when every Never hurts, hold on to what came after. You broke free from an unimaginable terror. Cade survived an attack that shocked medical staff. And the love between you brought every person in this garden here to witness what hate failed to take.”

He raises his glass higher.

“To the Nevers—and every beautiful fucking thing they represent.”

Every person in the pavilion stands.

Glasses lift while applause erupts beneath the trees. People cheer, cry, whistle, and shout Cade and Bliss’s names. The sound rolls through the garden while they remain wrapped around each other with the glass-kiss marble held safely between them.

Ryan lowers the microphone and the second Bliss sees him attempting to retreat toward the bar, she shoves the boxes into Cade’s hands, gathers the skirt of her dress, and charges.

Ryan barely has time to place his glass on the table before Bliss collides with him. Her arms lock around his neck with enough force to rock him backward.

He doesn’t make a joke.

He doesn’t complain that she is wrinkling his suit or tell her to stop crying on him. Ryan bends around her, closes both arms across her back, and holds Bliss just as tightly.

“I miss her,” Bliss sobs.

“I know,” he says against her hair. “You’re allowed to.”

“Thank you,” she sobs against his shoulder.

Ryan presses his cheek against her hair. His eyes close while one hand moves slowly over her back.

“You’re welcome, B.”

Cade stands several feet away holding the boxes against his chest. Tears cover his face without embarrassment. He looks at Ryan over Bliss’s shoulder and gives him one small nod.

Ryan returns it.

No words pass between them because none are necessary.

Actions mean everything.