“I have to go. I’ll be home soon,” I say and end the call. I’m not even sure if he said goodbye.
I’m standing here in my wedding dress.
This is really happening.
When I open the door, Jamie gasps. “That’s it,” she says. “How is it possible that we both chose the first dress we tried on?”
“How do you know I’m going to get it?”
“You called him.” She points to my phone that’s still clutched in my hand. “I called Mike too.” She smiles. “You’re getting it. It’s perfect. Exactly as you described, simple and elegant.”
“Very beautiful,” Hazel agrees. “Most go back to the first dress they try on, not trusting their gut with just trying one. You two know what you want. That’s a good thing.” She walks around me. “Looks like no alterations are needed here either.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Veil? she asks.
I nod. She leads me to the veils, and with Jamie’s help, we find one that falls to my waist with the same lace design as the dress. We pay for our dresses, putting dents in our credit cards, and carry them out to my car.
“How about you take mine, and I’ll take yours?” Jamie suggests. “Can you bring mine with you to the Keys?”
“Yes.” And just like that, we have wedding dresses and a plan to hide them from our fiancés… well, hers and my future.
I still feel weird, but it’s happening for us. I just need to be patient.
Sitting on the beach and watching Mike and Jamie say their vows sends excitement coursing through me. I’m getting married to the beautiful girl who’s sitting next to me, her head resting on my shoulder as she watches her big brother and one of her closest friends pledge their life together. The urge is strong to ask her if she wants to do it while we’re here. I can call my parents and get them on the next flight out, but I don’t. I know it’s not what she really wants, and I want to make it the day she’s always dreamed of.
I finally know how I’m going to ask her. It’s risky as hell, but if I know Olivia, she’ll appreciate it. At least I hope she will. I’m working on finalizing my plans. It’s so damn hard not to just go ahead and ask her, but it’s going to be worth the wait. I know she’s getting worried, but I’ve tried to assure her as much as I can that we are getting married; she’s my forever.
“I can’t wait for this day to be ours,” she says, snuggling against my chest.
I place my arm around her and kiss the top of her head. Mike and Jamie kiss just as I whisper, “You’re going to be a beautiful bride.” Green eyes full of love stare up at me.
“Now we toast,” Mike announces.
The guest list is simple, just me and Olivia, their parents, and Jamie’s parents. That’s it. Short, sweet, and simple, and I’ve never seen two people happier—well, unless you count Olivia and me. I can only hope her smile is as blinding on our wedding day.
Standing, we follow the happy couple and their parents into the private dining room they reserved at the hotel for their mini-reception. I thought they would have another when we get home since everyone couldn’t make the trip, but they’re not. They just want to be married and start the rest of their lives together; that’s what Mike told me just before the ceremony. Not that I can blame him. It’s what I want too. I just want her to be my wife. The rest is fluff, details, and none of it holds a candle to my devotion to her.
Dinner is served, and it’s just like any other day, two families blended together, now for life. I know better though. I see the glint in my friend’s eyes when he looks at his wife. Not to mention he’s referred to her as his wife at least fifteen times in the last hour. The road they took to get here was winding, but they conquered it. I’m happy for both of them.
“I’m stuffed,” Liv says, pushing her plate away from her.
Her plate is half-empty while mine is empty. “Me too,” I agree.
“Time for the first dance.” Jamie’s mom smiles at her daughter and new son-in-law.
Olivia leans into me, once again resting her head on my shoulder as we watch the happy couple spin around the room, kissing and smiling at one another. I hear a sniff and look down to see her wiping her eyes.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” she says with a chuckle. “I’m just so happy for them. Weddings make me cry anyway, but this is my big brother, and Jamie is one of my closest friends. My heart is just full for them.”
“Dance with me,” I ask as the song changes.
“There’s not really a dance floor,” she reminds me, scanning the room.
“Don’t care.” I stand and offer her my hand, and she takes it. I guide her over to the side of the room where Mike and Jamie are still wrapped in each other’s arms as if the change in song didn’t even register to them.