“Eddie, wait,” I call after him rush to his side, taking his offered arm. “Are we really doing this right now?”
“Looks like it, Muffin.” He winks and the wedding march begins to play.
My eyes land on Darin who is standing up at the altar just as Eddie said he was. He takes my breath away and when his eyes meet mine, I don’t how to explain it, but I feel it. His love for me. He wants to marry me today. I know it’s crazy. We’ve only shared one kiss, but it was enough to know that we’re meant to be.
I don’t pause to look at who is in the crowd I can’t tear my eyes away from Darin as he stares at me in awe. We make it to the end of the red carpet and Darin steps forward.
A preacher comes forward as well. “Who gives this woman’s hand in marriage?”
“I do,” Eddie says with a smile and kisses my forehead before handing me over to his best friend.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hey,” he whispers back.
“Errr..rufff.” I look down to see Beans. Sweet little Beans dressed in a doggy tux and I cry, unable to stop the tears. It’s so sweet. He has a satin pillow strapped to his back with rings on it.
The preacher clears his throat.
“Are we ready to begin?”
Darin looks to me and I ask, “Are we doing this?”
“Only if you want to.”
“You haven’t even asked me,” I tease him and he goes down on one knee.
“Faye Michaels, I have known you most of my life. You have seen me at my best and my worst. You know everything there is to know about me and I know you. Mind and soul and hopefully when we leave here…” his voice drops down low. “Your body. I love everything about you, especially your curves.” I blush. “I have one question. Will you marry me today?”
I bite my lips as he looks up at me expectantly.
“Just say yes, honey,” Linda calls out and I flash her a grin.
“Yes, Darin. Yes, I will marry you today.”
DARIN
We did it. We actually did it. I still can’t accept it is real. Once the preacher went through our vows with us, I didn’t want to go to the reception. I only wanted to get my bride alone and peel that dress from her body. However, Eddie went to a lot of trouble to pull this off and I am grateful. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. He’s always had my back.
Was today ideal or conventional? No, but not every relationship starts out perfect. I smile at my bride as she still appears to be letting today’s events sink in. There’s a bewildered expression on her face that I am afraid will be in every photograph of our wedding day.
Eddie wanted to hire Enzo just to be a dick, but I thought that would have been pushing it and not fair to Faye. Not to mention I want to punch his lights out for using Faye like he did. Sure, in the end he turned over the evidence that proved Claire was an evil snake, but that doesn’t make up for what he did to Faye. It doesn’t matter now though. Things are working out as they should.
I hug her to my side and kiss her cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Just a bit overwhelmed,” she tells me, honestly. Holding out her hand she admires her ring. “I can’t believe this is real, ya know? I’ve always imagined us together, seeing it as nothing more than a fantasy.”
“Faye, I told you I love you. I’ve loved you for years. We’re not skipping a few steps, we’re making up for lost time. This isn’t a dream, it’s real. The way I feel about you is very real.” Moving her hand under the table I show her how real.
“Darin,” she hisses. “What if someone sees?”
I smirk at her but then I feel Eddie’s hand clamp down on my shoulder. “Save it for the honeymoon.”
I shrug and start to get up. “I need a refill.”
“Not so fast. I need to talk to both of you. It’s important.”
“Sure, man. Whatever you want.”