When We Touch

Ember is glowing. She’s always beautiful, but tonight she’s wearing a long flower-print dress with a deep V-neck and a high slit up the side. Her hair ripples around her shoulders in the breeze, and when her skirt flutters open, I get a glimpse of her sexy brown legs.

I have to adjust myself.

Since that afternoon in the ocean when I told her the memories she’d forgotten, it’s like we already made the most important vow of our lives.

“I hope she likes the cake,” Ember whispers without looking up.

Her worry pulls me to the present, and I slide my palm up and down her back. “It’s a masterpiece. She’ll love it.”

I lean down to kiss her ear, and her shoulder rises. She reaches up to scratch her fingers along my cheek.

Coco is in the wedding party, and she takes her role as flower girl very seriously. She has another job she’s doing for me that she’s very serious about as well…

The ceremony ends, Pastor Green announces them husband and wife, and we’re all making our way to the canopies where the reception tables are set up. The cake is a gorgeous centerpiece, and Donna searches the crowd for Ember, hugging her close and whispering something in her ear. They both laugh, and Ember covers her mouth, cheeks pink.

It’s some secret, and it’s sweet and cute… and I’m ready to get on with the show.

The music starts and we all dance. Donna and Liam dance. Donna dances with her father…

Finally we’re cutting the cake. It’s delicious. Ember feeds a piece to me, but I’m almost too anxious to swallow.

Finally, the DJ announces it’s time to throw the bouquet.

Coco runs up and grabs my hand. “Now?” Her brown eyes are round with excitement.

I drop to one knee and place my hand on her small waist. “Now.”

She squeals and claps, and I smile.

“Oh!” Running away to where she left her flower-petal basket, she pulls out a small black box and brings it to me.

“Thanks,” I whisper, giving her a wink.

When I look up, I see Ember watching us, a little smile-frown on her face.

Donna waves to the crowd. “Before we toss the bouquet, we have one very special announcement.” She starts to giggle. “I’m so excited because I consider this person one of my closest friends… And we wanted to do this first because we don’t want to jinx it!”

“Come on, Jackson,” Donna says through her smile, slanting her eyes at me.

She holds out her hand, and I go to where she’s standing.

My throat is tight, and my hands are clammy. It’s ridiculous. I’m a fucking lawyer. I’ve tried cases in front of grumpy judges, hostile witnesses, and impatient juries all the time. This is a room full of (mostly) friends. My eyes choose that moment to land on Marjorie Warren, scowling as usual.

All of this is simply a formality…

“Emberly Rose Warren,” I say, clearing my throat and holding out my hand.

Her lips press together, and she’s blinking fast. Still, she crosses the room to where I’m standing. I take both her hands in mine.

“Our paths crossed twenty years ago on a night that changed both our lives. Then ten years later, we met and you told me to kiss you.”

The crowd titters, and Ember’s eyes fill with tears.

I keep going. “It was the best kiss of my life. It changed my life.”

Someone in the back hoots loudly, and she covers her watery smile.

“You’ve owned my heart since that very first night. I hope you’ll share your life with me officially.”