“When’s the last time you were on a date?” Hailey asked.
Lori sighed. “Years. Years! But don’t tell Landon that. I might have misled him to think otherwise because he was nagging.”
I caught Lori looking at my engagement ring longingly. Mental note: What Lori says is not what Lori wants.
“Are the other brothers as handsome as the groom?” Sheila asked while reapplying my mascara.
“Oh, they are,” Hailey said. “We might be biased, but....”
Grace looked up from her phone, where I bet she was checking the schedule. “I’m not biased. And I can vouch for that. This family has great genes.”
Sheila smiled, finally releasing me. “Well, my job’s done here. But I bet I’ll be back for a new wedding in no time at all. I’ve seen that happen so many times. First one in a group gets married, then the rest fall like dominoes.”
“Okay, time to dress the bride,” Grace announced.
I smiled the entire time the girls helped me in my dress. I couldn’t stop touching it. It was so pretty, a trumpet silhouette with a sweetheart neckline covered in Chantilly lace. It was fitted around my body and flared out midthigh.
My nerves kicked in when I stepped out on the terrace where the ceremony was taking place. It was a perfect day. Sunny, warm, with a gentle breeze coming in from the ocean cooling my skin.
Our guests were already sitting on the white chairs arranged in straight rows. The sheer number of guests was huge, given how many cousins the Connors had. The entire Bennett clan had flown in from San Francisco.
I swept my gaze over to the wedding arch adorned with flowers and a white veil, and the man waiting beneath it. The anxiety melted away. When we made eye contact, he was all I saw.
My parents had flown in for the occasion, and Dad gave me to Landon, who kissed my hand, murmuring, “I love you, beautiful.”
The pastor welcomed everyone, starting the ceremony. Landon held my gaze the entire time. My heart was bursting with love for this handsome man standing before me, ready to tie his life to mine. The wind had ruffled Landon’s black hair, and I pushed two strands away from his forehead before we exchanged rings.
“And now the vows,” the pastor announced.
Landon held my hands firmly in his, joy dancing in his green eyes.
“Maddie, my vows to you are not just a promise, but a privilege. I vow to love and respect you my entire life.”
“I vow to be worthy of your love,” I replied.
“I promise to care for you and spoil you every day.” He kissed my hands, and emotion rose in my throat.
“Landon, I promise to be your best friend, your partner, your ally, your lover.”
“I promise to be right next to you when you chase your dreams.”
“I promise to be your biggest supporter.”
“I promise to out-stubborn you even when you give me your best.”
I grinned. “I promise to let you think you won an argument once in a while.”
The guests laughed, and even the pastor chuckled. We were both misty-eyed as he declared us husband and wife, and then Landon kissed me softly.
“I can’t wait to make you happy for the rest of our lives, lovely wife,” he whispered.
“I can’t wait to return the favor, husband of mine.”
We turned to face our guests, and I caught a glimpse of Lori watching us with tears in her eyes. She dabbed at the corners, smiling and whispering, “I love weddings.”
I smiled back, making a mental note to be sneaky when the time came to gather all the single ladies and throw my bouquet. I planned to throw it in Lori’s direction.
*** THE END ***