The Loyal Groom (Groom 1)

Without thinking, I rush to her between the rows of seats and take her in my arms. I can’t let her walk down that aisle alone, and as her husband I’ll make sure she’ll never be alone again. So arm in arm we approach the judge, and he begins to read from the paper. After we both say I do and the judge asks for rings, I tell him to skip that part.

“Wait,” Allison says as she digs in her jeans and then pulls out a simple gold band. “We got these since you’re broke and all.”

“Thank you.” Rosy smiles as she takes it from her and then looks up at me. She looks like she’s going to cry, and I reach out to stroke my thumb over her cheeks. Not only do I vow to love her until the end of time, but I vow to give her all that her heart dreams for.

“Thanks,” I say to Allison as Rosy puts the ring on my finger.

“And one for you,” Lindsey says and then shrugs. “The best man literally has one job. Give her the ring.”

I know they’re trying to make light of the situation, but having them here, my makeshift family, to love us and support us means more than a chapel full of strangers.

As I repeat the words the judge says, I slide on the plain gold band that fits her perfectly. I look down at it, and although it’s small, it holds all the promises in my heart.

“You may now kiss your bride,” the judge declares, and my sisters begin to cheer.

I’m so full of love that I sweep Rosy up in my arms and spin us around in circles, kissing her with all the love I have. It’s a moment I’ll never regret and I’ll never forget. Especially because later that night, the twins drink too much champagne at our reception and make us do karaoke on the counter. Rosy and I sing along to “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease at the top of our lungs, and we’re happier than we’ve ever been.

I never thought we’d have a bad day between us, but we were young and maybe a little naïve to what lay ahead.

Chapter 7

Rosy

I check over the numbers one more time before I close out the accounting system and yawn. It’s time to get out of here and home to my husband. Every time I think of Darian as my husband I smile, loving that I get to call him that. Without thinking, I rub my finger along the gold band on my finger, a reminder of what matters.

Darian thinks I should have a giant rock to not only warn other men away, but because he thinks I deserve one. When he brings it up, I explain that his sisters being a part of it meant my ring was worth more than any diamond.

“Dr. Pepper with extra ice.” Lindsey sets the cup down on the desk next to me. “I tossed in a few cherries.”

“You’re a saint,” I manage to say around gulps as I enjoy the burn.

“You’re the saint. It takes me five times longer to do those numbers.” She rolls her eyes at herself.

“That’s why I do them for you. Gotta do something with that fancy college degree,” I tease even though this is accounting work. It’s not a far stretch from finance, and bookkeeping here is child's play.

I’m not sour about my degree even though finance wasn't a dream of mine. When I got to college, nothing grabbed me so I picked something sensible. The crazy part is that I make way more money serving tables than I do at any other job I’ve found. Well, the ones my father wasn't making sure I was strong-armed out of. For now, I’ll keep waiting tables and picking up small accounting jobs here and there.

“You have no idea how much this takes off my plate.”

“That makes it more than worth it.” Lindsey has always been there for Darian, and now she’s often there for me too. If there is anything I can do to make her life easier I’ll do it in a heartbeat. She’s only a handful of years older than me, but I often look to her as a mother figure for advice. We all do, really, because she’s an old soul that gives you the truth.

The other night waitress, Nikki, knocks on the door before she pops her head into the back office. “Rosy, there’s a man here to see you.”

“Is it a regular?” Lindsey asks as I stand, already knowing who it is.

“No, I’m meeting someone.” I glance over and see Lindsey lift an eyebrow.

“A man?”

“Yes, a man.” I shake my head, trying not to laugh. “I thought it was best to meet him here.”

My shift is over, but there’s no rush to get home. I live within walking distance, but Darian has a longer commute and won’t be home for another hour. It’s best that I do this and then tell Darian what I’ve done even though I already feel guilty.