The thought makes me smile, drawing a sour look from the padre as the organ starts up, signaling the blushing bride’s arrival.
And the bridesmaid.
Mine.
Protocol means I can’t turn to watch her as she walks down the aisle, but I can feel her.
I can sense Piper long before she’s even entered the church.
And I’ll be doing a helluva lot more than just feel her once we’re alone again.
Despite all the rehearsals, we all know it’s not gonna be a lengthy service.
And by the time Piper and her mom join us at the altar, I can already feel my pants tighten as I think about her, timing the seconds where I can steal a look.
Glad when our eyes lock and she smiles, flushing hard as I transmit exactly what she has coming to her once we’re through here.
Rhys looks smitten, and for once I can safely say that even Clara looks calm too.
There’s me, Rhys, then Clara, Piper, and Denise.
All lined up in a row, making it hard for me to edge my way forward enough to get a proper view of Piper.
Although, her chest is easy for me to spot, even sidelong.
Rhys notices me moving and gives me a firm look.
He seems to have recovered from the worst signs of his illness, but I know he can hold a face like that for a few hours before he gives way to whatever really has a hold of him.
Maybe he really is just facing his future as a married man…
There’s a long-winded introduction from the priest and an even longer speech from Denise that nobody seems to know about except her and the priest.
Finally, it’s down to the moment we all came for.
Well, all these good people and Rhys with his bride-to-be.
Piper and me? We’re really just watching the clock, well I can’t speak for her but I am hundred percent.
I sense Rhys shifting with the nearest thing to nerves I’ve seen him show once it’s time to get to the I do’s, but it could be his slight fever too.
I’ve noticed him mopping his brow covertly every now and then.
They face one another, and we all shift our positions slightly so everyone can see.
This gives me a perfect view of Piper opposite me, and we both feel the thrill of the moment.
Our eyes lock.
Almost as if it’s us getting married.
Clara goes first, her eyes soft as she gives her “I do.”
Rhys is a little more intense with his “I do,” but there is no hesitation on his part. It’s a huge moment in his life, for both of them.
And just like his pledge to be the best Marine and soldier he takes this pledge to heart.
There’s a silence that takes me a moment to register.
The priest quietly clears his throat, giving me a look.
My cue to produce the rings.
Realizing my attention has been on Piper the whole time, I fidget for a moment before getting the rings from my waistcoat pocket.
On each side.
Clara’s is on the left and Rhys on right.
As I pass Clara’s ring to Rhys, I realized I goofed. I was supposed to have given Clara Rhys’s ring, but the priest steps in, calm as ever that no one even really notices, except Clara.
The priest asks Rhys to recite his vows.
Rhys slips the ring on Clara’s finger as he promises to honor, protect, cherish and love his new wife for all the days of his life.
My eyes shift back to Piper, whose face is set on mine, her chest heaving slightly as she gnaws at her lip, clutching the flowers in her hands like I want her to hold my dick right now.
When it’s Clara’s turn the priest asks her in his deep, soothing tone to recite her vows.
“I Clara Mills, with this ring, take you Rhys Connor to be my lawful wedded husband, to honor, love, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”
“I do,” A voice rings out, but it’s not Clara’s.
There’s a split second of deadly silence, and my jaw drops open when I realize the words came from Piper.
There’s a slight murmur of laughter from the guests, and even the priest smiles before Clara’s quick to assert who’s actually getting married here.
“I take you, Rhys Connor,” Clara says loudly, chuckling a little and giving Piper a comical look for the benefit of the guests before the priest unites them and they kiss.
Husband and wife.
There’s an eruption of applause as Rhys and Clara kiss, sealing their bond forever.
But my eyes are glued to Piper. The words she’s spoken are still all I can hear ringing in my ear, as I realize I haven’t been moving too fast at all.
Things are going exactly to plan between Piper and me.
Just. Perfect.
Chapter Twenty
Piper
I should be withering from embarrassment.