Alice smiles at me from her seat and I try to smile back, but I think it’s more of a grimace. My lungs feel like they’re struggling for air and my legs want to move. This whole thing is nerve-wracking enough by itself, but I have all these people staring at me.
Besides Alice and Heather, who’s not technically watching me, Jada’s friend Lara from Phoenix is here. So is her friend Mandi and her husband Mason from Boston. Kari got a hold of them and they were happy to come. I met them a little earlier and they’re cool as hell. Mason told me how he handled Decker for Jada when she left him, so I have mad love for that guy. To show my gratification, I bought them tickets to watch Jeremy Tide and Hunter Davidson fight tomorrow night. It cost me a fucking fortune, but it’s the least I can do.
The officiate walks in from a side door I didn’t notice and stands beside me. He’s tall, balding, and has a white robe draped over him. I give him a nod and he smiles.
“Are you ready to be married, Mr. Alexander?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. We’re ready to begin. You just look a little pale. Are you sure you don’t need a drink of water?”
“Start.”
He laughs and motions to Brian. He looks at me and starts playing the song we picked out.
JADA
I’m getting antsy. The day flew by but it feels like I’ve been standing outside these doors for a lifetime. I just want to get inside and get married.
“Can we start now?” I ask, adjusting my arm through the crook of my father’s. I look at Kari and Max, standing in front of the double doors that lead into the room.
“In a second,” Kari says. “Be patient.”
“I’m two seconds from busting the door open and just going in there.”
Max chuckles. “You’re about as bad as him.”
“I love ya, Max, but I’m not really in the mood to be teased right now.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” He fights to stop from grinning, but fails.
I grin back. “How do we know when it’s time?”
“When I tell ya it is.”
He looks incredibly handsome in his suit and tie with his hair spiked up in the front. Standing next to Kari, they look picture-perfect. I love them together. They love them together.
I hope we are standing outside their wedding next.
Max flashes me his trademarked smile, the one with his dimple popping in his cheek. “You ready, Jada?”
“Obviously.”
He nods. “Let’s do this. Mr. Stanley, you know when to go, right?”
Dad nods. Kari wraps her arm through Max’s and he kisses her forehead. Music floats through the door a little louder than I’ve been able to hear, and the doors swing open. Max and Kari disappear into the room I can’t yet see into and my father turns to me.
“Ready, sweetheart?”
“I am, Daddy.”
He pauses a few seconds and then leads me to the doorway.
My face nearly splits in two at the sight before me. All of my close friends are standing, their eyes on me. Max and Kari flank the end of the aisle. Once my eyes land on Cane, I can’t pull them away.
He’s wearing a black suit and a gold tie and his hair has been cut short since I saw him this morning. He’s clasping his hands in front of him, a smirk on his face. I know he’s trying to play it cool, but I also know him better than that. He’s rocking slightly back and forth, his eyes have a little wild look about them. I know he’s trying to talk himself out of barreling down the aisle to me. The thought makes my smile grow even wider.
Brian begins to play “The Book of Love” by Peter Gabriel and my father begins to move. We walk slowly down a golden strip of carpeting leading to my world. With each step, Cane’s smirk lessens and a grin takes its place. His eyes widen and the blues swirl and I have to choke back the mass of emotions stirring inside me.
It’s really happening.
This man is so much more than I’ve ever even wanted. Just looking at him, standing as patiently as Cane Alexander can, waiting to marry me, is more than I’ve ever dreamed.
CANE
I can’t breathe.
I’m holding my breath and I know it, but I can’t force my lungs to work. The sight of Jada walking down the aisle to give herself to me forever knocks the air out of me.
She’s so fucking beautiful. Just as beautiful on the outside as I know her to be on the inside. She’s the best person I’ve ever known. It amazes me that something so perfect would willingly want to be with me.
Jada came into my life and turned it on its head. She gave me a reason to do better, be better. She made me want to do those things. She made me want to be a better man, to make her proud of me.
I know there’s a room full of people, but all I see is her.
Why is she walking so damn slow?
My fingers itch to grab her and kiss her, to say ‘I do’ and have her say the same. It’s not that I don’t want to enjoy this, I just want it done. Signed, sealed, and delivered with an “Alexander” at the end.
Hurry the hell up, Jada . . .
JADA
I want to race down the aisle and into his arms.