I glance over my shoulder, seeing my mother and father in quiet conversation. Joey hears the request and immediately spins around and blocks my parents’ view of me. I turn the doorknob and pull, opening the door a few inches and peering around, making sure to keep my body completely hidden. His eyes meet mine, and I see the desperation in them.
I keep all focus on his face, not letting my eyes wander down his body. I want to save that for the ceremony. I smile behind the door. “You okay now?” I whisper, not wanting to alert my mother.
He leans his head against the doorframe, blinking heavily. “I’m not spending another night away from you. I barely got any sleep last night.”
“What, is Ian not a good snuggle buddy? I’ve heard otherwise.”
He smirks. “You’re hilarious. Give me a kiss.”
“No way.”
“Why?”
“Because the next time I kiss you will be when you’re officially my husband.”
I hear the clicking sound of heels as Reese argues my reasoning with a scowl. Juls grabs his shoulder. “Get the hell out of here! Are you insane?”
“You’re the one who’s making us wait. She’s ready. I’m ready. Let’s fucking go.”
Juls shoves him in the direction of The Great Hall. “Go. We’ll be there in a minute.”
He looks past her, connecting with me. “If you make me wait, I’ll be hauling you down that aisle over my shoulder.”
“I’m right behind you,” I reply as Juls pushes her way into the room.
My mother walks over to us, disapproval stamped on her features. “I’m not saying a word.”
I shrug before turning to Juls. “Can I please get married now?”
Juls waves my dad over who has remained in his chair. “Are you ready to give your daughter away, Mr. Sparks?”
He looks at her then at me before standing and tugging at his suit jacket. Reserved and poised, he walks over and takes my hand, looping it through his arm. He tilts his head down, giving me an endearing look. “I will never be ready to give my daughter away. But if I had to pick one man to take care of her in my place, it would be Reese.”
I blink rapidly, trying to stop the tears from forming. Juls sniffs and wipes underneath my eyes, keeping my makeup intact while Joey fans his face and my mom pulls out a handkerchief, blowing her nose into it.
My dad leads me toward the door. “Come on. You heard the man. He isn’t going to wait much longer for you.”
We walk down the side hallway which dumps into the main room of the Whitmore. It’s empty, all the guests already inside The Great Hall. I hear the soft music playing behind the closed giant double doors. My mother comes up to me and kisses my cheek before doing the same to my father. Joey moves me to the side, shielding me while Juls opens the door and allows my mother to enter the room and take her seat.
“Okay,” Juls says in a soft voice. “Let’s line up.” She walks over to the side table and grabs my bouquet, handing it to me and taking hers. Joey stands at the front of the line, Juls right behind him. He grabs the door handles, glancing back over his shoulder.
“Ready, cupcake?”
Juls gives me a quick wink and I nod, shifting my weight on my feet.
God, yes. Come on already.
The doors open and the music becomes noticeably louder. I move forward once Joey begins his walk, gripping my bouquet tightly. As Juls makes her way between the rows of chairs, my father takes a few more steps with me. I look around the room, smiling at the familiar faces of family and friends who have joined us today. And then I can’t stand it any longer. I give into the biggest temptation of my life and let my eyes find Reese.
I see his reaction to me immediately. And even though I know this ceremony is being videoed, I won’t need any help remembering the look on his face right now. I know without a doubt I will never forget this moment and the mix of emotion in his eyes.
My dad turns me toward him. “Are you sure I can’t walk you down the aisle, sweetheart? It’s my only job today.”
I smile and look back up at Reese, because it physically pains me to not look at him at this point. “No,” I reply, letting go of his arm. “He’ll come get me.”
My father makes his way down the aisle alone, gaining muffled reactions from the guests. No one knows why I’m standing back here by myself. No one but Reese. And as my father takes his seat next to my mom, Reese begins his walk toward me.
Actually, it’s more like a sprint.
I hear the familiar laughs of our friends from the front of the room as Reese gets to me in record timing. He cradles my face in his hands and drops his forehead to touch mine.
“Thanks for coming to get me,” I whisper for his ears only.