“Reese!”
My heart flutters at the sound of his name. I move closer to the door just as the knob begins to rattle.
“Dylan?”
Joey spins around and presses his mouth to the door. “You are out of your mind if you think I’m letting you in here.”
“Joey, it’s okay.”
“It most certainly is not,” my mother adds. “Dylan, you can’t see each other before the ceremony. This isn’t like not having a rehearsal dinner.” She moves between me and the door, pulling Joey off it. “Reese Carroll. You are not allowed in here.”
“I don’t need to come in. I just want to hear her.”
Joey looks back at me and then his eyes lose focus. “Goddamn it, Billy.”
I chuckle, stepping up next to my mom. She looks over at me and sighs before waving her hand and giving me the go-ahead. I move up to the door and flatten my hand against it.
“Reese?”
A soft thump knocks against my hand. “Please, tell me you’re almost ready. I’m fucking dying.”
I giggle. “I’m ready. I’ve been ready. I’m just waiting for Juls.”
I hear a faint growl. “Go get your wife and tell her we’re starting. Now.” The sound of footsteps leading away from the door makes me smile as I picture Ian as a man on a mission. “Love, can I… I don’t know, can you just give me something? Crack the door open a little?”
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.