I follow her gaze to the table beside the gazebo, where someone placed a photo of our fathers hugging in front of Lake Wisteria.
Since I don’t want to put my waterproof mascara to the test, I blink a few times before I turn toward Julian again.
The world stops around us as we stare into each other’s eyes. I barely pay attention to the speech Josefina recites, too caught up in our own moment to care about the traditional vows. Julian and I already shared our private promises hours ago after he made love to me following his proposal, so this display is more for our families than anything else.
I follow along and repeat after Josefina whenever Julian squeezes my hand.
She tucks her phone into the pocket of her dress and announces, “You may now kiss the bride.”
My heart threatens to burst from the rush of emotions overwhelming me, but I’m not given a moment’s reprieve before Julian loops his arm around me and claims his first kiss as my husband.
Best checkmate ever.