31. Ford
31
Ford
I ’d meant every word of it when I’d told Blair how proud of her I was for how she’d taken control and ultimately saved the wedding rehearsal. However, my pride swelled even more as I listened to her heartfelt maid of honor speech.
I’m not sure how I got so lucky and convinced her to give in to what we’ve been fighting since we were kids, but I’m reveling in it. Even more, I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. She’s undeniably one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever laid eyes on, but there’s an indescribable depth to her that sets her apart from anyone I’ve ever met. It’s always been more than just her looks for me; she’s kind, she’s brave, and most of all, she’s someone who will have your back no matter what.
I know it wasn’t easy for her to dedicate some of her speech to Pete, but clearly she put her own emotions and feelings aside, prioritizing Ronnie’s happiness above all else—something I’ve come to realize she does a little more often than she should.
My eyes remain fixed on the heartwarming scene unfolding in front of everyone as the two girls share an emotional embrace. Standing up, I prepare to welcome Blair back at our seats, but my gaze is immediately drawn to their shocked expressions as they both turn their heads toward the entrance of the banquet hall. I follow their stares until my eyes land on the cocky ass embodiment of Max Storm in the flesh.
I’d obviously met him just over ten years ago when he and Blair met at the small music festival during our summer graduation trip, and while I hated him then, I especially hate him now.
I can’t stand how effortlessly cool he looks. Even when I make an effort to look nice, I’m pretty sure I’ll never look like anything more than the tall, lanky nerd that I am. He, on the other hand, effortlessly exudes a casual swagger and charm with his long, brown, and untamed hair. Even though only a few tattoos are visible, you can sense that his entire body is a canvas of intricate designs. Despite his rumpled attire, he carries himself with such confidence that his chill vibes remain unaffected. While I’d be embarrassed to show up to an event looking like that, he looks completely unbothered.
It felt impossible to compete with him then, and I’m not sure how I can even begin to compare to him now. The guy is a musical genius, with women constantly throwing themselves at him. He’s already shown that he can give Blair the world as he’s taken her on incredible trips and introduced her to new cultures and people.
What do I have that I could possibly offer her in return? I’m a high school science teacher who lives in a cramped studio apartment above a pizza place in a town that Blair absolutely despises. There’s no comparison. Hell, I’d choose Max over me too.
What the fuck am I supposed to do? Do I go over there and assert my place in her life, reminding her that I exist, or is that too pathetic and needy? I probably should give her some space, or at least a moment to think. However, before I can decide, she swiftly crosses the room, taking Max along with her as they exit the building.
The show seems to go on, as the next person stands to give a speech to the “happy” couple. As Ronnie’s friend, I know it’s my responsibility to stay present and attentive to all of the festivities going on at tonight’s event, but my thoughts inevitably wander.
The woman I’m in love with is outside chatting with the guy who took her away once, and what if history decides to repeat itself all over again? It’s not like I could blame her. In the past, I had my fair share of chances to go after her, but I let every single one of them slip away—or rather, I let her slip away.
There’d been countless instances in high school where I could’ve and should’ve been brave enough to end things with Jenny, but I hadn’t. Not to mention the many years after high school where Jenny and I had once again been off-and-on through our college and adult years, but it felt much safer to stay in the bubble where I knew that person wanted me instead of trying to chase after someone who I wasn’t so sure wanted to be caught.
Once I finally had confirmation that the feelings were mutual, I could’ve been smart and brave enough to cancel my wedding when Blair confessed her true feelings, but I hadn’t then, either. If I lose her now, then it’s once again all on me—I’m the one truly at fault for all of this.
Time seems to slip away as I sit, consumed by worry, completely oblivious to the speeches being given. In fact, the last person I remember talking is now sitting with someone else now standing in their place.
The faint sound of heels lightly clicking on the hardwood floor has me glancing over my shoulder. Relief washes over me as I spot Blair walking back in alone—Max nowhere in sight. As happy as I want to be, a small voice inside warns that this might not mean what I think it does. It’s not like there are any open seats for him, and perhaps she just told him to wait a few hours and ultimately plans to bring him as her date to the wedding tomorrow, as originally planned.
Against my better judgment, I stand as quietly as possible, and instead of letting her walk back to her seat, I grab her hand and lead her right back out.
“Ford, what are you doing?” she asks once I’ve quietly let the door shut behind us, doing my best to not totally disrupt Ronnie’s special night.
“You can’t choose him. You can’t be with him, Blair. I know I’ve given you so many reasons not to trust me or to think that I’m not serious about us, but I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. I love you, Blair. In fact, I’ve always been in love with you,” I ramble, but I can’t stop, nor do I plan to until she fully hears me out. “Maybe it was a platonic kind of love when we were just children, and part of me isn’t even sure when it turned into something deeper, but it has. I’m so in love with you and I don’t want to live a life without you. I refuse to keep going on like this when I’ve always known it was supposed to be you. We’re supposed to be together. I know it.”
She lightly bites down on her lip, despite her growing smile. “Ford,” she starts, a short, soft and melodic giggle leaving her lips. “I choose you.”
“Really?” I eagerly ask, a huge smile of my own breaking through.
“Of course I do. It was never Max. He was only ever a placeholder. If anything, I think the reason I chose him for so long and kept going back to him was because I knew it could never last or go anywhere, and that it could never work with anyone else, either. It’s always been you or nobody. There’s never been any other choice for me.”
Closing the distance between us, I pull her closer, my hand finding its place at the back of her neck, my thumb lightly rubbing her jaw as our lips collide in a passionate yet tender kiss.
Her lips move in sync with mine as her hands land on my chest. The kiss lasts nowhere near as long as I’d like as she pulls back to look at me, her gorgeous blue eyes staring into mine. “Oh, and I love you, too.”
“Really?” I ask, a boyish grin creeping onto my face as she nods.
“So, so much,” she assures me before pressing her lips into mine once more. I want to get lost in the kiss, and as she deepens it, I do, but luckily I manage to pull away first this time, even if I do sneak in one more quick peck in the process.
“We should probably head back in there, huh?” I ask, my hand instinctively reaching up to fix my slightly askew glasses after our heated kiss.
She lets out a sigh. “Do we have to?” she whines.
“Well, we don’t, but we probably should.”
“I think you’re right,” she agrees, letting out a breath as she wrinkles her nose.
“But don’t worry,” I assure her, slinking my arm around her waist as I slowly guide us back in the direction of the banquet hall. “It’s almost over, and afterward we can go back to my place where I can show you just how much I really do love you.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I’m supposed to be sleeping over at Ronnie’s tonight. Our last sleepover as single ladies.”
I place a hand over my heart as if offended. “And you didn’t invite me? That’s messed up.”
“Last I checked, you aren’t a lady, and honestly, I’m grateful for that, because tomorrow after the wedding, I’m all yours. I promise.”
“Well, as long as you promise,” I smirk, leaning in to kiss her one last time before heading back inside. While tonight might not be ending completely how I’d hoped, knowing that Blair loves me just as much as I love her is more than enough to get me through until tomorrow.