20. Lucia
twenty
Lucia
Ari Morgan has no business looking that goddamn good in a suit.
But fuck, he looks good right now.
He’s in a navy blue three-piece suit with a gray tie, matching Cole, Lane, and Josh. Knox stands beside them in a dark gray suit with a navy blue tie.
The navy ties into our bridesmaid dresses as well.
Rory, Ella, Olive, and I are all wearing navy blue satin gowns with a slit just above the knee, a bodice with boning to fit tight against our chests, and flowy off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Blue isn’t really my color, but I do love this dress.
And the other girls look fucking flawless in it.
When the ceremony begins, the guys all make their way to the altar while we wait for our cues.
We go through the normal processional—the moms are escorted down, and Sage drops little leaves instead of flowers.
Harlow is the only person I know who hates flowers.
There’s plenty of greenery decorating this space, but not a single flower in sight.
Even the bouquets and boutonnieres are made of ferns and other greenery.
The wedding coordinator now tells us that it’s time for us to start, so I ready myself and step into the aisle since I’m leading us off. I keep my eyes trained ahead with a smile plastered on my face before taking my spot opposite the men. Olive, Ella, and Rory follow after me, in that order.
Once we’re all at the front, the music changes to an instrumental version of Lover by Taylor Swift. Lo is the biggest Swiftie I know. Lane’s up there, too, though.
After a few moments, she appears with her dad, and joy is just radiating from her.
Her gown is simple—smooth satin fitted to her body with a fit-and-flare silhouette.
It has a boat neck with long sleeves. She doesn’t decorate it with any embellishments, letting the gown stand on its own.
The only additions she has are the chapel-length veil atop her head and the pearl earrings in her ears.
The look is elegant and beautiful, and Harlow is positively stunning.
Knox must agree because the man I’ve never known to show much emotion has glassy eyes as he watches the love of his life make her way down the aisle to him.
This time, I don’t feel any jealousy because I’m just so damn happy for my friends.
I scan the crowd as Harlow nears the front of the aisle, and I feel my stomach drop.
I right myself to not let it show, but I can’t stop glancing over at a certain couple in the crowd.
The couple made up of my ex-boyfriend and his mistress.
What the hell are they doing at Lo’s wedding?
There’s no way she knew about this because I know she would’ve told me.
So, how did they end up here without Harlow and Knox realizing who they were?
I have so many questions, but I’ll just have to have them answered later.
I choose to focus on my friends instead, listening to them exchange heartfelt vows.
“Harlow,” Knox smiles, holding her hands in his.
“Before you, I was content to live my life alone, telling myself I shouldn’t get close to anybody.
That people are hard to trust. But then you showed up and knocked me right on my ass.
” Light laughter fills the room because, of course , Knox is swearing in his vows.
“I never doubted my trust in you because you’re unlike anyone I’ve ever known.
Your presence is warm and inviting, and I quickly found myself wrapped up in you.
You’ve shown me what I’d been missing and given me that connection I didn’t know I’d been craving.
You’re bright and happy, so sunshiney that even a stoic man like me can’t help but smile.
You’re my literal dream come true, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving you. ”
Harlow has to dab tears from her eyes before she recites her own vows.
“Knox, when I met you, never did I dream we’d end up here.
You were my brother’s best friend, and you kept to yourself.
Then you let those walls come down, and I got to know the person you truly are.
You’re kind and compassionate, patient and understanding.
Every day, I wake up and find a new reason to love you, and I know I’ll wake up tomorrow and do the same.
I didn’t realize I could love somebody so deeply, but my love for you is endless.
You bring out the best parts of me and love me exactly as I am.
I’ve never felt so cherished, and I only want to feel that with you.
I can’t wait to spend my life with you by my side. ”
I’m trying to keep it together, but I love the love they have for each other. So bold and open and unashamed. They’re a perfect match, and I’m so glad they found each other.
The officiant moves through the rest of the ceremony now.
Harlow and Knox recite what he asks them to and exchange their rings and ‘I do’s.
’ And when he officially announces them as husband and wife, Knox smiles so wide that it would hurt his face if he were feeling anything but love right now.
He swoops Harlow in for a kiss, and the crowd claps and cheers for the happy couple.
The recessional starts when Fearless starts playing, and I let a small laugh escape because that song is just so Harlow.
Knox and Harlow make their way out of the room while the rest of us follow behind them. I link arms with Ari, and we walk down the aisle happily.
And in my happiness, I forget all about seeing Matt and Anna.
Until I catch his gaze as we’re walking out of the room.
I don’t know what they’re doing here, but I have to just pretend they don’t exist.
I won’t ruin this wedding by acknowledging their presence.
Harlow and Knox deserve a day of nothing but love and happiness, and I won’t do anything to take that away from them.