2. Chelsi
CHAPTER TWO
chelsi
“You look really gorgeous,” Logan murmurs, nuzzling his nose against my neck. “I’m so goddamn lucky to be here with you.”
An uncontrollable soft moan comes out of me as his fingers trace the inside of my arm, dancing ever so softly, setting my body ablaze. There’s something magical about being here with him, an innate feeling that my life is going to change forever, even if I don’t fully understand how, when, or why.
“I’m glad you came with me,” I reply, gazing into his dark brown eyes. “I know it was a lot to ask.”
Logan shakes his head. “Don’t say that. There’s no place I’d rather be than at this wedding.”
Is this really happening? Could he be the man I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with?
Remain calm. Now is not the time to go all girlie and start obsessing about getting married. I’m likely feeling this way because I watched my best friend exchange vows that were utter perfection and almost made me cry—the woman who rarely cries.
Excitement and trepidation roar through me, simultaneously breaking down every barrier I’ve created around my heart to keep the riffraff out and immediately building stronger steel-reinforced barricades, making it impossible to understand how I’m supposed to feel.
It’s like being at the starting line of a race, with green and red flags waving simultaneously.
How the hell can anyone make sense of that?
More wine. That will solve my problem. Another glass to force myself to stop thinking about the future and focus on the present.
Enjoy the moment. Stop worrying about when my life will inevitably go to shit, like the last time I thought the man I was dating could have long-term potential, only to find out he was hooking up with multiple girls at the same time.
There’s nothing more humiliating than realizing one of the infamous “are we dating the same man?” Reddit threads your friends are cackling over is about your boyfriend.
Talk about the surprise of a lifetime at the wine bar on an otherwise uneventful evening.
“I’ll be right back.” I stand and head toward the open bar set up across the lawn.
Kate and Jake couldn’t have picked a more perfect place to get married.
They exchanged vows on the beach, and the reception is on an enormous ceremonial lawn overlooking the ocean.
The expanse could likely seat hundreds, but has somehow been made to feel extremely intimate with one long table in the middle and high tables sprinkled throughout the open space for people to mingle.
In what must be an engineering feat, a canopy of twinkle lights and florals spans across the entire area, creating a breathtaking visual while miraculously not blocking out the moonlight. It’s so perfectly Kate.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” Jimmy croons, coming up next to me as I wait in line at the bar.
He’s wearing chino shorts and a navy-blue Hawaiian shirt that should look ridiculous, but instead looks fucking hot.
“Please tell me you’re saving me a dance.
” He gives me a seductive grin, sending a message he’d like to do more than dance.
What is wrong with this man? Why do so many women fall victim to his good looks and charms? I mean…I kinda get it when he’s on stage and strumming a guitar. He has this rugged Greek-god-cowboy thing going for him, making him intoxicating and dangerous. Not to mention his panty-melting smile.
“You know I have a boyfriend, right?” I ask, uncertain whether Jimmy is that oblivious or doesn’t give a flying fuck.
I’m beginning to think it might be the latter because he doesn’t seem to understand the concept of not interested.
In his defense, when we first met, I might’ve shamelessly flirted with him to get under Kate and Jake’s skin after they warned me about Jimmy’s womanizing ways.
He scoffs. “You mean that guy?” His thumb points in Logan’s direction as he rolls his eyes. “Let me know when you’re ready to be with a real man. That guy is merely a boy wearing a man’s clothes.”
My mouth parts slightly. He can’t be serious. Jimmy is the most childlike member of Jake’s band. The one who tends to lose his shit when anything irritates him. The guy who has a different girl in his bed at every tour stop. He can’t possibly believe he’s more of a grown-up than Logan.
Shane’s boisterous laugh breaks the silence. “For fuck’s sake, Jimmy.” Shane claps him on the shoulder. “Are you trying to hit on Chelsi again? How many times does she have to ignore you before you take a hint?”
Jimmy glares at Shane. “She’s just playing hard to get. Worried that one night with me would change her entire life. She’s not ready for that type of ecstasy.”
Shane roars with laughter, leaning over to brace his hands on his knees, and I can’t help but join in. There’s no way Jimmy’s being serious. He can’t possibly think he’s a sex god.
That would be… That would be…
So fucking Jimmy.
“What? It’s not my fault some of us know how to use our equipment better than others,” Jimmy replies, crossing his arms.
Oh, for the love. He’s serious.
Shane catches his breath, standing straight. “Did you just refer to your dick as equipment?”
“Yeah. When you have a piece of heavy machinery like mine, you must know how to use it properly.” Jimmy smirks and winks at me. “I’d be happy to give Chelsi her operator’s license any time.”
Oh my God. How do women fall for this nonsense?
Shane shakes his head. “Damn, Jimmy. You are something else.”
That’s putting it mildly. Just when I think Jimmy can’t be any more of a walking red flag, he opens his mouth.
“What can I get you to drink?” the bartender asks, breaking the standoff between Jimmy and Shane.
Each of us orders another beverage, while Jimmy continues to stare down Shane like he’s somehow competition. For what? I have no idea. It’s impossible to know what’s going on in Jimmy’s head.
“Well, chatting with you both has been a blast, as always, but I should probably get back to my boyfriend.” I raise my glass before taking a small sip, allowing the crisp, chilled white wine to hit the back of my throat, instantly quenching my thirst.
“Make sure you save me a dance,” Jimmy repeats as I walk away from him.
Definitely not going to do that. Not because Logan would care.
He’s relatively chill about other men talking to me.
It’s been that way since we started dating.
At first, it made me wonder if he was really interested in me.
The previous men I dated hated it when I had male friends or when they saw another guy checking me out.
Not Logan. None of it fazes him. Perhaps this is what a truly evolved, confident man looks like.
I’m about halfway to my seat when Kate comes swooping in and grabs my arm. “You have to come with me,” she says, quickly striding toward the dance floor and pulling me behind her.
“Why are you in such a hurry?” I ask, trying to keep up with her pace and wondering how she can walk so quickly in the three-inch heels she’s been wearing since the reception began.
“It’s time for the bouquet toss, and I want you to get the best spot.” She stops, turning to look at me. “I’m going to throw it directly at you. Do not let any of these other women get their grubby hands on it.”
I chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand. “Kate, there are like five single women here. I don’t think it’s going to be a cat fight for your bouquet.”
Kate’s face turns serious. “We’re not taking any chances. It’s my wedding: I get what I want.”
“So, now you’re going to turn bridezilla on me?”
“When it comes to your happiness, hell yes. It’s time for you to get your happy ending, Chelsi.
” She pauses, pressing her lips together as her eyes become watery.
“I know you’re a strong, independent woman, and I love that about you.
But I can’t express how much better life gets when you find the person you’re meant to spend it with.
It’s like seeing in color for the first time. I want you to have that.”
This is why everyone needs a best friend like Kate. It’s her wedding day, and she’s thinking about my happiness. Convincing herself that if I catch her bouquet, I’ll magically find my soulmate.
“Let’s get this over with.” I squeeze her hand as we finish walking the rest of the way to the large black-and-white dance floor at one end of the lawn.
After the emcee announces the bouquet toss, Anna quickly scurries over to stand beside me while Kate stares down each of the other single women until they begrudgingly join us. Looks like not everyone is thrilled about this old-school tradition, except for Kate and Anna.
“Listen, I know Kate’s your best friend and all, but I’m thirty-three and Southern.
It’s practically unheard of for me to be single.
So, I’m going to fight hard for this one.
You might want to give me some room unless you plan on brawling,” Anna says matter-of-factly, as if she didn’t just politely threaten to bulldoze me if I get in her way.
“All yours, Anna. I have no desire to tie the knot anytime soon.”
Anna nods, then slips off her heels and stretches her neck. Holy shit. She’s not kidding.
Across the grass, Logan holds up a champagne glass in my direction and winks. A flutter of butterflies starts in my stomach, making me wonder whether he’s sending me some type of signal. Does he want me to catch the bouquet? Is he thinking about the future, too?
What has gotten into me? One wedding weekend and I’m this close to buying a minivan and moving to the suburbs.
I have to snap out of this weird state I’m in.
Too much time in the sun followed by too many hours of wedding-related activities has made my brain go haywire.
I’m sure it’ll be back to normal once I’m in Chicago.
This is only a temporary feeling. That’s all it has to be—
Kate’s bouquet hits me square in the face, bouncing off my nose and falling into my open hands.
How did that happen? I wasn’t paying any attention and didn’t realize Kate had even thrown the bouquet, and now I’m somehow holding it.
“Looks like you’re next, Chelsi,” Anna quips. “I’d give it two years before you’re walking down the aisle.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh…you’re not a believer.” Anna frowns. “I get it. You’ve probably not seen the magic happen, but I have.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused about what the hell Anna is prattling on about and how any of it relates to me.
“When a couple who are the epitome of true love get married, magical events start occurring afterward. It almost always starts with the bouquet toss. Whoever catches it finds their soulmate and gets married. Then there are the couples who meet at the wedding and end up falling in love. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture.
” Anna sighs. “Looks like it’s your turn.
Maybe this means Logan is the man for you, after all.
” She gives me a big grin and then walks away, leaving me standing on the dance floor holding a bouquet of cream roses by myself.
I’m not one to believe in superstitions, but my heart has other ideas. It’s pounding, wondering whether all of this is happening for a reason. Is the universe trying to send me a sign that my path toward forever starts tonight?
I glance in Logan’s direction as a mixture of excitement and panic builds within me as he smiles.
Is it possible that my future husband is here? That I’ve dated my last red flag. That I’m on my way to happily ever after.
God, I sure hope so.