Chapter 20 Jules
JULES
“Alright, ladies. I’m out of here for the next day.”
Birdie closed the register drawer, turned, and said, “Have a good night, Jules.”
“See you later,” Serena added from where she was restocking the to-go containers we used for the cupcakes. “Enjoy your day off tomorrow.”
If they only knew what I was up to…
I beamed at them. “I will. Thank you.”
There was nothing strange about me having the day off tomorrow.
I always tried to work one in for myself every week to ten days just to break things up.
It was good, because it gave the girls time to work together without having me there, and I was able to enjoy just a little extra time off.
A day like today got me thinking, though.
And I realized that the conversation I’d had with Beau last night had been prudent.
At some point in the very near future, I was going to have to look at hiring someone else, even offering Serena some full-time hours.
Hopefully, she’d be interested. Because there was no telling how things were going to progress with this pregnancy.
And even if it was uneventful, I was certainly going to need to have another set of hands on deck to help ease the burden on Birdie and Serena once the baby arrived, and I took off for an extended time.
For now, I was glad I had the two women I already did helping me out.
But I’d been worried that at least one of them would’ve noticed that I was acting a bit unusual today. All day long, I felt like I was hurrying, rushing to get everything done. And I wanted it all to be perfect.
It was my bakery. I’d been doing it for years, and I hadn’t ever had a day like I’d experienced today. I knew it was adrenaline. The excitement about what was ahead. It was a wonder I’d been able to think straight all day and accomplish any tasks with how I felt on the inside.
Fortunately, neither Birdie nor Serena had noticed anything. Or, if they had, neither had mentioned a thing about it.
Unwilling to waste a precious minute on a day like today, I scurried through the crowds and was practically jogging across the parking lot toward my car. That’s when I heard Wyatt’s voice.
“Hey, Jules,” he called. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”
I slowed to a stop and turned to find my oldest brother walking in my direction, his long legs rapidly gobbling up the distance between us. “Hi, Wyatt.”
“Bad day today?” he asked.
My body tensed. Had he figured out what I was doing today? Was he going to try to stop me?
I shook my head, my brows pulling together. “No. What would make you say that?”
He swept his hand out in my direction. “Since when do you run out of here?”
“I’m not allowed to be eager to enjoy being off early today?” I countered.
Wyatt laughed. “I’m not saying that. I was just surprised. So, do you have anything fun planned?”
The smallest twinge of guilt moved through me. For a very brief moment, I deliberated telling him the truth. But I gave that thought only seconds of consideration before I decided against it.
That’d be asking for trouble. If I’d wanted someone to show up and object, I’d spill the details to Wyatt about my plans to get married today.
It still felt so strange to think that.
Married. Me!
I was so excited about it; I was practically bouncing on my toes.
“I do have plans to run an errand before I head home, but I’m mostly planning a night in tonight.”
Technically, that wasn’t a lie. I didn’t intend to spend most of my night indoors. Naked and in bed with Beau, if I had anything to say about it. But Wyatt was one of the last people who needed to know that detail, especially if he learned it would be happening immediately after I got married.
I’d have been lying if I said there wasn’t some small part of me that had experienced a bit of nostalgia for the wedding that I’d envisioned having all my life—the fancy white dress, all my family and friends, a massive celebration.
But I loved everything about what Beau and I had decided to do.
We could always have a big celebration with family and friends later.
“A quiet night in. I struggle to remember what that was like.”
A smile spread across my face. “Jack won’t be little forever. The time is going to fly by, and you’re going to miss these days.”
He sighed. “I know. But it’s difficult being in the trenches right now. In fact, I’m heading home early today just to give Rhea a bit of a break. She’s been feeling overwhelmed.”
I reached out and squeezed his arm. “You’re a good dad, Wyatt. And a great husband. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
“Thanks, Jules. I’ll see you later.”
“Later, Wyatt. Give Rhea my love. And give Jack extra kisses and a cuddle from me.”
“I will.”
Without waiting for any additional response, I scurried off, desperate to get to my car, so I could make a quick stop on my way home. I couldn’t be late today.
The extra adrenaline I’d been feeling pumping through my body all day long didn’t subside.
And that was a good thing, because it allowed me to be decisive and to keep moving forward with each task ahead of me.
It had done such an excellent job of it that I had managed to get home, shower, and be completely ready to go just two minutes before Beau arrived to pick me up.
As I approached the door, knowing he’d be on the other side, a thrill of delight ran through me.
I was still buzzing as I opened it. But the second I did and saw him dressed in a suit, everything slowed down. Standing there, tall and proud and handsome as ever, was the man who was about to become my husband. I savored everything about the moment.
“Beau,” I whispered.
His lips curved into a smile. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
I smiled back. “I was so disappointed when I bought this dress the day I went shopping with my sister, because I didn’t have anywhere to wear it. Thank you for giving me a reason.”
“I know they say it’s supposed to be bad luck to see the bride before she walks down the aisle, so we’ve already got one strike against us. Would it hurt us worse if I kissed you now, too?”
I stepped forward, pressed my body against his, and drove my fingers into his hair at the back of his head. As his hands settled on my hips, I said, “We’ve been daring about everything we’ve done from the start, and I think it’s been working out okay. Do you really want to change things up now?”
Beau’s fingers pressed in at my hips, and he dipped his head, so his lips could brush lightly against mine as he whispered, “You really do have a rebel heart, Jules. It’s wildly seductive.”
If he had wanted a response, I couldn’t provide one. Because Beau captured my mouth in a claiming kiss that made my knees weak. It took no time at all for me to become completely caught up in him and our kiss that I was ready to pull him into the apartment and close the door behind us.
Beau had slightly more sense and control. He tore his mouth from mine and asked, “Are you ready to do this?”
“I’ve been ready since you asked me last night.”
“Then we need to go if we’re going to make it on time.”
Unwilling to risk being later, I was out the door in a flash, and Beau and I were on our way.
Everything passed in a bit of a blur, much like the first half of the day, until I was standing before Beau, hands linked, listening as the judge spoke.
Until we were there, I hadn’t realized how lucky we’d gotten.
Evidently, we needed to file for the marriage license, pay a fee, and schedule the ceremony.
We’d been fortunate enough that there was a spot open for the ceremony today.
But none of that mattered to me now. I was here, getting married to Beau. And the way he was looking at me told me everything was going to be perfect for us. That no matter what was ahead, we were going to be okay.
“And now we’ve reached the part where many couples wish to exchange a token as a symbol of their love and unending devotion, like a ring. Now, Mr. Easton, do you have such a gift for Miss Westwood?”
“I do,” Beau answered.
My heart nearly beat right out of my chest as his eyes met mine, and he winked. Beau reached inside his pocket, pulled out a velvet ring box, and opened it. Inside sat a simple band of diamonds. It was so simple and delicate, and it was absolutely perfect.
He pulled out the ring, took my hand in his, and slid the ring on as he repeated the vows after the judge.
“And Miss Westwood, did you have a ring to offer Mr. Easton in exchange?”
Beau gave my hand a squeeze and whispered, “It’s okay.”
Apparently, he believed he was the only one who’d thought ahead. “I do.”
Surprise littered his features as I reached for my purse and pulled out the simple white gold band. It was a far cry from the chunky silver rings I was accustomed to seeing on his fingers, so I hoped he’d still wear it.
I took Beau’s large hand in mine and repeated the vows as I slid the ring on his finger. And the moment it was settled there, something washed over me.
We hadn’t made any declarations of love, nor did we know everything about each other, but somehow, this man was now mine.
I lifted my chin and met his stare. Something in his eyes told me he had similar thoughts moving through him. He was mine, and I was his.
The judge said a few more words, but all I heard was, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal the union with a kiss.”
Beau smiled, framed my face in his hands, and kissed me, soft and sweet.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Easton.”
“Thank you,” I said, positively beaming.
When Beau and I made it outside, he took me into his arms and spun me around. “We’re married.”
Laughter spilled out of me. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t believe you got me a ring.”
“Well, I didn’t want the rest of the world thinking you were a free agent.”
He chuckled. “Like that would even matter. I can’t think about anyone else besides you.”
“Very good answer.”