Chapter 19
Camden
“Wow. This place is incredible,” Ellie says while gazing around the lush vineyard in Sonoma.
It’s the weekend of Xander and Sophie’s wedding.
We walk over to the ceremony space, which overlooks fields of grape vines and mountains in the distance.
There are two sections of white chairs for guests.
At the front, in the middle, is an arch made of lush greenery and flowers in every shade of pink.
“Sophie must really like pink,” Ellie says.
“Xander does too. He sends her pink roses every week.”
Ellie flashes a warm smile. “That’s so romantic.”
“Do you like that? Getting surprise flowers?”
She nods, but a second later, her smile falters. “I mean, I would if I ever got flowers. No one’s ever gotten my flowers before.”
She glances down at her lap, and I tuck away that little piece of information for later.
A server walks up to us with a tray of wine and offers us some. I take a glass and hand it to Ellie, then grab one for myself. We find seats next to Ryker and Madeline.
“I’ve never been to a wedding where they serve wine during the ceremony before,” Ellie says excitedly. She sips her glass of white wine and smiles. “Yum.”
“We should have given the guests at our wedding alcohol during our ceremony. Best idea ever,” Ryker says before taking a pull from his wine glass. Madeline chuckles and sips her drink.
“I love your dress. That shade of green looks amazing with your hair,” Ellie says to Madeline.
She smiles. “Thank you. Your dress is so pretty.”
Ellie blushes as she skims a hand over the long, red dress she’s wearing. There’s a slit up the side of it that shows off her mile-long legs, and it’s held up by thin straps that rest on her delicate shoulders.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this dress if you guys hadn’t convinced me to. I don’t normally wear stuff this form-fitting,” Ellie says.
I run my gaze along the flowy fabric of her crimson red dress. When she walked out of the bathroom of our hotel room after getting dressed, my eyes almost popped out of my head. She looks incredible.
I have to force myself to look away from her.
Quit eye fucking your wife.
Madeline chuckles. “It’s fun to get dressed up and wear something sexy every once in a while. Keeps the husbands happy.”
She winks at Ryker. The corner of his mouth hooks up in a smirk. Ellie chuckles, her cheeks flushing pink.
I smile and shrug. “Madeline’s right,” I say, trying to play it cool. Everyone laughs, including Ellie.
She takes another sip of her wine, looking happy and relaxed. I’m relieved and glad that everything is back to normal between Ellie and me since hashing things out after our argument. I was worried we’d have an awkward moment, but things have been good between us.
A minute later, the rest of the guys and their partners join us.
Conversation fades as soon as the trio of string musicians starts playing. Xander walks down the aisle, arm in arm with his mom. He leads her to her seat in the front row, then stands at the altar with the officiant and takes a deep breath. He pulls the lapel of his jacket and smiles at the crowd.
Theo, who’s his best man, pats his shoulder. The string trio begins playing “Here Comes The Bride,” and we all stand.
A second later, Sophie appears with her dad on her arm. She’s smiling with tears in her eyes as she glances at her dad. Coach Porter’s lips wobble as he gazes at his daughter. When they reach the altar, he kisses Sophie’s forehead and wipes his eyes.
My chest aches. I’m so used to seeing him with a frown on his face, looking serious or pissed. It’s kind of sweet how emotional he is in this moment, walking his daughter down the aisle.
I look over at Xander standing at the altar. He’s grinning bigger than I’ve ever seen. A second later, he blinks, and tears fill his eyes.
That ache in my chest deepens. I can’t help but smile, happy to see my friend and teammate so excited to marry his wife.
I may not want to ever get married for real, but I’m thrilled for Xander and Sophie.
I glance over at Ellie, who’s staring at Xander and Sophie as they hold hands and exchange vows at the altar. Her eyes are misty.
I gently tap her hand and pass her a tissue. She smiles and tells me thanks in a soft voice.
“Is it silly that I’m getting emotional over watching two people I just met get married?” she whispers.
“Not at all. It shows how sweet you are. What a pure soul you have.”
She beams, then turns back to watch Xander and Sophie exchange vows. When they kiss, we all stand up and applaud. Xander and Sophie walk down the aisle hand in hand as we all cheer and whistle.
“Get ready for the open bar, everyone!” Xander hollers. We all laugh.
Ellie’s eyes light up. I see that she’s finished her glass of wine. I smile, happy that she’s so relaxed and content.
I turn to her. “Ready for the open bar?”
She grins. “So ready.”