Chapter Eighteen #2
“Never. She’s my everything.” He takes a deep breath, struggling with his next sentence.
“There was a time when I thought I had lost you. The fact that you are standing sober here today is like staring at my answered prayer. I just wanted to say that I love you. I’m proud of how far you’ve come and that you’re here to celebrate with us.
I didn’t want much from this wedding but two things, to marry Maya and for my sister to be here to witness it. Thank you for being here.”
“Oh, Desi . . . dang it, my mascara . . .” I throw my arms around his shoulder, sniffling through the tears. “I love you too. So much that I brought you a gift.”
I hold out the small rectangular box and he takes it, lifting it to his nose. His eyebrows shoot up.
“It smells like Granny.”
“Stop sniffing and open it.”
“Where did you get this, Reese?” Lips trembling, he opens the box and pulls out the handmade handkerchief with the letters RB embroidered on the corner. “I remember this.”
I take it from his hand and wipe the tears forming in his eyes. “I know she would have wanted you to have this. And it’s actually quite useful since I know you’re going to be crying all day.”
He wraps me up in his arms, his shoulders shaking.
“It’s the best gift you’ve ever given me. Thank you.”
“Here,” I say and tuck it into his front jacket pocket. “That way you can see it in your photos too.”
He moves to leave, the wedding coordinator signaling for us that the wedding is about to start. “See you in the church.”
“I better.”
I rush back into the suite, dabbing under my raccoon eyes to remove the runny mascara, and apply another layer of lip gloss when a shadow spills over my shoulder.
“What flavor are you wearing today?” Tristen’s voice quivers with excitement.
I press my lips together, spreading the smooth gloss evenly as I eye him in the mirror.
“Why don’t you find out for yourself?”
There’s zero hesitation as he practically spins me around and scoops me up onto my tiptoes, his mouth hot on mine. The wind is knocked out of me at the electricity that still pulses through us each time we kiss.
“I have to head back to the guys, but I wanted to sneak in and see you.”
“You mean kiss me.”
“I did both. It was a productive visit,” he says, as charming as ever.
I brush my fingers through his beard, loving the coarse texture. “Agreed. Save me a dance?”
“I’ll save all of them for you.”
He catches my laugh on his lips, grinning through the kiss. I love how easy it is to be myself with him.
“Seriously. You’re going to get me in trouble. I have to go.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Stop being so kissable.”
He kisses me one last time before rushing out the door before the wedding coordinator can find him.
“You two are sooo cute,” Nia says, making kissy noises.
“I don’t even like him,” Lola mocks, then leans her head back and laughs. “I totally called it.”
“He grew on me . . . what can I say?”
When Maya strolls around the corner in her wedding dress, the whole room bursts into a mixture of sighs and tears. My poor mascara doesn’t stand a chance.
Her white gown crisscrosses over her chest and flares out at her hips, the bottom half sparkling like diamonds. Lace-capped sleeves cover her shoulders to her fingertips, matching the lace of her long train.
The bridal party is rushed from one spot to another, taking pictures every five seconds like we’re being chased by the paparazzi when it’s actually just Orlando, one of Maya’s many cousins.
Through the blur of activities Maya is the picture of calm, nothing but smiles, even when a button pops off the back of her dress.
Lola jumps to the rescue, sewing it back on as we walk to the front of the church.
Since starting CR, I come here weekly, even attending service on Sundays again. So, when they give me the signal to walk down the aisle, it’s with no fear or doubt in my heart—besides the possibility of tripping in these high heels.
The pews are packed. One side is full of Rocosa residents, and the other side is Maya’s family, with some overflowing on Des’s side due to lack of space.
The groomsmen wait patiently at the end, with Des blinking back tears already.
Tristen winks at me from down the aisle, and I’m unable to stop the blush heating my cheeks.
Handsome to distraction, his wide shoulders fit perfectly in his tailored jacket, the pink tie accenting his tan skin.
With each step, the sound fades out and my heart pounds with a truth I can’t ignore.
He’s the one.
The man who makes me laugh and protects me at all costs.
Who listens to me when I’m mad and holds me when I’m crying.
All those times I pushed him away . . . I was an idiot.
Thank God he never listened. Because I would never know this feeling.
How he can steal my breath away with one look.
Or kiss me until nothing in the world exists but him.
I love him with all my heart.
Shaking my head, I startle at the realization, moving into my spot for the ceremony.
The bridal march starts once all the bridesmaids have entered, the entire church rising to their feet.
Maya practically floats down the aisle, radiant in her white lace gown.
The train fans out behind her, elegant like royalty.
The ceremony is quick and to the point, and more times than not, I find my gaze straying to Tristen’s only to find his already on me.
When the pastor pronounces them husband and wife, the room erupts in hoots and applause as they kiss, and I’m surprised the stained-glass windows don’t shatter from the noise.
The bride and groom race down the aisle hand in hand, too lost in each other’s gaze to notice everyone cheering.
As the maid of honor, Julia moves to leave first, but instead of grabbing Tristen’s arm, she takes Cai’s, another member of Des’s biker group, and follows the newlyweds.
One by one, the bridesmaids leave, and when it’s my turn, there’s only the best man left—Tris. He offers his arm, grinning.
“Do I want to know how you coordinated that?” I ask.
“I have my ways. I know someone on the inside.”
I laugh, never feeling happier than when I’m with him.
The reception is just as beautiful as the ceremony.
The pink sunset shines through the windows, matching my dress perfectly as Maya predicted.
Rose garland is strung from floor to ceiling, filling the space with its floral scent.
The food is delicious, prepared by Maya’s relatives in buffet style.
I can’t help but smile as I add some of her mother’s tamales to my plate.
Soon the music is pulsing through the room, and all of Maya’s family hits the dance floor. She even helps me drag an awkward Des onto the floor, a feat I never thought possible.
“We have to represent the Brooks family,” I say, throwing my hands in the air.
The next song cuts on, slow and romantic. Suddenly, the world is spinning, and I find myself caught up in Tristen’s arms as he sways us across the floor.
“I believe I promised every dance with you, Reese’s Cup.”
Cradling me close, he sways us to the beat. I rest my head on his chest and relax, letting that connection run between us. After such a long day, I can’t help but close my eyes when he starts to hum along with the song. His warm vibrations tingle in my ear, sending goosebumps over my skin.
A song about love that can withstand any obstacle—a song about us.
When it’s time for the toast, I hurry back to my table, thankful I didn’t have to prepare a speech in front of everyone.
A waitress places a champagne flute by my plate and I wave at her, motioning for her to take it away.
“It’s ginger ale,” she says. “The bride made sure this is a dry wedding to respect the groom and his family.”
“Oh. In that case, thank you.”
Maya catches my attention from down the table, giving me a thumbs-up.
Julia takes the stage first, a blubbering mess as she tries to get out a speech about friendship, love, and how book boyfriends can exist in real life.
Of course, my eyes stray to Tris at my side as his arm slides over the back of my chair, the subtle way he always needs to touch me. He leans in to whisper in my ear, “This applies to audiobook boyfriends too.”
I grin. It sure does.
Tristen is up next, no index cards needed.
He reveals an embarrassing story of Des’s terrible date the night he met his future wife.
Meanwhile my brother buries his head in his hands, his ears red on the tips.
Then Tristen pivots, comparing it to his first date with Maya and how Des had called him that evening to say he knew he was going to marry this girl.
“So everyone raise your glass to the newlyweds, Desmond and Maya. To no more first dates and a lifetime of happiness.” He lifts his glass high in the air and the rest of us follow suit.
“Now, before I give you back the mic, I want to say one last thing. A month ago, I called a truce with Rocosa’s sexiest mechanic—”
“No, I didn’t,” Lewis yells over top of Tristen, and the crowd breaks out into peals of laughter.
“Nice try, boss,” I say, wrinkling my nose at him from the bridal party table. “Go on, Tris.”
“As I was saying, we agreed to a truce that neither of us would argue until after the wedding.”
The uproar of laughter is booming, and I shoot Tristen a glance, who rolls his eyes at their antics.
“To be honest, I have no idea who broke the truce first. All I know is that it was the bridge to where we are now, and to be honest, I’ll concede for that.
As a punishment, I’m supposed to say that I am wrong and Reese is right.
Ahem, so here I go. I was wrong about not realizing Reese was the right one for me.
That counts, right?” The crowd claps their approval, but he only has eyes for me. “I love you, Reese’s Cup.”
His eyes start to tear up, and he hands the mic to the DJ, shaking out his hands as he walks back to our table. I’m out of my seat in a second, throwing myself into his arms—my favorite place to be.
After the cake is cut, we sneak outside to pull the motorhome to the street corner.
Tristen honks the horn, summoning everyone outside. Des pulls a confused Maya to the front of the motorhome with “Just Married” written in oversized letters on the back window.
“What is this?” Maya asks, pressing her hands to her cheeks.
“It’s for you, Mrs. Brooks,” Des says. “I didn’t want your fear of flying to stop you from exploring the world. Our honeymoon awaits.”
“How did I win the lottery with someone as sweet as you?”
“I can’t take all the credit. Reese and Tristen took my idea and made it reality. It’s their wedding gift for us.”
Her face crumples as tears start to stream down her face. She grabs Tristen and me in a group hug. “I can barely form any words.”
The newlyweds climb aboard, floored at all the improvements. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the gloomy cat shrine, but seeing the smile on my brother’s and sister’s faces, I have no regrets.
Before I can jump back onto the dance floor, Tristen drags me into the photo booth. We make a silly face, and the camera counts down, the lights flashing as it takes our picture. Our goofy faces appear on the screen, both of us sticking our tongues out.
“This is going to be the new photo in my recording studio,” he says.
I lean my head back and laugh, surprised he’d consider that pose as inspiration. Unprepared, I’m blinded by the second flash, and I turn to Tristen, blinking the spots away. He’s unfazed, leaning close with a smitten haze in his blue eyes. He cups my cheek, his thumb brushing over my skin.
I’ve been trying to find the perfect moment all night to tell him how I feel, and it seems the perfect moment found me.
“I love you,” I confess softly.
His eyes widen. “You do?”
Another flash goes off.
I nod. “More than I thought was possible. I don’t need to break a truce to be forced to tell you how amazing you are—because it’s true.
I’ve been blind to have missed it. How sweet and funny you are.
How you notice my triggers before anyone else—including myself.
How you love me just as I am, just as I love you, despite how bossy you are. ”
He sputters a laugh.
“I can’t imagine a life without you in it.”
Then I yank his pink tie, pulling him in for a kiss just as the last photo flashes.