EPILOGUE
Cole
Cole thumbed through the growing blue folder full of wedding contracts, notes, and photo inspiration. A grin formed on his lips as he tugged out the photography flier and scoured the package options.
“Rosey Posey, what do you think of hiring a videographer?” he called from his seat on the condo balcony.
“Hang on!” her voice echoed back, wafting to his chair along with the telltale scent of homemade chicken parmesan.
Cole inhaled and closed his eyes, relishing the salty scent infusing in his nose. His mouth salivated as her footsteps grew louder.
“Hmm?” Rose gripped a dish towel in one hand and a saltshaker in the other. She winked and stepped out onto the balcony. Her long brown hair danced in the breeze and the sun caught the glimmer in her eyes.
I’m one lucky man.
Cole leaned forward and gripped her around the middle. Dragging his palms along her smooth skin beneath her t-shirt, he moaned.
“What’s up, Cole?”
With his opposite hand, he tapped the flier on the table. “A videographer,” he choked out as a flurry of contentment blanketed his body.
“What about one?” Rose frowned and flipped the dish towel over her shoulder. “They look expensive.”
“Oh, come on.” Cole lifted his finger and tapped her nose. “We can’t put a price on the memory of our wedding day.”
Her breath stilled before the saltshaker slipped from her grip. It rolled along the concrete and fell off the balcony. “Shit!” Rose groaned and peeked over the edge. “Damn it, Cole! Look what you made me do!”
What I made you do?
Her bare feet pounded back inside. The front door slammed and the contentment that had captivated his heart moments ago, vanished. “What the hell?” he muttered and dragged his fingers through his short blond hair. With wide eyes, his gaze returned to the flier.
Each photography and videography package stared back, every option more enticing than the next. Cole sighed and leaned back in his chair, ready to compare the options to the next vendor.
But her familiar, sweet voice—the love of a lifetime—caught in the breeze and reached his ears.
“Fucking videographer...”
Leaning forward, Cole peeked over the balcony and spied her head buried in a bush. He snorted with amusement until her next words ripped a hole in his heart.
“Maybe if I never said yes, I wouldn’t be in this fucking situation.” She gripped the saltshaker and stomped back toward the front door.
And Cole’s soul shattered with the truth.