Chapter 38
Hess
It’s wedding day.
My barn doesn’t look like a barn anymore.
It’s been transformed into something out of a storybook.
White drapery sweeps across the beams, softening the rugged wood.
Strings of lights crisscross above, glowing warm and golden.
Greenery winds up the posts and spills onto the tables, where candles sit in little clusters, waiting to be lit.
And in one hour, it will be filled with family and friends who’ve come to witness two people committing their lives to each other.
But right now, it’s quiet. Just me and Landon standing in the middle of the aisle as he adjusts his tie in the reflection of one of the windows.
“Nervous?” I ask.
He shakes his head, smiling as he glances at me from the side. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“You’re gonna weep like a baby when Selena walks down the aisle.”
“Yeah, probably.” He turns to me, giving me a look that’s way too knowing. “What about you? Are you going to cry when Camila walks down the aisle?”
“I’m the one who escorts her. Best man and maid of honor, remember?”
“That’s right.” Landon nods. “Selena said things are pretty serious between you guys.”
My mouth pulls into a smile before I can stop it—one of those dumb, helpless grins I only get when I think of her.
Landon laughs, pointing at me. “Oh, you’re in trouble.”
“Yeah,” I admit, pushing out a breath. “I’m in so much trouble.” The words come out before I realize how true they are, but standing with my best friend as he’s about to marry the love of his life, I say it for the first time out loud. “I fell in love with my wife.”
The confession hangs in the air, and I almost laugh because it sounds ridiculous, and yet it’s the truest thing I’ve ever said.
Landon claps a hand on my shoulder, grinning. “Then you need to tell her. Before this whole crazy thing ends, make sure there’s no doubt in her mind how you feel.”
It’s never been a question of if I’d tell Camila that I love her. It’s always been about whether or not my love is enough to make her stay.
Camila
Everything feels chaotic but, at the same time, calm.
The wedding coordinator rapidly talks through her headset, shouting orders while my mom fluffs the bottom of Selena’s dress.
Then Hess appears.
Black suit, black tie, stubble trimmed to perfection, hair curling just enough over his ears to make my fingers itch with the urge to touch it.
My breath catches, because yes, he’s handsome, but it’s more than that.
It’s the way he carries himself—confident, grounded, a gentleness behind every manly feature.
Then his eyes land on me, and his hand slowly lifts, resting on the back of his head as his gaze sweeps down the length of my black bridesmaid dress, halting for a moment on the slit on my upper thigh, then continuing up to my face.
There’s no mistaking the appreciation in his stare.
He likes what he sees. Heat rushes up my neck, and before I can say anything, he says it out loud.
“You’re stunning.” His words come out on a reverent breath, and nothing has ever made me feel more beautiful than this moment.
“So are you.”
He pulls me into a soft hug, whispering into my ear, “How many hours do I have to wait until I’m alone with you?”
My head falls back with light laughter. “Quite a few.”
He kisses the soft spot just below my ear, scattering chills down my spine. “Something to look forward to.”
The wedding coordinator snaps, telling us all to line up.
Behind the barn doors, violins swell louder.
I glance over my shoulder, and my heart expands.
Selena, radiant in white lace, her arm looped through Mamá’s, a huge smile on her face.
My heart expands, so happy that my mom has the honor of walking Selena down the aisle.
It’s fitting.
She raised an incredible woman, and now she gets to give her away.
I lean in, whispering to them. “Let’s go get you married to the love of your life.”
But before I can turn back, she reaches out, grabs my arm, and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you for supporting me, Cami. I couldn’t do this without you.”
Emotion swells, stinging the corners of my eyes as I hug her back tightly.
There have been times over the years when I resented the ease of Selena’s life.
The fact that she didn’t have to carry any of the same burdens I had to, but all that melts away into perfect love.
Everything I did for Selena growing up was so that she could have a better life.
Every sacrifice led to this moment, so she could have the unattainable fairy tale I wished for so badly when I was younger.
There’s a swell of pride that I was able to help make this moment possible.
I sheltered her enough to keep her from becoming jaded like me.
“You’re my baby sister. I love you so much.” I pull back to meet her gaze. “I’ll support you no matter what.”
The doors creak open, and a collective gasp ripples through the guests. I slide my arm through Hess’s, and he nudges us forward. My pulse pounds in rhythm with the music as we step down the aisle, smiles surrounding us.
He leans close, voice pitched low for only me. “Do you remember our wedding day?”
A short laugh escapes me. “How could I forget?”
His eyes glint with mischief. “Bit different vibe this time, huh?”
“I don’t anticipate the groom quoting The Princess Bride during the ceremony.”
“Sorry I did that. That was dumb and immature.”
I squeeze his arm. “It was exactly what I needed in that moment.”
His lips press into a closed-mouth smile as we stare at each other until we reach the front.
I switch my gaze to Landon. He’s already tearing up.
I send him a small smile, a silent approval that I’m happy he’s marrying my sister.
Then Hess presses a featherlight kiss to my cheek before we split to opposite sides.
The violins deepen, and the crowd stands.
Escorted by Mamá, Selena walks down the aisle, eyes locked on Landon, and I’m struck by how much I want this kind of love to run me over like a freight train. My gaze flips to Hess. He’s already watching me, and in his eyes, I swear I see my future.
It’s beautiful and scary at the same time.
The ceremony begins. Words about love, honor, and forever fill the air.
I should be watching Selena and Landon, but I can’t stop finding Hess’s eyes across the aisle.
Every time the preacher says something about having and holding, in sickness and in health, Hess holds my gaze, and I know he believes all of those vows.
I know he’s the type of man who means, as long as we both shall live.
Hess finishes his best man speech, and the clinking of glasses rings throughout the barn. It’s my turn now. I rise from my chair. My hands tremble slightly against the stem of my wine glass, but I clear my throat and smile at the tables of guests.
“When Selena first told me about Landon, I’ll admit I was skeptical of their whirlwind romance.
To me, everything sounded too fast and too good to be true.
And as her older sister, it’s my job to worry.
” A soft ripple of laughter moves through the tables as I find Selena’s face.
“But then I watched them together. Watched how happy Landon made my sister. And the more time I spent with the two of them, the more I began to see what Selena sees. I saw a kind-hearted man, who makes her laugh, who adores her. I saw a man who will take care of her, not because she needs someone to take care of her, but because love makes you want that kind of partnership.”
I pause, my voice catching as I look at Hess, realizing those words are true for him too.
“The truth is, I might be the older sister, but Selena has taught me more than I could ever teach her. She’s taught me not to be afraid of love.
To take that risk and give it everything you have.
That marriage isn’t chains or obligations.
It’s a collaboration. It’s two people building something together out of compassion, respect, and selflessness. ”
Tears sting the corners of my eyes now, but I don’t bother hiding them. I glance at Selena, who’s already dabbing her cheeks with a napkin.
“Having spent the last five-plus years as a divorce attorney, I’m the last person in the world to be offering marital advice, so I thought I’d steal something from another woman I respect so much.
She said that marriage is all about KFC.
Kindness. Forgiveness. And commitment. If you two can remember that, I know you’ll have a long life full of love.
“And so, tonight, as much as it hurts my protective, big-sister heart, I’m officially handing over the reins.” My eyes shift to my new brother-in-law. “Landon, you’ve got Selena from here. I know you’ll take care of the woman we both love so much.”
I lift my glass, and the room follows. Applause breaks out, warm and loud, as Selena jumps to her feet, hugging me.