Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
CROIS
When he showed up at Harmony’s door the morning of the wedding, he held a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
This was, after all, a date.
Albeit an unconventional one when they hadn’t even kissed yet.
He’d always had a rather laissez-faire attitude toward kissing.
He’d chalked it up to his upbringing where kissing amongst family was easy and expected. When his family got together it was not odd or unexpected to have cheeks covered in light smudges of lipstick before greeting everyone at the event.
Kissing women he was attracted to as a teen and adult?
He’d hardly given it a thought.
But Harmony?
He hadn’t kissed her yet, but it wasn’t because he didn’t want to.
He wanted to make sure that she was right there with him.
That she wouldn’t think twice about it. Or feel uncomfortable or rushed.
Sure, she said she wanted to be pushed in some instances, but this was different.
He knew it would be for her.
It definitely was for him.
He’d seen her looking at his lips from time to time.
He’d seen the curious look in her eyes and hoped he’d also seen wonder.
And today, as his date for his partner’s wedding, he hoped that she might lean in at some point and invite his kiss.
With a slow in drawn breath to steady his nerves, he reached up and knocked on the door.
When he was done, he stepped back and waited.
He looked down and saw his feet were shoulder width apart as if he was ‘at ease.’
Which for him it meant he was anything but.
He swallowed hoping that it would ease his dry mouth and throat, but there wasn’t time.
The door opened and Harmony cracked the door and peeked out.
Her hair was half up and half down. One side was curly and the other… was something.
She had on a tank top and sweatpants. Barefoot.
She looked out at him with a wide-eyed and harried look on her face.
“Am I late?”
He couldn’t help but smile.
She looked… amazing.
Incredible.
Gorgeous.
It wasn’t about her hair or her outfit.
It was the way her eyes shone when she looked at him.
She was unnerved and likely feeling more than a little awkward, but he loved the way she looked at him.
“You’re not late. I just wanted to bring you something.” He held out the bouquet of flowers he’d brought for her. “I sent you the information on the car I reserved to pick you up. It’s not the best start to a date not to pick you up myself, but-”
“It’s fine. It’s really fine,” she smiled at him. “I don’t mind at all. A hired car is like Cinderella’s coach, except I know I’m ending up with the prince after the dance, right?”
Her voice was light and bright.
“I just hope I end up looking better than a pumpkin.”
He smiled at her joke. “You look incredible now.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it a moment later.
She looked at him, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Her shoulders relaxed a little and she reached out to take the flower bouquet into her hand. “I… I believe you. I’m just not sure I believe that I’m here.” She lifted the bouquet and smelled the flowers. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He knew he’d be buying her a lot of flowers in the future.
“I need to head to the church to help with set up and I’ll be there to seat you before the ceremony.”
Harmony grinned up at him. “Special attention, huh?”
“Absolutely.”
He wanted to reach out and touch her.
Lifting his hand in her direction, he brought his arm to a slow stop.
Before he could figure out what to say to explain, she reached her hand out and put it in his hand.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He was, too.
“Bye, Honey.”
She blushed and looked back at him. “Bye.”
He stepped outside and walked away, taking another look back at her just before he stepped into the stairwell.
Crois smoothed his hands over the front of his tux and smiled. “Getting a chance to take Harmony out and stand up for his partner at her wedding?
The day was only going to get better.
At the church, he knocked on the Bridal Suite door.
Pilar’s mother opened up the door and waved him in.
“Morning, Missus Bravo.”
“Good Morning, Crois. Pilar is getting her makeup done.”
“So it’s okay to come in?”
She smiled and reached out, taking his hand.
Pilar’s mother was tiny.
He’d always thought of Pilar as petite and dainty in some ways, but her mother reminded him of a porcelain doll.
Still, when she took his hand and gave him a gentle tug, he moved after her without hesitation.
“We’re so glad you agreed to stand up with Pilar.”
He lifted his free hand and rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’m sure it was a little confusing since I’m not a woman.”
PIlar’s mother laughed. “It’s a first in our family and we’ve,” she leaned in slightly, “had a number of weddings.”
Crois smiled. The Bravo family was huge.
And close.
He’d met nearly twenty of them when Pilar had been shot and laid up in the hospital.
So many Bravos had come to Center City to check on her that he’d made himself a name tag so that the visitors would know who he was without anyone needing to explain.
“Pilar says you’re bringing a date to the wedding today.”
Crois turned his head and caught the sight of Pilar looking at him in the mirror as a woman leaned in and used brushes to apply her make up.
He gave his partner a slightly sour look.
When the makeup artist lifted a brush from her skin, PIlar stuck her tongue out at him.
“Yeah… I mean, ‘Yes, ma’am.”
“Mama,” Missus Bravo corrected.
“Mama.” Crois felt like a little kid when his Mama and MawMaw’s friends came over to the house after church. He’d always been a little in awe of the room full of women wearing their Sunday best dresses and hats built up with netting and decorations.
“Good,” she nodded. “Now, come…. You can talk to Pilar for a few minutes and then the photographer is coming in along with the bridesmaids for some pictures.”
She led him to the chair beside the makeup table and Crois sat down to watch what the makeup artist was doing.
Pilar snuck a glance at him and then lowered her eyelids to let the artist do her shadow. “Don’t make fun.”
He smiled at her warning. “I’m not stupid,” he chuckled. “I grew up in a family of women. I learned that the hard way.”
She smiled softly. “Sometimes, I think we’re more alike than not.”
He reached out and put his hand on hers, giving it a little squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
The makeup artist turned to get something from the vanity and Pilar turned to look at him. “I’m not. You’re a great partner, Crois. I know you have my back.”
“And I’ve got yours, Bravo.” He hesitated then. “Are you going to change your name at work?”
She smiled. “No. I’m keeping Bravo at CCPD. It’s just easier since there’s another Ashley on the force.”
He nodded. “It makes sense. Although, I’m thinking you just want people to think you’re worthy of applause. Bravo!”
She shook her head. “There’s my partner.”
He gave her a half shrug.
“Hey,” she turned back to face the mirror as the makeup artist reframed her face with loose wisps of hair, “is Harmony here with you?”
Crois couldn’t help the smile that warmed up his whole face. “I ordered her a car to pick her up at the apartment. I didn’t want her to sit out in front of the church until we start seating.”
Pilar’s smile widened. “Damn, you’ve got this, don’t you?”
Crois sat back against the chair. “I’m trying. I’m really trying.”
“You put your efforts in the right place. She’ll see it, Crois.” She blinked and he worried that she might tear up. “She’ll feel it.”
A knock at the bridal suite door turned their heads.
Pilar’s mother smiled. “That’s the photographer.”
The makeup artist leaned in to check her makeup. “You’re beautiful.”
Crois nodded as he gazed as his partner. “Perfect, Pilar. You’re incandescent.”
“Sweet talker.”
“Only the truth, partner. Only the truth.”
HARMONY
It was something, she realized.
The man who looked ah-mazing in a tux a few hours before looked like he’d walked straight out of a bridal magazine as he stood up at the front of the church with his CCPD Partner.
Now, Doctor Ashley, Pilar’s soon-to-be husband, looked handsome in his tux, but the man who she was staring at, the man who she couldn’t wait to touch and hold, was standing there holding the bride’s bouquet as she exchanged her vows and rings with the handsome trauma surgeon from Cole Medical’s Emergency Room.
Crois’ hair was wavy normally, but whatever he’d done to his hair for the wedding make it look like the ends were curled and slick.
It was an image she never wanted to forget.
When the couple was reciting their vows, the groom told his bride, “I know that this world guarantees us nothing. We both see some of the best and worst of humanity every day, but I do know one thing. I love you. I will always stand by you. Always.”
His words touched Harmony and a subtle movement turned her head.
She saw Crois turn his head to look at her and he met her gaze with his own.
He looked at her and mouthed the word, ‘Always.’
Harmony pressed her lips together in a smile wondering if anyone the had seen that, but she knew that everyone was watching the bride and groom.
She felt her whole body warm from the intimate exchange.
Even in a packed cathedral, she felt like they were the only two in the room, in that moment.
Wow.
Could life really be like this?
CROIS
After the wedding party photos, he made a beeline for Harmony.
He took her hand in his and gave her another look from head to toe. “You look amazing.”
She looked down at her dress and then looked back at him. “Vega helped me pick it out.”
Crois tensed up. “Your ambo partner went dress shopping with you.”
She nodded. “He’s got a sister who had to find a dress for a similar event. And he’s didn’t want me to go shopping on for the dress.”
He nodded and tried to ignore the big pang of jealousy that stabbed him in the gut. “It’s a great dress, honey.”
Crois saw her glow at his words and he reminded himself that she was there with him, and not her partner at work.
“I hope you’ll dance with me tonight.”
She tensed a little at the suggestion, but she didn’t shut down. “I don’t dance.”
He drew in a breath, trying to come up with the right thing to say.
He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, but he wanted her to try… with him.
“But I want to dance with you.”
Her words were music to his ears.
“As long as you’re willing, Harmony. I’ll take care of the rest.”
She stepped closer, slipping one arm around his back and leaning her cheek against his shoulder. “I know. I believe you.”
Those five words made him feel like an honest to goodness hero.
He leaned in, touching his cheek to the top of her head. “Let’s head over to the reception.”
“Yeah,” her voice was soft but steady, “let’s go.”
HARMONY
The reception was incredible.
The food? Amazing. She liked fish and the fish they served was the best fish she’d had since she arrived in Center City.
After a while she wondered if it was really that good or if it was the atmosphere of the reception and the company.
Crois sat beside her made sure that her glass of iced tea was never more than half empty and that she was having a good time.
Even when Crois got up to make his speech she didn’t feel alone at all. The rest of the table had a warm presence that she enjoyed.
The most amazing moment in the lantern lit tent was during the first dance.
The guests turned their seats so they could see the dance floor and Crois helped her angle her chair. His arm rested lightly against the back of her chair and when she felt his fingertips graze the curve of her shoulder, she reached up her hand to touch his.
As the lighting lowered around the tent and the chandelier above the dance floor glowed like it was powered by love, Crois laced their fingers together.
They watched in companionable silence as Crois’ partner and her husband moved in unison on the dance floor.
When the song ended and the guests got up to applaud enthusiastically, Crois stood with her and the hand that had been holding hers slipped down to her waist.
Harmony turned toward him and felt her body touch his from her hip to her shoulder.
“Do you want to dance?”
His voice sounded like it was purring in her ear, his hand against her hip made her feel protected.
She nodded because she couldn’t speak.
The song that the DJ had put on was also a slow dance number and the lights had stayed soft and warm.
Crois led her out to the dance floor and instead of turning her toward him, he turned toward her.
He put his arms loosely around her body and she…
She remembered what Pilar had done. Lifting her arms, she looped her arms around his neck and relaxed into his loose embrace.
Harmony looked up and lost herself in his eyes, trusting him to lead her on the dance floor.
As the song went on she realized that her trust in him was justified.
He held her and moved with her and she never once felt awkward.
When the song ended, she looked up at him with her whole heart in her eyes, she just wasn’t sure he could see it.
And he proved her wrong.
“Walk with me?”
She heard his words and not for a second did she consider telling him no.
Harmony took his hand and they walked out into the night.