Chapter 9
NINE
Fern
My alarm goes off at five in the morning. For a few seconds, I lie there staring at the ceiling, trying to remember where I am.
Then it hits me.
It’s the wedding day. Valerie’s wedding.
I groan softly and roll out of bed before the alarm can go off again. My entire body aches from the past few days of running around, barely sleeping, and staying up far too late with Jackson.
My eyes cut to where he’s still sleeping, and I grin as I take in his toned chest. I still can’t believe I’ve spent the last few nights in bed with him.
Jackson.
Just thinking his name sends a warm flutter through my chest. An ache follows right behind it.
Tonight is the last night. Tomorrow morning, I’m on the first flight back to Wolf Valley.
Back to my life. Back to my apartment above the bakery. Back to normal.
Without Jackson.
My throat tightens.
No.
I shake my head hard, forcing those thoughts away.
I have a wedding to run, and if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s focusing on the task in front of me.
I shower quickly and quietly, being careful not to wake Jackson as I get ready. Pulling my hair into a neat twist, I choose a simple navy dress that’s professional but still comfortable enough to run around in all day.
By the time I step out into the hallway, my phone is already buzzing.
“And so it begins…” I mutter when I see Valerie’s name flashing on the screen.
I answer it. “Yes?”
“Where are you?” Valerie snaps.
“On my way to the bridal suite.”
“You should already be here.”
I roll my eyes as I step into the elevator. “We have hours until your ceremony.”
“Well, hurry up.”
Click.
I stare at my phone. “Lovely as always.”
The elevator doors open, and I step out, already mentally running through the day’s schedule.
Hair and makeup at seven.
Flowers arrive at ten.
Ceremony at four.
Reception immediately after.
Cake cutting at seven.
Send-off at ten.
I’ve planned weddings for years, but somehow this one has felt like planning a military operation, which is ironic considering I’ve been spending my nights with an actual Navy SEAL.
My cheeks warm at the thought.
The bridal suite door bursts open just as I walk up.
Caroline, the missing bridesmaid dress girl, rushes out holding a curling iron. “Fern! Thank God. Valerie wants to talk to you.”
Of course she does.
I paste on my professional smile and step inside.
Chaos greets me instantly.
Hair stylists.
Makeup artists.
Bridesmaids everywhere.
Valerie stands in the center of the room in a silk robe, looking like a stressed-out queen.
“Finally,” she says.
“Good morning,” I reply calmly.
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes.”
“The band?”
“Yes.”
“The cake?”
“Yes.”
She narrows her eyes. “You sound annoyed.”
“I’m just busy.”
“Well, don’t be. This is the most important day of my life.”
I bite my tongue, smile, and nod. “Yes, Valerie.”
Hours pass in a blur.
I run from the ceremony site to the reception hall and back again. I direct florists, fix a seating chart disaster, calm Aunt Linda down when she decides the appetizers aren’t gluten-free enough, retrieve Uncle Josh from the bar before noon, and track down Courtney and her boyfriend—again.
By the time the ceremony begins, I feel like I’ve run a marathon, but everything looks perfect.
White chairs line the beach. Soft ocean waves roll behind the altar. Flowers sway gently in the breeze. Guests settle into their seats as the music begins, and for a moment, everything goes still.
Then I see him.
Jackson stands near the edge of the ceremony space, dressed in a dark suit. His dark hair is neatly combed. His green eyes scan the crowd until they land on me.
And stop.
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly, and my heart flips in my chest.
God, he looks unfairly good.
I force myself to focus on my clipboard, checking off final details, but I can feel his eyes on me, and when I look up again, he’s still watching.
The ceremony begins.
Valerie walks down the aisle looking radiant, with Paul waiting stiffly at the altar.
The officiant starts speaking. Guests watch, but every few minutes my gaze drifts back to Jackson, and every time he’s looking right at me.
Like I’m the one walking down the aisle.
Like I’m the bride.
Warmth spreads through my chest, and suddenly, the thought of leaving tomorrow hurts more than I expected.
The ceremony ends with applause and cheers.
I immediately shift into work mode.
“Cocktail hour starts now,” I tell the catering staff.
Guests move toward the reception area while I double-check the tables. Everything flows perfectly. Exactly the way it should.
By the time the reception begins, music fills the ballroom, and guests start dancing. I slip toward the edge of the room, taking a quick breath.
Jackson appears beside me. “You snuck out on me this morning.”
I look up at him. “I didn’t want to wake you. I had to be up super early.”
“I wouldn’t have minded.”
I smile, bumping my shoulder against his, my eyes scanning the party.
“You did great today,” he says.
“You’ve been watching?”
“All day.”
Something soft unfolds in my chest. “Well… someone had to make sure everything didn’t fall apart.”
He studies me for a moment. Then his voice drops slightly. “Save me a dance.”
My stomach flips. “Okay.”
His lips curve. “Good.”
And just like that, he disappears back into the crowd.
The reception rolls on: dinner, speeches, cake cutting, champagne, and finally… dancing.
Jackson finds me again halfway through the night. Without a word, he takes my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. His arm wraps around my waist as we sway slowly together.
“You’re exhausted,” he murmurs.
“Worth it.”
His thumb brushes my back. “I’m glad I met you.”
My chest tightens. “Me too.”
I don’t let myself think about tomorrow, not tonight. Tonight I just want to be here. With him.
The music picks up, and we laugh and spin across the floor with everyone else. I drink champagne, sipping the sweet bubbles down until I feel just as light.
Jackson pulls me into dance after dance, and at some point, I kick off my heels. By the time the reception finally winds down, I can barely keep my eyes open.
Jackson chuckles softly when I stumble slightly. “Easy there.”
“I’m fine,” I mumble.
“You’re half-asleep.”
“Maybe.”
Before I can protest, he scoops me up into his arms.
I gasp. “Jackson!”
“You’ve walked enough today.”
I loop my arms around his neck, laughing softly. “Everyone’s staring.”
“Let them.”
He carries me out of the ballroom and into the quiet hallway. The elevator ride is silent except for my sleepy breathing.
By the time we reach my floor, my eyes are barely open.
Jackson carries me inside and sets me gently on the bed. He pulls the covers over me like I’m something fragile.
I smile sleepily up at him. “You’re sweet.”
His hand brushes my hair away from my face. “You deserve sweet.”
Emotion swells in my chest. I want to say it. The words sit right there on my tongue. I love you. But my eyelids grow heavy.
Jackson leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
I try to speak, but sleep pulls me under before the words can come out.