Chapter 59 – Kat
FIFTY-NINE
THREE YEARS LATER
KAT
“Sweetheart, you look amazing.” Tanner holds my gold strappy heels up as I fight to get out the door of our hotel room to head down to the wedding of two of our best friends. Despite spending the morning with Jenna, she insisted I go up to my own room to get ready because my nervous energy was going to give her a nervous breakdown.
I glance at the clock and panic sets in. I grab my mascara wand and touch up my already thick lashes. My mom’s bracelet glints on the dresser, a reminder of my maid-of-honor duties: Jenna’s something old . I take one last swig of champagne, hoping it will calm my nerves before heading down to the hotel lobby.
Tanner knows what today is—it’s the day we stop rewriting history and start completely anew. Over the past three years, we have built a life together, created new memories and traditions with our families. My mom’s warm hugs and his parents’ delicious dinners are now a regular part of our routine. Happiness radiates from every corner of our home, and it is a dream I never thought could become a reality. I’m so excited to see what comes next.
My business is booming. I’m now utilizing Cheyeanne in a capacity I was terrified to at first. She’s incredibly talented, but I initially struggled to let go of the reins. However, she has proven she’s competent and then some, so when I asked if she would like to shoot the wedding I’d booked long before Jenna and Marcus officially set a date by herself, she instantly jumped at the opportunity. Luckily, the bride was completely fine with it.
Once I’ve fastened my heels, I look down to find a drop from my coffee sitting in the middle of my chest, the red lace of my dress stained a deep brown. “No,” I sigh as I pick at the discolored spot, anxiety over potentially ruining Jenna’s big day washing over me.
“I’m sure she has a stain remover pen,” Tanner says. “Let’s go.” With every passing second, he grows more irritated by my insistence on not leaving the room.
I turn to him, contemplating my options. “Maybe I should just change?” I suggest, mentally scrolling through the other dresses I brought along for the wedding. Jenna requested an eclectic look when it came to our attire as long as it incorporated shades of pink or red. Since this time there are only two other bridesmaids, changing my dress shouldn’t disrupt anything too much.
Tanner lets out a heavy sigh and turns to face me, his frustration barely contained. “If you want to change, do it now. We only have five minutes until we’re supposed to be down there,” he says sternly. Then his gaze travels up and down my body, taking his time. My pulse quickens as I feel his intense desire for me spark between us. “But honestly, you look stunning, even with the small blemish,” he adds with a sly smile before stepping closer to me. “Whatever you decide, though, we have to go.”
“You’re right—I’m sure someone has a Tide pen.” I nod, finally pushing out of our hotel room.
As the elevator doors open, my eyes immediately take in the grandeur of the hotel lobby. My gaze is drawn to a massive chandelier made of solid gold hanging from the ceiling, but my focus shifts quickly to the room off to the side of the reception hall, where I’m supposed to meet Jenna.
As I move to walk away from Tanner, he grasps my hand tightly.
“What is it?”
“You actually have an hour,” he chuckles nervously, causing me to look down at my phone to reveal that it is indeed an entire hour before I agreed to meet Jenna.
“That was a dirty trick!” I smack his arm.
Tanner flashes me a mischievous grin. “No need to worry, it’s just a harmless one,” he says before letting go of my hand and playfully swatting my backside. He pushes me toward the bridal suite where Regina is rushing through the door with a sewing kit. “I’m sure she has some stain remover; why don’t you take care of that, then we can go for a walk?”
In the bridal suite, my eyes lock on Jenna sitting on the couch against the far wall. “You look stunning,” I say, gesturing dramatically toward her.
She rolls her eyes. “Thanks—I looked exactly like this an hour ago,” she retorts.
“Oh, right,” I reply with a laugh. “Sometimes I forget just how beautiful you are. ”
Her lips curve up in a small smile. “Flattery will get you far with me.”
“I know,” I tease before turning to the room. “Anyone have a Tide pen? I spilled coffee on my dress earlier.”
“Brown purse, side pocket,” Regina responds without looking up from her work.
After quickly fixing my stain, I head toward the door. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Where are you going?” Jenna asks, a hint of concern in her voice.
“Tanner wanted to take a walk before we need to get you dressed,” I explain.
Her face lights up at my words. “Oh, okay! Have fun!”
Suspicious of her response, I step back into the stunning entryway and spot Tanner leaning against the garden door, his tawny suit perfectly tailored to accentuate his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His white button-down shirt is crisp and neatly tucked in, with just a hint of cologne lingering in the air around him. He had fought hard for the groomsmen to wear brown instead of traditional black or blue, and Marcus finally caved when Regina pointed out that it was predicted to be a popular trend in the upcoming bridal season. As always, Marcus prides himself on being just a little bit better than the masses.
“Are you ready?” Tanner whispers.
I rise up onto my tiptoes and give him a soft kiss on the lips. Linking my fingers with his, I smile as I say, “Let’s go.”
Despite the sunlight, fairy lights are draped below the gazebo set up for the ceremony, their glow significantly duller than they will be in a few hours when Marcus and Jenna stand below it to exchange their vows. As we make our way past rows of white chairs, we see florists frantically arranging flowers. The scent of roses, lilies, and hydrangeas fills the air as we reach the back of the setup nestled right behind the historic hotel.
My breath catches in my throat as I gaze at the seemingly endless expanse of vibrant flowers perfectly arranged on the lush green lawn. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper as a faint memory stirs within me—one of Tanner and me walking through a similar garden at Kent. I shake my head, perplexed as always that I could have ever seen him as just a friend.
“You’re right, this view is breathtaking,” Tanner whispers, causing my cheeks to flush as his attention never leaves me. He reaches for me, pulling me closer, and his confident demeanor seems to waver. “Come here,” he says in a shaky voice.
As I turn to face him, his grip on my hand tightens and he exhales nervously. My heart races with anticipation.
Tanner clears his throat. “I don’t remember much of anything from before, when we were here on this exact date, before we went back. I remember what I felt, how much I ached for that to be us but knowing that it more than likely never would be. You saw me as just a friend, and admittedly, I hated it.”
“I’m sorry, I?—”
He laughs awkwardly. “That’s not what I’m saying—I’m glad we did it the way we did. I got to have so many incredible memories with you, before we had to be fully functional members of society, when it was still socially acceptable to go out to a bar and get hammered on a Wednesday night. I’m glad it happened the way it did, even if it meant I had to watch you fall in love with him all over again.”
I open my mouth to speak, but Tanner cuts me off. “When we finally got together, when I finally knew that it was a very real possibility that I would get my wish, that I’d actually be able to spend the rest of my life with you, I knew even then that I intended to ask you to be my wife.” A lump catches in my throat as he continues, “And what better day to do that than the first day of the rest of our lives?”
“Wait,” I say, trying not to laugh at his shocked expression. “You can’t propose on someone else’s wedding day, especially when you’re part of the bridal party.”
A relieved smile spreads across his face as he realizes I am just teasing him. I urge him to stand back up, but he remains kneeling on the ground, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Do you really think I would do this without Jenna and Marcus’s blessing? It was actually Jenna’s idea.” He gestures toward the hotel, where Jenna and Regina are peeking through the blinds of the bridal suite, barely containing their excitement.
The realization hits me like a wave—this is real; Tanner is actually proposing to me.
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes and a deep chuckle escapes him as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small maroon velvet box, its purpose unmistakable.
I gasp as he opens the box, revealing a stunning sapphire ring nestled within. The color matches my eyes perfectly, and I feel a rush of emotion at the thought and care Tanner put into choosing it. I extend my hand, trembling slightly as he carefully positions it against the tip of my ring finger.
“Katarina Emma Lyn Marritt, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” His words send a burst of joy and disbelief exploding in my chest.
This moment I’ve dreamed of is finally happening.
Tears of happiness stream down my cheeks as I nod, my voice failing me. A broad smile spreads across Tanner’s face as he slides the ring onto my finger, a perfect fit. We both feel the weight of this moment settle over us, surrounded by an atmosphere thick with emotion and love. I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest, taking in his familiar scent and feeling the warmth of his embrace.
Through the window, we can hear Jenna’s ecstatic cries and see her and Regina pounding against the glass. Any concern about whether they might actually break it is overshadowed by the immense love I am feeling right now and the intense realization of what today is.
The very first night of the rest of our lives.