31. Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-One
Beck
They say that when you know, you know…that when you meet the person you want to be with, all doubts flee.
When you know, you know.
I don’t have any clue who “they” are. Is this a collective “they”? The royal “they”? Regardless, “they” are definitely right.
Because when I see Dallas, looking beautiful in her form-fitting, shimmery silvery dress and her tool belt, I know.
I know.
She glances behind her before she rushes over, her mouth dropped open in surprise. She reaches out for my hand. “Beck Billingsley, you are a sight for sore eyes.” If I’m not mistaken, her eyes are teary.
I don’t have time to ask if she’s okay because she goes on tiptoes and plants a swift kiss on my cheek. “The ceremony’s starting in a moment,” she whispers. “But thanks for being here. There are a couple of open seats in the back.” She squeezes my hand and begins to jog in her flats while I follow behind her.
“Oh, I don’t want to crash the wedding. I wasn’t invited—”
“It’s fine,” she throws over her shoulder. “Really. You renovated the building for heaven’s sake.”
“But you put this all together for them, Dallas. And I’m so proud of you for pulling it off.” Since we’re already outside heading to the rows of chairs in the sand, I’m resigned to my fate. I guess I’m going to a wedding and not lurking behind the shadows like I’d planned. “Can I help you? Do you need me to get you anything?” I ask her.
“Probably later, I’ll need you to bring me something to wolf down in a closet or something. I tend to not eat very well on wedding days.”
My mind immediately goes to other things I’d love to do with her in any and all closets in the mansion, but now’s not the time. “I’ve got you. I’ll bring you anything you want. Do I get to sit by you? Or are you needed elsewhere?” We’ve nearly reached the back row of chairs.
“You know the hut you assembled a few weeks ago? Mission control is in there.” She points to her headset and gives me a grin.
“You love this, don’t you?” Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she hadn’t been ready to cry.
But when she blanches, I know something’s up. “Yes and no,” she whispers. Lila and Ryan have joined hands, and the officiator looks up at the audience and pauses, probably waiting for Dallas and me to take our seats. Oops.
One last squeeze of my hand, and a look from her blue eyes as she pushes back a lock of auburn waves, and she’s hurrying to the hut, lifting a hand to offer an apology at the wedding party up front.
The couple and officiant only smile. I doubt anything could ruin their big moment.
The ceremony isn’t sappy at all. It’s just down to earth. Simple. Nice. A dull ache starts in my gut. Call me old-fashioned. Call me a romantic—I don’t care—but I want this. And maybe it’s too early and maybe I’m a fool for thinking this way already, but I want this with Dallas.
*****
The ceremony is short and sweet. Dallas is out of the “command center” and off like a shot, simultaneously being gracious, funny, and kind to everyone she comes in contact with while overseeing everything that’s going on with precision. I’m nothing short of dumbstruck.
I rush to catch up with her, settling into a matching stride as she heads into the back of the mansion.
“Can I help with anything? Consider me another version of Mary right now.” Just as I say that, I catch a glimpse of Mary, like a crossing guard and drill sergeant dressed in her Sunday best, directing people to the covered patio for music and drinks while the photos are being taken.
“The caterers have just arrived, so I’ll get them squared away.” Dallas’s forehead is bunched up and she worries her lip.
I only nod and follow her inside as she greets the manager and crew of the catering company and gets them set up. I work alongside her for a while, moving tables and chairs to just the right spot.
It’s nice to be in here, where we’ve worked so hard. The mansion turned out even better than I imagined. Maybe this will be a steppingstone to Leo and his friends getting the YMCA wing of their dreams.
Finally, with the caterers all set up and starting their prep, I grab Dallas’s hand and lead her to the new bathroom. Not the most romantic of locations, but it’s quiet. And it’s a really nice bathroom now.
“Hey, you okay?” I tenderly tuck back a lock of hair with one hand and wrap another hand around her shoulder.
“Welcome to the wedding life, Beck.” Her gaze darts to the floor.
“Is this normal wedding stress, or is there something else?”
“Uh. Well. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Instead of making a joke about her obsession with footwear, I wait for her to continue. She sighs. “The only thing bad that’s happened is a missing pair of earrings, Beck. And I’m just wondering if that’s enough or if there’s more. There’s always something bad in every wedding. I can’t shake that something else is going to happen.”
“Have you checked the cake?” I deadpan.
She makes a sound of disgust, but smiles. “I triple checked that thing. It’s the right one, I promise.”
“Well, that’s good. Sweetheart, you have so much on your shoulders right now. And you’re doing amazing. Whatever happens, good or bad, I’m here, okay?”
Tears fill her eyes, and she sniffs, running the tip of her finger under her eyes.
“I sorta like that you called me sweetheart.”
“I did, didn’t I? It’s true. You’re sweet and you have my heart.”
“Oh, Beck. You’re making me think I can actually pull this off.”
I press a light kiss to her forehead. “It’s an amazing wedding.”
“And you’re here,” she says.
I gather her in my arms and breathe in her sweet scent.
“As much as I’d love to kiss you right now, I know you’ve got a lot to do.”
Mary’s voice comes through the headset and I’m close enough to hear that it sounds mildly urgent. Although with Mary, you never know.
“I’m on my way,” Dallas says into her headset. Her gaze rakes over me and without warning, she presses against me and closes her mouth over mine. I’m lost, freefalling for a moment, and then she spins us both around so that I’m up against the wall. Hello! The soap dispenser might have even fallen to the floor with her enthusiasm.
“Wow,” I say against her mouth. “That’s it. I’m coming to every wedding you do.”
“You’d better,” she says, challenging me, as she kisses me again.
As quickly as it began, it ends, Dallas breathing heavy, her eyes lidded.
“Wow,” I say again.
One side of her mouth tips up in a smile.
“You got this, Dallas. I’m here all night, okay?”
The other side of her mouth goes up, but then her gaze darts to the floor. “Wait.” She gasps. “What is that?”