Page 231 of Staying Selfless

“I don’t know how we are supposed to have kids,” I tease. “You have no room on your arm for more family members.”

“Baby,” he knowingly laughs, holding up his un-tatted arm. “I’ve kept this one blank for a reason.”

Chapter 57

One Year Later

Logan

“I need higher heels.”

“Ali, I don’t think you could walk down the aisle in higher heels than those,” I laugh.

“I’m going to look like a child standing between you and Cam up there.” She smooths down her forest green bridesmaid’s dress while standing on her tiptoes, trying to give herself more height.

“Ali, I’m only 5’8”. That’s short for a guy.” Cam straightens out his bow tie. He looks so handsome in his suit, matching the groomsmen. The only difference is the type of tie he has on, indicating that he’s standing on my side as a bridesman. “I’m glad I’m not a groomsman. Standing between Maddison and Zanders? No thanks. Trev is six foot, and he’s going to look tiny up there.”

“Well, you and Logan are both 5’8” which means you’re practically giants in my book.”

“I feel your pain, Ali girl,” Mary chimes. “Us shorties have to stick together in this family of giants.”

“Mary, that dress.” My eyes go wide when she comes into view. I’m still in my robe, adding the finishing touches to my makeup as my soon-to-be-mother-in-law shows off her gorgeous fit through the mirror.

“I’m not trying to show you up,” Mary teases. “But it is what it is.”

She wraps her arms behind me as I sit in front of the mirror, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I love you,” she says with sparkly eyes.

“I love you, too.”

I got to read another letter from my mom today. The one she wrote me for my wedding day, and I already had a good cry this morning. So, I’m trying to keep it together for the rest of the day, but being surrounded by my best friends and family fills me up with so much appreciation and love.

I’ve never cried as much as I have over the last three years. There were some tears shed in grief early on when my parents passed, but most of the emotions I’ve felt since I met Eli are purely from love and gratitude. And it feels good to feel it all.

But today, I’m just happy, so I’ll leave the crying to Eli.

“Ready to get into your dress?” Mary’s hands are on my shoulders, excitement radiating across her features.

I take one last look at myself in the mirror. My green eyes are shining, my skin is glowing, and my dark red hair is perfectly curled and pinned back to showcase the neckline of my wedding gown. I feel good.

“Let’s do it.”

But before I can stand from my stool, a knock at the door draws my attention. The ceremony starts in thirty minutes, so I’m not sure who would be knocking right now, but Ali answers the door to find out.

“Marcus,” she says after a quick gasp of air.

Ali flew in from New York on Thursday evening and only saw Marc at the rehearsal dinner last night. I’m sure that seeing her old college flame all dressed up in his suit for the wedding, with his hair freshly cut and his boutonniere on, is not what she was planning to find when she opened the door. Her wide eyes and gaping mouth would have to agree.

“Hey, Alison.” Marc shyly smiles at my tiniest friend. “You look...beautiful.”

Apparently, Ali is speechless for the first time in her life because she just nods in agreement.

Marc lets out a laugh. “Can I talk to Logan for a second?”

Ali takes a deep swallow, moving out of the way so Marc can see me, and as soon as his brown eyes meet mine, they shine and sparkle with pride.

“Logan, you look incredible.”

“Just wait until I have my dress on,” I smugly add.

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