Page 70 of Exposed

“I told them I didn’t need to come. We don’t know each other that well, and I feel like I’m crashing your wedding,” Aerica admits. “If you want, Indy and I don’t have to stay. I told her we can make a vacation out of it. She’s never been to Florida.”

It’s true that I haven’t hung out with her and Indy as much as the others in our friend group, but she and her daughter are great. Aerica lost Shane, her boyfriend and Indy’s dad. I understand what it feels like to lose someone, so she’s like a kindred spirit.

“Are you serious? I’m happy you and Indy are here,” I say. I’m not a shy person, and having friends here for my wedding is a welcome surprise.

I notice the engagement ring on her ring finger.

“You with someone special now?” I ask, nodding my chin toward her finger.

She looks down at the ring and exhales, twisting it slowly with two fingers. “This was the engagement ring Shane picked out for me. He had it with him in Afghanistan when he was killed. When it was sent back with his belongings, his mom gave it to me. Wearing it makes me feel closer to him.”

“I’m sorry I never got to meet Shane,” I offer.

“Thanks,” she gives me a soft smile. “I’ve yet to meet another man worthy of this ring finger.”

“I didn’t think I’d find anyone either, but I found Pepper,” I volunteer.

Wow. That sounded sincere. Itwas. Hopefully Aerica finds someone to bring her joy like Pepper does for me. I didn’t realize how much I missed having a best friend until Pepper came along. Her friendship has been healing to me.

Pepper possesses this fierce gentleness that keeps me coming back for more. No matter what life throws at her, she stays soft and hopeful.

Fuck.I love her.Even if I didn’t have to marry Pepper to save Simon, I’d want to propose marriage to her. How ironic. The wedding day for my arranged marriage is the day it dawns on me that I truly want Pepper next to me for the rest of my life.

All the noise of my friends jostles me from my introspection. My reserved Pepper may not share the same excitement to have friends here.

“Hey, guys. I need to tell Pepper you’re here,” I announce.

“Sure thing,” Hope agrees.

“You’re thinking about your wife. You’re gonna rock this husband thing,” Deacon gives me a playful punch in the chest.

“We’ve got chairs set up in the backyard. Let’s go out there and wait for the bride and groom,” my dad instructs.

Too late.

Pepper is standing at the end of the hallway with her eyes wide and her mouth open in shock.

Indy turns and gasps, “A princess! You’re so beautiful.”

Pepper looks breathtaking in a white dress, a veil and a fancy clip pinning some of her hair back on one side.

I hurry to her side and put my arm around her to offer moral support while she faces my friends for the first time. My mom takes Simon from my arms.

“Pepper, these are my friends. They came for the wedding.” I lean in close and whisper, “You’re breathtaking, princess.”

She rests her head on my shoulder. “Thanks, Matt.”

I introduce her to everyone, and we all go outside for the ceremony.

28

SUNFLOWERS

PEPPER

His friends from Colorado are here, including Hope, the sister of his late girlfriend. I was expecting it to be awkward, but they’re welcoming.

I don’t have experience with having close friendships. I’ve tried, but life’s always gotten in the way. Growing up, I was an outcast because my family and I were poor.

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