Page 123 of One Touch

I couldn’t help myself from sending the picture over to Lily. I wrote a text to go with it.

You made this happen.

And then, in spite of my better judgment, I put a kiss at the end of it.

“Come on, kid,” I said. “Let’s hit the road. Gotta pick up my suit at Cole’s, and I think you’re having your hair done there.”

“Silly Daddy. My hair’s perfect already.” She grabbed her black hair and piled it on top of her head, then pushed out her tongue and crossed her eyes.

Oh god. I loved her so much. I had to do everything I could to stop her getting hurt.

***

The wedding was taking place on the secluded beach near Cole and Elara’s home, a hidden gem they had transformed into a dreamscape. They adorned the path leading to the beach withdelicate string lights and cherished photographs of themselves, as well as Rhea and Lexi, pegged along the line, telling their love story. At the end of the path stood a hundred white wooden chairs, perfectly aligned to face the sea. A towering driftwood arch, entwined with fragrant white jasmine flowers, framed a breathtaking view of the ocean, and a string quartet stood beside it, ready to serenade the bride and no doubt bring a tear to our eyes.

There was a quiet hum of discussion from the crowd as I waited next to Cole, under the arch.

“How are the nerves, bro?” I asked, quietly.

“Probably be feeling a little better if I hadn’t had that final whiskey last night.”

“You can’t turn down Lagavulin, though,” I said, with a wry smile.

“Even though I know I’m doing the right thing, and marrying the right person,” Cole said, his voice breaking slightly, “I still feel fucking nervous. Is that wrong?”

“Of course not. You’re getting married, Cole. If you weren’t nervous, I’d think you were a damn alien. You remember my wedding?”

Cole nodded. “Don’t remember much of your bachelor party, but I remember the wedding.”

“Pretty different to today.”

“Right. It was a good day, though.”

“It was. I was the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life.”

Marie and I had gotten married at the local church. Although faith wasn’t so important in my life, Marie was a real church fiend, and her folks even more so. It had been a small, traditional ceremony, with a registrar who seemed unable to make eye contact. I remember fumbling with my tie and sweating bullets under my suit. Despite the nerves, it was a good day—the saying of the vows, the amusingly austere organ music, the softscent of pine from the church’s wooden pews, the laughter from our friends during the reception, and the simple joy of being surrounded by loved ones. It was quick and practical, and at the time, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“How aboutmywedding day?” Cole asked, looking over at his ex-wife, Stephanie. “I still can’t believe I showed up drunk to that one.”

“You’ve done some growing since then, that’s for sure,” I said.

“I was mostly nervous for that one because I knew it was the wrong move for me. Hoped that saying our vows would magically make all our problems disappear. Of course, they were just the start.”

I swallowed. “Yeah. Marriage isn’t right for everyone.”

“Hey man,” said Jack, appearing beside us and squeezing Cole’s shoulder. “Still can’t believe you didn’t ask me to be Best Man instead of this asshole.” He pointed at me. “But I’ll let you off. I’d have probably shown you up anyway.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cole grumbled. “I only didn’t ask you because you didn’t tell me if you could make it until a week ago.”

Jack shrugged. “Hockey before homies, bro. You know that.”

Cole was about to say something snarky, but then string music started to play. The wedding march.

“It’s go time,” Cole whispered.

“See you on the other side,” said Jack, scooting down to his seat beside Susie and Patrick.

The first figures to come into view were Lexi, Rhea, and Ava. My heart swelled with pride as the three girls scattered flower petals down the aisle, jostling each other to grab fistfuls of flowers from one basket.

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