Page 75 of Gracefully Yours

So much for trying to deny my attraction to my best friend.

The man who was about to be my husband.

CHAPTER18

Daniel

Four months ago, we’d been at a different wedding, one where everything had changed. And today—it was our turn.

Benjamin patted me on my shoulder, giving me one big smile before I turned towards the house, to where I knew Charlotte was waiting on the other side.

Her best friends were already standing on the other side of us, dressed in that blush pink shade Charlotte loved so much. They each carried bouquets of white and pink roses with baby’s breath—I didn’t even want to know how hard that had been to get in the middle of winter—in their hands.

I was sure that behind me, each of the guys had their eyes glued to them. They were all spectacular women, but I only had eyes for one girl.

The door opened, and there she was.

My bride. My wife-to-be.

Ever so gracefully, she practically floated towards me, the sun behind her making it look like she had a halo against her soft blonde curls. And she didn’t take her eyes off of me for one breath.

There was no chance that I would ever look away.

I was misty-eyed before she’d even taken the first step, but the closer she got to me, the more choked up I was.

Charlotte. My Charlotte.

With a veil tucked into her hair and the brightest smile on her face.

She’d been working away on that dress in her sewing room for the last month, and I hadn’t gotten a single peek, but I never would have imaginedthis.It clung to her skin, dainty lace sleeves down to her wrist, and a corseted bodice, the skirt flowing down to her feet before extending in a long train behind her.

And the dress—the entire damn dress—glittered like the snow that had coated the ground.

She pressed a kiss against her dad’s cheek before he settled down in the row with her mother, sister, and her sister’s family.

Charlotte passed her bouquet to Noelle as she stepped up to join us.

“Hi,” I whispered as she stood beside me.

“Hi.” A few loose curls framed her face, and I resisted the urge to touch them. To touch her.

God, had she always been this beautiful? Was I crying?Fuck.Charlotte’s thumb came up to my face, wiping away one singular tear.

“Don’t make me cry, Daniel,” she whispered. “Or I will throw you to the dogs.” She tilted her head to indicate her best friends.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “It’s just that…” I sucked in a breath. “You’re so beautiful, Char.”

“Thank you.” She tilted her eyes down, as if she could hide her adorable blush. It was my favorite thing in the world.

Finally, we nodded at our officiant that we were ready to start the ceremony, and Charlotte’s hands slipped into mine.

“Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. Today, we are gathered together to unite Charlotte and Daniel in marriage.”

I was sure if I had turned out into the crowd, I would have seen countless friends. We hadn’t invited too many people—our closest family members, friends, and co-workers, but I knew they were all here to support us.

But I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Charlotte.

The officiant gave a brief speech—he’d talked to us yesterday about what to prepare, so none of it was much of a surprise.

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