Page 67 of Choosing the right Man

I wipe at my eyes, laughter escaping in my raw joy. “I don’t know how it happened, but it happened, and I’m completely in love with the man,” I tell my friends and co-workers. “I didn’t think it would last, but... here we are.”

For the next few minutes, I hear a lot of congratulations. My face begins to ache with a smile that won’t stop. But then, the crowd parts, and again I lose my breath as more tears pop into my eyes. My dad is walking toward me... and shock of all shocks, the hippie who’s never owned a suit in his life, is wearing a beautiful black suit that makes him look so dang suave.

“Dad,” I gasp as I rush to him and fall into his arms. He squeezes me tight.

“It seems you’ve found a good man,” my dad says with a chuckle. “He not only got me here for this beautiful moment, but managed to talk me into wearing this monkey suit too,” he adds with a laugh.

“I never thought I’d see the day you’d wear a suit,” I tell him.

“Stranger things have happened,” he says.

Mason comes up to us, and wraps his arm around me. “I truly appreciate you coming and sharing this moment with us, sir,” Mason says.

“I’m very pleased with the joy you bring my daughter,” Dad says.

I gaze up at Mason with all of my love showing in my eyes. “I love you, Mason. Thank you for this beautiful moment. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

“I want to give you perfection every single day,” he tells me.

“You give me that just being at your side,” I tell him. Dad chuckles before he moves over to the food table and begins loading up a plate.

Mason pulls me into his arms again, and we gaze at each other, the rest of the room fading away. I reach up and cup his cheek in awe that this has all worked out. My life went from tragic to beautiful, and I feel like I don’t deserve it.

“I love you so much,” I whisper.

“You’re the love of my life,” he replies. He kisses me again, and I know we won’t always have perfection, but that would be boring anyway. We have each other, and we’re going to make it together for the rest of our lives. This time, a weddingwillhappen. I want to become this man’s wife more than I want my next breath of air. From tragedy, beauty can arise. This was meant to be, and I’m so looking forward to the future.

Chapter Forty-Four

Mason

I don’t want to wait to make Chloe my wife, so we plan the wedding quickly. It takes a few months to bring it all together. I would’ve run to the justice of the peace the day after I asked her to be mine, if I could’ve gotten away with it, but my mother would’ve killed me.

Since Chloe’s mom left when she was very young, my mom has stepped up and helped her plan every step of the wedding, making it a perfect day. I don’t care about the flowers or decorations. I don’t care what the cake tastes like. I don’t even care about the music. I just want to make Chloe mine... and make me hers for the rest of time and all eternity. I don’t want to ever be without this woman.

Our wedding day is finally here.

I’m alone in my dressing room, and more nervous than I’ve ever been. I know this is right, and I only want to say our vows. I’ll feel so much better when it’s official, when I know nothing will ever come between us. People have surrounded me for seventy-two hours straight, and I need these few minutes on my own. I never knew weddings could be such productions.

I don’t mind the production, though, because it’s just one more day in a beautiful relationship, and after today, I get her all to myself for two weeks straight on a fantastic honeymoon. And then, I’ll have Chloe at my side every single day after. We’ll work together, paint together, pursue our dreams, and grow old together. Our lives will be perfect in every way.

I smile at this thought. Life isn’t meant to be perfect, but I can’t imagine anything else with this woman at my side. I love the messiness, drama, and excitement that comes with a relationship, too. If things were too easy, life would be boring, and I’ve never been bored in life.

I have my back to the door when it opens. I barely manage to keep a groan from escaping. I simply asked for thirty minutes alone. How is that so hard for people to respect? I don’t think it’s too much to ask for. Maybe if I ignore whoever is here, they’ll take the hint and walk back out.

“You always have looked spectacular in a tux.”

The low, sultry voice comes closer as the words are spoken. My entire body tenses. Slowly, I turn. Bella stands before me in a blue dress clinging to her curves. She’s always been a beautiful woman — and time hasn’t changed this.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice cold.

She steps closer, and I back away. I don’t like retreating, but I figure this is the safest option for both Chloe and me.

“My invitation must’ve been lost in the mail,” she says with a laugh. There’s zero merriment in her expression.

“You’re my past, Bella. You need to stay there,” I tell her.

She doesn’t so much as blink at my cruel words. She slowly stalks toward me. I quit backing away. I’m not giving her a lick of power. She stops with only inches separating us. Her delicate hands raise, and she attempts to adjust my tie. I slap her hand away, my body tense.

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