Page 100 of Pucking Secret

“All right!” he kisses her forehead. “We should go line up, the wedding is going to start soon!”

As the procession begins, I walk toward the front with Owen, and I have a moment where I can clearly picture us doing this for our own wedding. When we reach the altar and part ways, he gives me a smile that makes my heart race and I’m reluctant to let him go. I move to the side, forcing myself to focus on what’s happening, and not on my fantasies of standing at this altar with Owen as we say our own vows, promising our lives to one another. Soon, Millie makes her way down the aisle with all the confidence in the world, tossing petals like a pro. I glance at Owen, and he’s beaming, his eyes fixed on her with pride.

When Grace appears, led by her dad and radiant in her flowing gown, Jensen does, in fact, start crying, and I can hear a collective “aww” ripple through the guests.

As she reaches him, Jensen takes her hands in his and gazes at her like she’s the most precious thing in the whole world to him, and knowing Jensen, she is.

“Welcome, friends and family of this happy couple,” the officiant begins, his voice loud and carrying across the gathered crowd with ease. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two beautiful people…”

As the officiant speaks, Grace and Jensen continue to gaze at each other and it’s clear the rest of us don’t exist to them right now. They’re in a world all their own. Catching Owen’s eye from where he’s standing in line with the groomsmen, he gives me a soft smile. It makes my chest tight and a sense of longing rushes through me.

Grace and Jensen are getting their forever together… and I want mine with Owen, as well.

When it’s time for the vows, the officiant asks Jensen to go first.

He clears his throat, and for a moment, I’m not sure if he’ll be able to get through what he wants to say— he’s so overwhelmed with emotion.

At last, he begins. “Grace, when I first met you, I had no idea that you were going to be the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with… but I knew you were special. I knew, somehow, that you would change my life. It was only supposed to be a spring break fling, but you were always so much more than that. Which is why I instantly knew one week with you would never be enough. I wanted forever with you, and even when I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again, a part of me always knew you and I were meant to be. I love you with all my heart, and I vow that I will continue to love you, cherish you, honor you, and adore you for the rest of my life, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad. I am yours, body, heart, and soul from now until death, and even beyond.”

By the time he’s finished, tears are running down my cheeks, and I’m not the only one. I’m pretty sure half of the people present are crying right now.

The officiant looks to Grace nexts “You may say your vows now.”

Grace takes a deep breath and wipes away a stray tear before beginning. “Jensen, I wasn’t looking for anything more than a week of fun, where I could let loose and pretend to be someone different. Then I met you, and my whole world changed… I just didn’t realize it at first. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. With you, I’m able to be fully myself. I’m a better person because you love me, and I will always be grateful that we found each other again and that you never gave up on us. I love you, Jensen, and I vow to always love you, cherish you, honor you, and adore you. In sickness and in health, in good times and bad. I am yours, body, heart, and soul from now until death, and definitely beyond.”

I can hardly take this. They’re words are so full of genuine affection and devotion, it makes my heart swell and tears of joycloud my vision. Before I know it, the officiant is declaring, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Jensen grabs Grace and dips her as he kisses her hard. We all cheer and clap, and then follow them as they make their way back up the aisle and head toward the resort, where the reception is being held poolside.

Waiters are already there with trays of appetizers and champagne. A live band is playing beside an open space on the pool deck, meant to be the dance floor. There’s no sit-down dinner, but food stations set up that guests can wander between. One has flatbreads, another has cheeses and meats, a third has shrimp cocktail, and the options go on and on. Small tables and chairs have been set up where we can sit and talk and eat, but it’s a casual atmosphere — a party where everyone can just relax and have a good time.

While the guests all mingle, getting food and drinking cocktails, the photographer gathers the bridal party all together for pictures. We take a few big group shots, then it’s just the bridesmaids and Grace, then the groomsmen and Jensen. While the girls stand off to the side waiting for the guys to finish, Rylee comes up next to me and lets out a low humming sound.

“There are some fine men here,” she says with a grin, her eyes sparkling like she’s a kid in a candy store.

I chuckle and nod. “There sure are.”

She bumps her shoulder against mine and nods towards the large, dark haired man talking to Zander and standing to Jensen’s right. The resemblance between Jensen and him is uncanny, except for the fact that the guy is so huge he makes even Jensen look small.

“See him?” Rylee whispers. “Tyler? Jensen’s brother?”

“Uh-huh,” I reply. “It’s hard not to see him. Isn’t he a football player? Like a safety or something?”

“Linebacker. Anyway, I am going to climb that man like Everest,” she declares. “I finally dumped my cheating bastard of an ex, and you know what they say the best way to heal a broken heart is.”

“Um…no, I don’t.”

“A bigger and better dick.”

I let out a snort of laughter. “Well, a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do, I suppose.”

“Hell yes.”

Suddenly, I notice that Zander is gazing over at us…or, rather, scowling. Does he think we’re talking about him? I frown, but before I can say anything to Rylee about it, the photographer reclaims his attention.

Oh, well. Whatever.

Once the pictures are all done, we join the rest of the guests for food, drinks, and the dancing starts right away. Grace and Jensen sway together as the band plays a soft, romantic song, and I’m transfixed as I watch them. They’re so in love and so happy.

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