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He’s clearly very attracted to me, enough to make me his secret girlfriend.

A secret girlfriend that Iknowhe wishes he could share with the world.

Maybe we’ll get to that point one day, but for now, I’m excited for us to just be together.

Nobody has ever wanted me the way Cole does.

And I have never felt more fucking confident in my own skin.

twenty-nine

Cole

I haven’t been tomany weddings in my life, but I know I’ve never seen one this ornate, elegant, and… Christmas-y.

Both Josh and Ella love Christmas. That’s why they’re getting married today—it’s not just the offseason; it’s also the season when they met, and their favorite holiday is only days away. And this year, they’ll be spending it as newlyweds in Bora Bora.

Even their wedding decor has a festive feel. Behind the officiant is a wall of white string lights with garland strung along the top. The aisle is set with a red runner, poinsettias, and candles. The roof is strung with even more white string lights laid over top of billowy, white fabric.

It’s honestly beautiful.

And verythem.

It feels like we’re dressed for the holiday occasion as well. Josh is in standard black, but Lane, Knox, and I are in deep green three-piece suits.

Josh has never been more at ease than he was this morning. We expected him to be nervous—pre-wedding jitters are a normal feeling even when you aren’t actually worried. But he’sbeen nothing but smiles today, telling us repeatedly how he can’t wait to finally marry Ella.

And for the first time since I met him, I’mnotenvious.

I finally have my girl.

I haven’t said anything to the guys yet since Rory and I agreed we wouldn’t, but when I went from a sulking drunk at the bachelor party to a rowdy and joyous motherfucker this morning, I’d be shocked if any of them were surprised when they find out tomorrow.

Now that the guests have all found their seats, we’re standing at the front of the room, Central Park visible through the large, glass windows. There’s a light snow on the ground with more flurrying through the air, creating a winter wonderland outside.

Josh and Lane are talking to the officiant right now as we wait for the ceremony to begin. Since that leaves us both unoccupied, Knox leans closer to me.

“You seem pretty damn happy today, Pierce,” he says.

“Just in a good mood,” I reply, keeping my face forward to avoid giving myself away.

Knox lowers his voice. “I’m guessing you listened to Lo last night and had a nicetalkwith Rory.”

“The decorations are nice, aren’t they?” I deflect as I feel heat creep across my cheeks. The altar of our friend’s wedding isnotthe place I’m going to talk about having sex with my girlfriend last night.

Knox’s laughter is silenced by music, signaling the start of the ceremony.

Once the moms are ushered to their seats at the front, Sage dashes to the center of the open doorway, dark red tulle on the skirt of her flower girl dress flowing behind her. There’s a small chorus of laughter from our friends still behind the wall before Harlow gets into her position behind Sage, slowly helping herdown the aisle as she tosses clumps of red rose petals on the floor.

I can hear Knox let out an uneven breath behind me. “God, I’m so fucking lucky,” he whispers, barely loud enough for me to hear.

I can’t help but smile. Harlow found a man who worships the ground she walks on, and she deserves absolutely nothing less. Did I think she’d find that with one of my best friends? No, but I wouldn’t change that. They’re both stupidly happy together.

When Lo and Sage are about halfway down the aisle, Rory appears in the entryway as she starts her way forward.

Andfuck me, she’s beautiful.

Her curly hair is set in a bun at the nape of her neck, with a few loose strands framing her face. The deep red dress she’s wearing hugs her curves, and the high slit shows her leg as she walks.

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