Page 33 of Why Not Forever?

I pick it up from where I set it with my bouquet.

“Perfect,” she says. “This was adorable, by the way,” she tells Tanner. “I want to get a couple with it in the picture.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because it’s adorable,” she says. “I just said that.”

She moves us around as though we’re puppets and she’s the puppet master, turning us this way and that until we’re between her and the ocean, facing each other, and I’m holding the paper heart in my hand at my side.

“What do you want us to do?” I ask.

“Stand there and talk to each other. Completely ignore me. But actually, Vic, take half a step closer to Tanner. Tanner, put your far arm around Vic’s waist.”

We do as she says, so we’re basically hugging, and I have to look up at him. He’s not a lot taller than me in the heels, but I’d taken them off while we’re in the sand. I swallow because we’re so close together I could easily raise my lips to steal another kiss. I don’t, but I consider it. Instead, I drop my gaze to his tie, noticing the pattern I hadn’t seen earlier.

“Are there hearts on your tie?” I ask.

“Yes,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

It’s a black tie, with a darker black pattern of little hearts all over it.

“Where did you find something like this?”

He shrugs. “I’ve had this one for a while. It’s the one I wear on Valentine’s Day. I thought it was appropriate for today. By the way, you weren’t lying about your dress being unconventional.”

“You said it was perfect,” I remind him.

“It is. An unconventional wedding needs an unconventional dress. Besides, you’re breathtaking.”

A smile creeps up at his compliment. “You look pretty good, as well, you know. Did you have this suit for a while, too, or is it new?”

“Oh, I just dusted it off and chucked it on. Nothing special.”

My smile widens. “Nothing special, huh?”

“Nope.”

“I think you’re lying,” I say.

He leans down, making my breath catch as he whispers in my ear. “You’re right. I am lying. Except for the tie and pocket square, it’s brand new. Figured you were getting a new dress, I should get a new suit.”

“That’s it,” Ava calls. “Excellent. We can all go eat now.”

I inhale sharply. I’d forgotten she was here. That all my friends are here. I take a step away from Tanner and he lets me go.

I stare at the sand for a moment, gathering my composure, before looking up and following everyone back to the venue. Tanner stays by my side.

“We should probably hold hands to walk in,” he says, adjusting his glasses.

I hold out my hand instead of responding and we wait for a moment for the emcee to announce us.

“It is my pleasure,” I hear from inside the building, “to introduce, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus.”

“That’s us,” Tanner says and we walk in together to cheering.

It’s somewhat surreal to be introduced that way. I’d never considered, in all my thirty-two years, of changing my last name. Had, in fact, intended toneverchange my last name. But here I am. Victoria Marcus.

I have to say, I kind of like how it sounds.

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