Page 86 of Tell Me Again
Kendall laughed. “You three just saw me a few minutes ago.”
“It’s different with the veil,” Chloe whispered and stepped forward to adjust the delicate lace pinned to the back of Kendall’s head. Her hair was done up in a sophisticated knot at the nape of her neck with gentle tendrils curling on either side of her face. The dress fit perfectly and made her seem like a mix of an angel and a sexy screen siren.
When Sam had first met Kendall, the spunky journalist was wound tight as a drum. Falling in love had given Kendall a sense of contentment that was obvious from the joy on her face.
“You’re a bride,” Sam whispered.
“You’re marrying my best friend.” Even Jenny was astonished. She swiped under her eyes. “And now you’re my best friend, too.”
“I love you girls,” Kendall murmured.
Her father clapped his hands. “You ladies are pretty but a little too sappy right now.” He squeezed Kendall’s fingers. “You have a great guy waitin’ for you, baby girl. Are you going to stand here yappin’ all afternoon with your girlfriends?”
“No, Daddy,” Kendall said, and gave her father a hug. “I’m going to get married.”
“Let’s get on with it then.”
The string quartet began to play Pachelbel’s Canon in D as Chloe, Sam, and Jenny made their way up the aisle. Grace gave Sam a little wave as she walked by the row where her niece sat with Trevor. As Sam met his gaze, one side of his mouth curved up and her heart stuttered in response.
How could something be wonderful and terrifying at the same time? That’s how she felt about falling in love. He’d told her he wanted more, right? Love was definitely more.
She took her place between Chloe and Jenny in front of the arbor as Kendall and her dad appeared at the end of the aisle. Sam watched Ty, who was grinning from ear to ear as his bride approached. Her breath caught in her throat at the expression on his face, so much love and adoration written across his features. She’d only been to a few weddings but had made the habit of studying the groom as the bride joined him for the ceremony. She could tell a lot from those few minutes, and it was clear that Ty Bishop was head over heels for the woman who was about to become his wife.
The ceremony was beautiful, with Kendall and Ty reciting vows they’d each written for the other. Sam’s insistence that she didn’t cry long forgotten, she was glad when Chloe discreetly passed her a tissue.
The newly married couple shared a tender kiss when the minister pronounced them husband and wife. At that moment it felt like the new Mr.and Mrs.Bishop were in a world of their own. Then the cheers started, and the guests followed the wedding party toward the flagstone patio behind the main cabin, where Ben’s staff had champagne and hors d’oeuvres waiting.
Sam stood at the edge of the patio greeting friends of Kendall’s until Trevor and Grace found her.
Grace gave her a quick hug and Sam resisted the urge to hold the girl to her side. “You didn’t even ugly cry,” Grace said with a sassy smile.
“I’m not much of a crier,” she protested weakly.
“You keep telling yourself that,” Grace answered. “Dad, can I go hang out with Claire and Cooper?”
“Sure,” he answered, and Grace moved to join the group of kids at one of the high tables set up around the patio.
Sam narrowed her eyes at the way Trevor was grinning at her. “I don’t cry.”
“Preaching to the choir,” he said, but reached out with his thumb and wiped at the edge of her eye. “Just a little mascara running for no reason.”
She swatted at his hand, but his grin only widened.
“Come here, Tough Girl,” he whispered and pulled her closer, dropping a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“What about Grace?”
“She’s ok with you and me.”
“What if I’m not ok with it? We had a deal about keeping things casual and on the down low. I’m not—”
“Trust me,” he said and tugged a little harder. “You’ll get there.”
She sighed as his arms wrapped around her waist, and rested her head on his shoulder. “I think I’m already way past there,” she murmured.
“Me, too, honey.” His fingers traced small circles on the center of her back, soothing her and, at the same time, making her body hum with awareness. “You’ve got me turned inside out and tied up in knots on top of it.”
He leaned closer so that his lips grazed the edge of her jaw. “I think about you all the time. Iwantyou all the time. I can’t believe you weren’t a part of my life all these years, Sam. I can’t believe I ever let you go. I won’t make that mistake again.”
