Page 141 of You Kissed Me First

That’s all I can think as she walks my way wearing that beautiful baby-blue dress. Her eyes are wary, but she has a small smile on her face.

“Hey, Dom. You ready to get these two married?” Her tone is soft, almost a whisper.

My heart is racing. She said Dom, not Dominic. That makes me feel like we haven’t lost everything we worked for on the cruise.

“You look beautiful, baby doll.”

Her smile grows.

“Alright, it’s time to walk. Remember to be counting in your heads. Do not walk too fast,” the wedding coordinator calls out.

Then the music starts.

I hold my arm out to her. When she slips her hand around it, I feel the electricity between us. This isn’t over for us. Not by a long shot.

When it’s our turn, we walk down the aisle slowly. I’m counting on her to keep us on pace because all I can do is think about how I don’t want to let her go.

At the end of the aisle before we part, I lean in, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Most of the other couples kissed on the lips, but I felt like that might have been too much for us.

When I pull back, her eyes are shining with tears. I curse to myself but step back to find my place next to my best friend.

“You ready for this?” I ask him, my eyes still on Katie.

“Today I’m marrying the love of my life. I couldn’t be more ready if I tried,” Grant murmurs.

When the wedding march starts, everyone stands. Then the doors open to reveal Nessa and her father. She looks pretty in her wedding gown, but she has nothing on her sister.

Glancing over, I see Katie holding a tissue to her eyes as she cries.

Then I notice Grant’s shoulders shaking as he wipes at his face.

My best friend is bawling as he watches his woman walk down the aisle toward him.

If it were Katie, you would be crying too.

The thought filters through my mind, but I know it’s true. I would.

Pulling a tissue from my pocket, I slip it into Grant’s hand. He startles a moment before he takes it, whispering a thank you without taking his eyes from his bride.

For a moment, I meet my mom’s eyes in the audience. She gives me a nod. She knew he would need it when she shoved them in my pocket earlier.

The ceremony isn’t a long one. By the time they kiss at the end, there aren’t many dry eyes in the house. It’s a beautiful wedding. You can tell how much Grant and Nessa truly love each other.

As they exit, I move up to take Katie’s arm again.

“That was perfect,” Katie murmurs through tears.

I reach up, folding my free hand over hers where it sits on my arm. “It was.”

“I know we need to talk, but can we do it later?” she whispers as we exit the chapel.

“Of course. Do you need a ride to the reception?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Abby asked if I would ride with her. Maybe you could give Alan a ride. I think she needs some girl time.”

“Sure. Anything you need.”

Then I watch as she walks away.

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