Page 152 of Fall I Want
“Yep,” she tells me. One ghost down.
Cameras snap and my eyes lock on Autumn. She turns her head as I pass, sitting up taller. I mouth “I love you,” and she mouths it back. I move up to the raised stage and stand beside my father.Moments later, Silvia comes into focus with Nicolas escorting her. He looks like utter shit.
I glance at Harper and we hold a silent conversation before focusing on my father. My heart warms, seeing a happiness he hasn’t had in twenty-four years.
The thought takes over and I search for Autumn in the crowded chapel. She’s watching me with kind eyes and a smile that lights the whole fucking room. A grin touches my lips.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here on this beautiful evening. It feels like we were all doing this together not too long ago,” the pastor says, grinning. I nod, glancing at Autumn, and she winks at me. If anyone in the room didn’t know I was married, they do now.
My father and Silvia stand in front of one another, repeating their vows of love and forever. There are smiles and tears. Throughout the ceremony, I steal glances at Autumn, who hasn’t taken her attention away from me. Soon, I’m passing over Silvia’s ring to him, and they seal their promises with a kiss. I’ve managed to narrowly avoid falling under the spell of my beautiful wife and payjustenough attention to the ceremony to fulfill my role.
The room erupts into applause as the photographer snaps photographs. Once my father and his bride have exited the room, I move toward Miranda and escort her out.
“It was nice seeing you,” Miranda says.
“Same.”
The pastor speaks over the microphone. “The happy couple invites you to celebrate in the main ballroom.”
I glance at my sister, who shakes her head.
“You know what’s going to happen tonight.” It isn’t a question.
“So what?” She grins, pulling a flask from the pocket of her dress. “Trust me when I say you’ll need more tequila soon.”
“Shit, probably.” I take it from her, swigging it back.
A chuckle escapes her and Autumn’s arm wraps around me. I kiss her hair as she smiles up at me.
“I’m ready for cake,” Harper says. Autumn takes the flask, swallowing down two gulps.
She does a little wiggle. “Tequila?”
“Dangerous,” I whisper, thinking back to the last time we drank together. I wanted to cross the line so many damn times.
The thought makes me smile. She notices.
“What?” Autumn whispers, chuckling.
“Reminiscing.”
We enter the dimly lit reception area. Silk hangs from the ceiling and a live band has set up in the corner. In the middle of the room is an ice sculpture of a heart. Autumn’s eyes widen as we walk past it, moving toward the open bar.
“What would you like?”
“Vodka and cranberry,” she says.
“Tequila, dressed.”
Autumn leans forward. “I’ll take the same. Plus my other, thanks.” She turns to me as the bartender makes our drinks. “Do you plan on fucking around and finding out tonight?”
“Hell yes,” I whisper, and she snuggles against me.
“Here ya go,” the guy says.
I place a tip in the jar and Autumn and I move out of the way to a high cocktail table. She lifts the tequila. “To us.”
“Forever.”
