Page 187 of Headstrong Like Us
I inhale a stronger breath, my heartbeat beating double-timed. My head feels too light. Floating off my body.
I glance at my dad. Wondering if I will fucking pass out.
He gives me a sharp look and whispers, “Breathe, Moffy.”
Breathe.Didn’t think of that.
I take another breath and then I see him again. He’s kissing Ripley on the head, my mom carrying our son on her hip.
Farrow smiles at me while he gives my mom a hug.
“Moffy.” My dad’s voice pulls me, and he wraps an arm around my shoulder. I hug him tight, and before I can tell him I love him, he whispers, “You’ve made me so goddamnproudto call you my son.”
Jesus. Emotion swells up, closing my throat. All I can do is nod.
He strolls over to his first-row seat next to my mom. She blots fingers at her watery eyes, and my Aunt Daisy passes a pack of tissues.
Oscar leaves the groomsmen line and waits underneath the arch.
He’s officiating.
And I walk closer to the groom.
Farrow walks closer to me, his jet-black hair blowing in the warm coastal breeze. His eyebrow piercing rises as he gives methatlook. You know the one.
He’s the most beautiful sight in Capri, on this island. In every universe.
We finally close the distance, meeting in the middle, and we breathe in together. The same time I reach for his hand, he clasps my palm.
His tattooed fingers slide along my knuckles. Transfixing me. I watch his thumb run over the black tungsten band, still on my finger.
“Maximoff,” Farrow whispers, and I glance up. His eyes are already reddened, on the cusp of emotion that burrows deep inside me. His mouth curves up. “You okay?”
I lick my lips, feeling my smile. “Yeah. You?”
He smiles more. “Yeah—” Lightning cracks the sky. Guests take their seats and murmur, everyone studying the clouds.
And then, rain falls.
Farrow and I share a smile as we’re doused with water, even as people shriek and Jane calls out, “Umbrellas are under the chairs!”
We pull each other closer, my chest brushing his chest. Rainwater drenches his hair, beads down his jaw, and kisses his smile.
Thunder booms, and Farrow laughs into this overwhelmed expression, “Looks like you made an appearance after me.”
The thunder, I realize.He’s bringing up what I said to him at the car crash.
I swallow, my heart filling and eyes welling. The storm washes tears that slip down my cheeks.
“Redford, you want an umbrella?!” Oscar shouts over another flash of lightning.
Farrow never looks away from me. “No, I’m good.”
My chest swells.
“Maximoff?” Oscar asks.
“I’m good too.”
