Page 68 of Margo and the Faux Good Luck Beau
“He said that you’re his good luck charm. Aren’t you two the cutest?”
Turning to Juniper, a little squeal of excitement that’s been building all day escapes. We jump up and down like only two best friends can.
When she catches her breath, Juniper asks, “Are you nervous?”
“About the ceremony? I’m fluttery with excitement. The reception? It’s all planned out in fine detail to run smoothly. My family? Well, I couldn’tnotinvite them so we shall see if they behave themselves or?—”
I’ve run through every worst-case scenario and pray for divine intervention if necessary.
Once we’re all ready, we take a car service to the church. There are numerous people I don’t recognize who must be Beau’s family and friends from afar. Members of both the Ward and Cabot clans fill the stone steps in the front and they slowly filter inside. It’s not as big a turnout as Maxine and Marlon’s wedding because of the long-distance travel and short notice, but I’m sure there’s someone here with a secret camera, waitingfor hashtag wedding fail moments, bloopers, or—I spot Celeste staring me down—to uncover a big fat farce.
Thankfully, this is real. What Beau and I have is true. No more back and forth, doubts, insecurities, or secrets. We’re in it ... forever.
We go inside the church which smells like wood polish and candle wax. The musicians tune their instruments. My heart pounds erratically and then someone clasps my hand. I whirl around, preparing for Great Aunt Margaret or Uncle Harlan to warn me about something, but the hand is bigger, the palm covered in calluses. Beau pulls me into an empty hallway.
Taking me into his arms, he whispers, “You look radiant. Beautiful. Gorgeous. I walked into this backward, Margo, but it turns out I’m the luckiest man alive. You are amazing and lovable. When I told your mother and sister that I was going to adore, serve, and love you for the rest of our lives, I didn’t realize how true those words were. But they are. We are. I want you to know that I very much want to do this with you for real.”
Apparently, he has a lot to say on this matter.
Whereas Beau is usually the quiet one, I’m rendered speechless. I know I’m marrying a handsome man, but my almost-husband is a stud dressed in his tuxedo, with his hair trimmed, his face freshly shaved, and his eyes bright.
My jaw lowers. “Wow. You shaved.”
He rubs his hand on his jaw. “I did. Is it okay?”
“Beau Hammer, it is more than okay.” I kiss him on the cheek.
His eyes float up and down my face. “I saw you come in and couldn’t resist,” he whispers.
“Isn’t it bad luck for us to see each other before the ceremony?”
“We have our own luck. It’s perfect luck. I saw you and didn’t want to wait.”
“Wait for what?”
He leans in, kissing me. I inhale his crisp northern air and wheat-dried-in-the-sun scent. With him, my breath comes easy. No deep water. No desire to run. No bicycle in sight. At last, the triathlon is over.
When we part, I say, “We’re doing things out of order.” Then, thinking about how he’d carefully ordered his life, I wonder maybe if this is a good thing.
“We have our own rules.”
“Are we really doing this?” I ask even though I’m certain of the answer.
He waggles his eyebrows. “It looks that way.”
“There’s just one thing.” I clear my throat.
His features remain schooled, but his eyes flash as if anticipating the opposite of what I’m about to say.
“Something I haven’t told you.” I clasp the back of his neck and plant my hand on his chest. “Beau, before we exchange our vows, I want you to know that I love you.”
As if it hadn’t stopped, the kiss resumes and this time when we part, he says, “I don’t know much about love. Where it comes from. How it develops. What happens when it does? But I do know a thing or two about secrets. I won’t keep anything from you after this. I have one more to tell you. I love you too, Margo.”
My heart could sing. Though, maybe I’ll leave that to him.
Beau goes on, “I’m going to tell you that I love you every day for the rest of our lives. More importantly, I’m going to show you.”
We exchange one more kiss on the lips.
