Page 127 of Sunflower Persona
“Yes, you idiot. We should do it tomorrow.”
“That’s not a lot of time to plan a wedding.”
“Who said anything about a wedding? I want to be your wife. Tomorrow. We can go by the courthouse during your lunchbreak and get the license, although I doubt they can get us in for an actual wedding on such short notice. I’ll call around to find an officiant, and we can do it here.”
“We aren’t getting marriedhere.” This place is still old and dingy, even with the added splash of Kori’s vibrance.
“Then where do you want to get married?”
The perfect idea springs to mind in an instant.
“I have an idea. Do you trust me?”
“More than anything.”
“Then I’ll handle everything. All you need to do is show up.”
“Will I need a white dress?”
“If you want to. Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. If that’s white, wear that, and if it’s a clown costume, you can wear that too.”
“I love you, Gage,” she says and presses a quick kiss against my lips.
“I love you too, Low. Now help me move this mattress so we can get date night going.”
“Yes, Coach,” she all but whispers.
Goddamnit, we aren’t going to watch anything if she keeps that up.
We move in tandem to set up our bed on the floor, and then she scrolls through the never-ending options to find the movie she wants to watch tonight. It doesn’t matter to me what she decides on, I’m not going to watch a second of it. While she’s searching, I make a new group chat with all of our friends and send out the SOS. If I’m going to pull this off, I’m going to need all their help.
Epilogue - Kori
Why did I think letting Gage handle everything was a good idea?
That’s right, he asked me if I trusted him, which I do, but knowing my man, he’s out there planning some grand gesture of a wedding when all I need ishim. He’s a romantic at heart but would balk if I ever called him on it.
He was practically vibrating when we met at the courthouse earlier. After we signed the paperwork, he slipped a ring on my finger, kissed me in a way that set my whole body on fire, and said he would see me tonight.
The ring is a foreign weight on my hand and a gesture I wasn’t expecting. Not that I’m complaining—it’s gorgeous with its bright-yellow stone set in a golden band. I have no idea where he got it, or how he managed to find something so perfect on such short notice…or how he knows my ring size, because that’s something we’ve never talked about before.
Maybe it’s best I don’t ask too many questions.
It’s been crickets since then—not only from him, but all our friends. I invited Evelyn over so we could freak out togetherabout the fact I’m getting married today, but she said she was busy and would try to stop by later. Shaunee and Jayla were busy too. I didn’t even try with Nathan. He’d be the first in line to help Gage with whatever plans he has them wrapped up in today. It wouldn’t be the first time my boyfriend—no, fiancé—got them all involved.
Fiancé.
I’m not going to have time to get used to the idea before it transitions to husband. Move over,90 Day Fiancé, you’ve got nothing on us.
Now all I can do is wait. It’s beyond agonizing. I wish he would have given me some details. Like a timeline…or overall vibes. Hell, I’d take skywriting with cryptic clues at this point. Anything but being left in the dark.
A soft knock on the front door breaks through the endless monotony, and butterflies spring to life, fluttering around with a mix of excitement and nerves.It’s time. I open the door and find Evelyn waiting, already dolled up in a baby-pink dress with her makeup artfully done.
The sight of my friend brings the sharp sting of her earlier refusal to the surface with an edge of resentment. I didn’t realize how much it affected me until now. It would have been nice to have at least one friend with me through this, even though I know they are all working on somethingforme.
“I thought you were busy,” I accuse.
She ignores my attitude and pulls me in for a hug with an excited squeal.
