Page 74 of Getting the Grinder
I don’t have to ask to know what she means. Us. This. The drastic difference between our feelings for each other this Christmas and last Christmas.
“I think it was inevitable, we just took our time getting here,” I say, kissing her.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
* * *
Mara
* * *
Bash and Lainey are getting married in paradise. The archway behind the officiant is covered with purple and white flowers, the ocean a sparkling backdrop.
They wanted to get married at sunset, so the setting of the sun could represent the end of their separate lives and the start of their new one together as a married couple.
A year ago, I would have secretly cackled about that being cheesy. But since I fell hopelessly in love with Leo, I get it. We’re borderline ridiculous sometimes. We rub noses when we’re alone and no one can make fun of us. He leaves love notes taped to my steering wheel when he has to leave before sunrise for road trips. I sleep in his t-shirts because they smell like him.
“If I can’t have a Pretty in Pink theme, at least I still get to be pretty,” Dex says, admiring his reflection in the mirror.
I roll my eyes at him, smiling. The rest of the bridal party overruled him on Pretty in Pink, because purple is Lainey’s color and it’s her wedding. The maid of honor, Lily, is wearing a pale-lavender dress with a halter neck. Suki and I are both wearing the same style of dress in the sleeveless version. Harry and Dex are wearing white tuxes with purple bow ties that match the dresses.
“Who’s out there now?” Lainey asks, a line of worry between her brows.
I smooth out the line with my fingertip while Dex peeks around the corner from where the bridal party is waiting out of sight from the handful of guests.
“No fretting on your wedding day,” I say.
“I don’t want to be sweating in the photos,” she says. “Let’s fucking go.”
She’s just nervous, like any bride would be. But Suki has planned this day down to the smallest detail, and Lainey is a radiant bride. Her bright-red hair is smooth and straight, a crown of tropical flowers sitting on top. Her dress is flowy and white, with a cinched waist and a plunging neckline. The vibe is island princess, and it’s perfection.
“The groomsmen are out there,” Dex says. “My lord, Mara, I’m jealous of the railings you get from that absolute unit of a man. He’s wearing the fuck out of that tux.”
“Focus, Dex!” Lainey barks.
“Okay ... there’s Bash, he’s there with the groomsmen. He’s drinking from a flask.”
“What?”
“Kidding. That would be funny, though. The officiant is up there. Should I signal your dad?”
She takes a deep breath in and blows it out. “Yes. I’m ready.”
She turns to her friend Lily. “Does my face look sweaty?”
“It’s perfect. You are a stunning bride.”
“Thank you.”
Lainey’s dad comes and says a few words to her that make them both teary, and then the music starts up. That’s our cue to walk down the aisle and take our places.
Olivia, Charlotte, and Hallie are all flower girls. Hallie goes first, the guests smiling when they see her in her frilly lavender dress. She was adamant that her dress be “fancy.” She drops her white petals onto the sandy beach as she walks, running out before she’s halfway down the aisle.
“Look at her, trying to look like she planned it that way,” Suki cracks.
Charlotte goes next, followed by Olivia. Then it’s Harry’s turn.
