Page 68 of Begin Again
Sam smiles at me and I forget my worries and let myself melt a little. I’ve always wanted to have a guy look at me like that and now he is looking at me like that.
I feel myself smile back and that seems to be enough for him to feel like I’m okay. He gives me a nod and heads out the door. I fall back onto the pillows, wondering if my head and my heart will ever be able to let myself fully fall for Sam. I love him, but it’s still hard.
Tally went for casual beach wedding attire. I’m in my simple yellow sundress that I wore when Sam and I got married—the only dress I own—and I watch myself in the mirror as Tally’s grandmother curls my hair.
“I noticed that Sam hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of you,” Gran tells me. “You should give that boy a real chance. He loves you.”
If she only knew the half of it.
“Gran,” Tally calls from across the room. “No matchmaking!”
Gran rolls her eyes in the mirror and I smile as she catches my eye.
Holly is also wearing a simple green pastel sundress and her hair is pinned up. The boys will be in tan slacks and white shirts with pastel ties. I don’t know if I've ever seen Sam in a tie. He wore a nice T-shirt when we got married. He and I both don’t really do fancy things.
Before I know it, it’s time for the ceremony. The venue looks even better than when we saw it the other day. Holly and her fiancé Drew will walk down the aisle before Sam and I.
Tally is waiting inside the resort, so Noah and Sam approach me at the same time.
“You look like a million bucks,” I tell my brother. He’s in the same tan slacks as the groomsmen but his shirt has long sleeves.
“You too, Sis,” he gives me a hug and then looks at Sam. “Good thing Tally wanted to keep the wedding small and none of her cousins will be here. I’d have made one of them walk Annie down the aisle.”
Sam frowns. “Over my dead body would I have let another man touch my wife.”
My eyes go wide at his slip and I watch as Noah’s eyes narrow at him. “Your what?”
Sam glances at me. “My wife.”
My brother whirls to me. “You married him? Why would you do that? When did you do that? You’re both going to end up with broken hearts.”
“It’s a long story,” I tell Noah. “We can talk about it later. Right now, though, it’s your moment.”
Noah nods, once, jaw tight, but he turns to answer a question Tally’s dad has.
“I’m sorry,” Sam says. “That just kind of slipped out.”
“I know. It’s okay, it was going to come out at some point.” I put my hand on his hand. “You look nice too,” and when he turns to look at me, it’s like everyone else disappears and it’s just us.
He grins at me. “You're stunning.”
I hear my brother clear his throat, but neither of us look at him.
“Alright, how about we get this wedding started,” Noah says. I know he’s nervous, but the kind of nervous excited you feel before something good happens.
Sam lets go of my hands. “Let’s get you married, brother.” He claps Noah on the back.
Noah nods once before heading up the aisle. There are a handful of guests on the chairs set out, but most of us here are in the wedding party. Mom is making out with her boyfriend when I look at her so I look away. That's too weird and gross.
“I’m gonna need you to wear that dress for the rest of time,” Sam says as the music starts. I glance up at him.
“I’m pretty sure it won't last forever.”
“Well, for as long as it lasts then. Yellow is your color. You wore that when we got married and it about killed me.”
I go warm all over. “I like your tie.” I look up at Sam, he’s got his hair pulled up in a bun on the top of his head and his beard is trimmed and neat. He looks nice all dressed up. Maybe we should dress up more often.
He smiles. “I like that we match.”
