Page 69 of Begin Again
“It’s a wedding, of course we match,” I whisper to him as Holly and Drew start up the aisle. We’re right behind them.
“Well, I like it,” he says. “We should get matching swimsuits for next year.”
I nearly roll my eyes, but we’re up and all eyes are on us. He holds out his arm and I slide my arm in his. “And we’ll have to get us some rings.”
My chest tightens slightly at the thought of this being a real marriage, but then I remember my promise to myself this morning. I can lose myself to this fantasy for a little longer. At least while we’re here.
So I smile up at him. “Of course.” But I won’t let myself think too much about the future, that always leads to heartache. I can’t put all of my problems on him.
At the end of the aisle, he reluctantly lets go of me, giving me a smile as we walk to either side of Noah.
Watching Tally’s father lead her up the aisle doesn’t give me the ache in my chest that I often get when I’m at weddings. Maybe it’s because I’m already married and our ceremony was uncomplicated and to help Sam get insurance. I didn’t have to worry about my dad not being there. I watch my brother as he takes Tally’s hands, and his entire face is lit up. He’s been hoping for this day for so many years.
I glance up behind him and find Sam watching me. I love the way he looks at me, as if there isn’t anything or anyone else he’d rather be looking at. The view of the ocean is incredible from where we’re standing and his best friend is getting married, and here he is, looking at me.
I feel the pull to glance away, but I fight it and hold his gaze. When Sam smiles at me, it’s not a smirk or like he’s got some secret intention that he’s thinking about later. He’s smiling at me like he really feels as though he’s the luckiest man in the world to have me looking back at him.
It’s that look that makes me know I'm a complete goner.
I’m in love with Sam Holland and I have been for a very long time. It’s time to stop denying it and let myself completely fall.
36
ANNIE
After the ceremony, Noah catches my eye and I know it’s time. Sam follows me over to where my brother is standing.
“I hope he doesn’t think we were trying to upstage his wedding day,” I tell Sam.
“He won’t, he’s a hopeless romantic. Hopefully, we can explain everything to him and he’ll just be happy for us,” he says as he places his hand on the small of my back. “We never wanted to outshine his day. I can explain since he only knows right now because of me. It’s going to be fine.”
“I can talk. He’s more mad that I’m going to break your heart than anything and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I mean, I guess I’m happy he’s not trying to defend my honor or something, but it seems like he cares more about your feelings than mine.”
We make it to Noah before Sam has a chance to reply.
“When did the two of you start dating?” Noah asks without saying hello. His arms are folded across his chest and his jaw is set. He looks like he’s about to go to battle.
“Um,” I say, unsure of how exactly to answer that. Dating? We kind of only started that this trip, but the answer could alsobe months ago or years ago. It’s always been Sam, I just didn’t realize it until recently.
“Technically,” Sam says, answering for me. “Two days ago.”
Noah’s look is murderous. “And you had a shotgun wedding last night?”
“No,” I say calmly. “We got married a year ago in New York.”
“You what?” Noah asks, as if this explanation is worse than the two of us getting married last night or two days ago.
There’s no easy way to say any of this. Noah has always been a straight laced kind of guy. Everything is black and white to him, which I get. But nothing about mine and Sam’s marriage is black and white.
“Was it because of....” he starts to ask but Sam holds up a hand.
“You don't have to say his name, and no. It was because of my back.”
Noah looks confused.
I jump in to explain. “Sam needed surgery, but he didn't have any health insurance so we got married because my insurance at the restaurant was fantastic.”
“So you committed insurance fraud?” Noah's eyes grow wide.
