Page 171 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
TEN MONTHS LATER
For once, our timing is perfect. It’s the golden hour, just before the sun sets. Behind me, the lake shimmers in the evening sun and reflects off the crystals of a chandelier hanging from the branch of an oak tree.
“What A Wonderful World” pipes from the speakers as Fable appears from behind the trees. Like a little fairy princess just stepped out of a storybook in a crown of flowers and a dress that would put Cinderella to shame.
She’s taken three steps when she decides to turn around and run in the opposite direction. Zane takes off after her and grabs her by the hand, dragging her along with him.
“Slow down,” Kate says in a stage whisper. He ignores her and charges up the aisle with Fable in tow. As soon as he lets go of her hand, she turns around and runs right into Jesse’s arms. But the fun’s not over yet.
A light breeze lifts the red rose petals off the ground and scatters them across the lawn.
Gracie breaks rank and starts scooping them up in her hands. “The aisle’s getting ruined,” she huffs.
“Just leave it.” Levi yanks her arm and drags her up the ‘aisle’ to where I’m standing.
The whole process is taking longer than I anticipated, and minutes feel like hours.
There are about a million and one kids and family members in the wedding party, so it’s a never-ending procession.
I crane my neck, looking over Quinn and Noah’s heads. Trying to get a glimpse of my bride. I’m shit out of luck. She’s probably hiding behind the giant oak, watching me sweat.
But when Wren walks up the aisle on my brother’s arm, I can’t help but smile. My Little Bird stops in front of me and gives me a punch on the arm, then issues a warning. “Be good to my sister, or I’ll hunt you down and hurt you.”
I burst out laughing, earning a glare before she takes her spot next to Quinn. Big surprise that Wren is a ballbuster. She takes after her big sister.
When Shiloh’s version of “I Walk the Line” plays from the speakers, the laughter dies on my lips. Two hundred heads swivel to watch the bride, cameras poised to capture every moment.
I don’t notice any of it because all I see isher.
Red lips tempt me. Green eyes blaze through me like a forest fire.
There’s a natural flush to her cheeks that I put there twenty minutes ago when I barged into the bedroom and kicked everyone out to claim my future wife.
But this is the first time I’ve seen the dress.
Ivory lace hugs all her curves, leaving her shoulders bare, and the skirt of the dress trails behind her as she walks toward me with a bouquet of red wildflowers in her hands. Her eyes are locked on mine.
Evie, the temptress. Raven-black waves frame her perfect face and fall around her shoulders, wild and untamed, just the way I like it.
And I don’t even wait until she reaches me. When you know what you want and who you want to be with for the rest of your life, you want forever to start right the fuck now.
So, I stride down the aisle and pull her into my arms.
“You’re cheating,” she says with a little smile.
“I’ve never been good at following the rules.” I kiss her lips, and she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me back, breaking all the rules.
Reluctantly, I release her to stop myself from throwing her down on the carpet of rose petals and mauling her right in front of our family and friends.
Everyone cheers as I grab her hand and usher her to the officiant waiting under an elaborate floral arch. He shakes his head but smiles and begins the ceremony.
I say my vows as the sun starts to dip into the horizon, painting the sky pink and orange. When it’s her turn, she tips up her chin, her voice strong and unwavering. Tears glitter in her eyes, but I know by her smile they’re happy tears. It makes me feel ten feet tall knowing I put that smile on her face.
I want all her smiles and all her laughter. Her tears and heartache and all her broken pieces. I want every single little part of her.
I love her wild and fierce.
I love her exactly as she is. Tough and strong. Vulnerable. Infuriatingly stubborn.
