Page 109 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
The last text is from just two minutes ago.
BRADY: I love you, Natalie Slater!
“Ha!” I suck in a breath. “When did you do that?”
He tilts his head. “I’m a man of many talents.”
My eyes dip to his lips. “Well, youarean excellent kisser. If this author thing doesn’t work out—”
“Hey.” He stops my talking with his mouth.
Epilogue
BRADY
I’m standing on the right side of the altar in the Abieville Church. On Church Street. Instead of a monochromatic tuxedo, I went with black pants and a white dinner jacket. You know. Just to be different. Up here next to me are some of the absolute best men on the planet. They’re not just family. Or friends. They’re both. You know who they are.
A lot has changed since the last wedding I attended. For one thing, I don’t smell as smokey. For another, I’m a full-blown author. After releasing my first three books within three months, the series is selling pretty well. Nella and Lettie are helping out with my social media. People seem invested in B.R. Graham’s mysteries. Who knew a small-town vet solving murders would be a big draw? Lucky me.
“How are you holding up?” Beau asks under his breath. “You’re not gonna run out on my sister, are you?”
“Not on your life,” I say.
“Good. I don’t want you to have to solve your own murder in your next book.”
I smirk. “And you don’t want to go to jail before Kasey has the baby.”
Not long after they got back from Bora Bora, Kasey and Beau moved to Chicago, which—besides being a cool city—is also a regular layover between LA and Albany. While making that connection, I saw them a few times. But I’ll be cutting back now that Nat’s moving home. And by home, I mean here. To Abieville.
Speaking of things that haven’t changed.
The love I have for this place is stronger than ever, as is my love for the woman behind those double doors back there. I can’t wait to see her. But we need to get these bridesmaids down the aisle first. They’re not just friends. Or family. They’re both.
You know who they are.
While they come down the aisle, one at a time, the organist really gives it her all. And let me tell you, if you’ve never heard *NSYNC played on an organ, you’re really missing out. But it had to be done. “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You” was never more appropriate than it is for my bride.
Down the row of groomsmen, Ford and Three start twittering above the music. “One step… two steps… breathe and waltz.” I bite back a laugh at their imitation of my mother. They’re the comic relief I didn’t know I needed.
That’s when my mother starts waving a hanky at me. She’s up front with Aunt Remy and Big Mama. Mrs. Slater and my dad are in the front pew too. Unlike Beau and Kasey, we let Olivia be the wedding coordinator (much to my mother’s dismay). But Liv is so good at events, and also not shy about promoting herself.
Speaking of which, Drake Hawkins is here too.
No one was more surprised than I was when Hawk volunteered to take the reins as our wedding photographer. He said Beau should be able to relax and enjoy himself as my best man and the brother of the bride. As it turns out, Hawk’s not such a bad guy after all. Or maybe hewas, and he just got better. We’re all allowed to change, right? Either way, Olivia’s interest in him must have run its course.
She’s actually been hanging around Mac and Hudson a lot this week. But I’ve been too preoccupied by the marital proceedings to ask them why. The only thing I want to hear in this moment are the words, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Natalie Slater’s about to become Natalie Graham. I sure do like the sound of that.
When a baby starts wailing in the back of the church, Mac leans around Beau and cringes. “Hey. Sorry, man.”
“Don’t apologize,” I say, grinning at him. “I plan to have a bunch of those myself someday.”
Beau shoots me a mock frown. “Please keep those plans and bunches to yourself.”
It’s worth mentioning that the church is packed. And I’m not surprised, but I can’t help smiling at the fact that not all that long ago, I was listening to Natalie tell me she felt like she never belonged here. Oh, she belongs here all right. And then some. That night at the clinic changed my life.
Shechanged my life.
