Page 62 of What About Us
Her being there for my wedding to Tristen, when I was so sick to my stomach that she found me saltines and Gatorade. Or when she filled in for three different women at Timber Haus during her holiday off last year, just so that I wasn’t shorthanded. How she mothered Paige and calmed her fears when we got her diabetes diagnosis.
I zone back in on Hutch’s words when she gently squeezes my fingers. Her eyes search mine and she gives me a little smile.
“Much like the wedding ring, this symbol can represent the promise and potential of a union. It also has no beginning and no end. As you think of this symbol, let it be a reminder to each of you of the love and commitment you made to each other today.”
Surely, he’s finished.
“True marriage is more than just a ceremony,” Hutch says, glancing back and forth between Finn and me. “It’s a bond that will last between two people, joining their two lives. May you always find compassion, trust, companionship, and hope in one another, through good times and bad.”
Finn and I wait, watching him expectantly.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Montana, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife,” Hutch announces.
Allie and Skye both let out matching whoops, making Finn and I laugh. Hutch joins in and Oakley lets out a loud bark, his tail wagging wildly.
Finn and I stare at one another, wide smiles on our faces, before Hutch lifts his hands in a sweeping motion toward the two of us. “You two gonna kiss, or what?” He smirks.
“Oh, uh, right,” I stutter.
Finn’s eyes land back on mine, and there’s not a bit of nervousness there. She looks happy and flushed and beautiful. And, God, she looks like mine. I gently tug her by the hand.
“Lay one on me,husband,” she teases. Then, she grabs hold of my tie and playfully yanks me forward, with a quiet giggle.
God, that sounds amazing.
I hesitate for a split second before I think,fuck it.
Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. She seems startled at first, maybe not expecting me to actually do more than give her a quick peck on the lips. But once my lips are on hers, nothing on this fucking planet would keep me from taking what I want.
As I gently slide my tongue along her bottom lip, she lets out a little gasp and opens for me. Her hands bury in the hair at the nape of my neck. I swipe my tongue along hers once, twice, and then nip at her bottom lip. The kiss only lasts a second or two, and I vaguely hear a high-pitched whistle from my brother and giggling coming from Allie and Skye.
When we finally pull apart, we’re both panting a little, eyes glassy. Finn runs her knuckles across her lips, which tip up in a soft smile as she looks at me.
We did it. Wereallyfucking did it. And I can’t hold back the smile that splits my face.
Chapter 20
Finnley
I’ve been married forjust over twenty-four hours. My mind has been on the ceremony all day. Every little detail, from the necklace Hudson gave me, to the way his tie and vest matched my dress. The hazel of his eyes as he watched me, the feel of his strong fingers gripping mine through the whole thing, the flowers, and the little bow tie around Oakley’s neck.
But I’ve especially thought about that kiss. Holy hell, how have I forgotten my best friend can make me feel like that? Correction, myhusband. And I’m secretly, suddenly obsessed with finding out how that mouth of his would feel somewhere other than on my lips. I’m still giddy, even now.
I have no ring to mark the occasion. Instead, a necklace. And even though it was given in friendship, I meant it when I said I would never wear anything else. Every time I think about the fact that I married Hudson, my skin tingles and my stomach bottoms out in the most delicious way.
When it came time for us to sign the marriage license, I was nervous. We never really talked about me taking Hudson’s last name—something I never even did with my ex, Jeff. But when I leaned over the picnic table to put the pen to the paper, I knew there was nothing I wanted more. I’dlike to tell myself that it was simply to make things more believable for insurance purposes, but that would be a lie. I did it for the simple fact that I wanted to. I’ve never felt more wanted, more loved than I did yesterday. And some small part of me wants to hold onto that for as long as I can.
A smile stretches across my face, and I close my eyes as I think back to that moment.
Once I finish signing, I hand the pen to Hudson and turn to Hutch.“Can you tell me how I submit for a legal name change?” I ask. I don’t know why my nerves are getting the best of me, but my stomach flutters with the question.
Hudson shifts to look at the two of us, eyebrows raised with a questioning gaze. There’s also something else there, with the way his eyes shine a little brighter.
“Are you sure?” he asks, searching my face for any sign of reluctance, His hair is falling over his forehead. He’s so damn handsome. And he’s mine.
“Is that ok?” I reply, eyeing him tentatively. My hands instinctively grasp the infinity symbol around my neck.
He pulls me into the biggest, yet gentlest, bear hug I’ve ever received. “Hell yes,” he whispers against my ear, making my skin break out in goosebumps.
