Page 127 of A Secret and a Lie
She smirks. Her descent is slow as her tongue maps my torso, dipping into each groove and gliding over the planes. Once her knees are on the floor, she reaches for my waistband, but I catch her wrist.
When I simply shake my head, she giggles lightly before dropping to her hands. She begins to crawl, rounding the corner, where she dips her hips a bit and glances back at me.
“Ah, ah,” I admonish her, grinning as I slap her ass. “Stick your ass in the air. Higher…yeah, like that.”
Her hips swivel as she slinks toward the bedroom, her milky skin touched by the warm light of the sconces. Finally living the life we both used to dream of together, I follow my wife down the hallway.
Genevieve
FOURTEEN MONTHS LATER
Iglide a hand down the front of my long silk dress, my blood-red fingernails getting lost in the fabric of the same shade as I smooth out all the wrinkles.
“You look beautiful.”
Glancing up, I find Corinne smiling sweetly at me, her hand rubbing absently over the most adorable baby bump I’ve ever seen. “Andyou’reglowing.”
She shakes her head, her curls bouncing as she waves me off. “Stop, Gen, you’re not allowed to complimentmeonyourwedding day.”
“Yeah, well, I’m already married.” I hold up the glittery emerald-cut infinity band I’ve been wearing every day since it was given to me while still behind bars.
This was Ford’s idea, but I didn’t object when he said he wanted to renew our vows. Although, the idea of a wedding was off-putting, and the only thing worse was going to be the planning part, which is why Ford did it all himself. But in trusting him, I suspect this is going to be the wedding of my dreams.
When he said that I could wear whatever I wanted, and not a standard white dress, that was simply another sign that allowing Ford to take charge is always a good idea.
She passes me the small bouquet of cherry blossoms, peonies and tiger lilies that she was holding for me, her eyes glassy. “I’mreally hap—”Her voice cracks, and she giggles. “These damn pregnancy hormones are getting to me.”
My own throat grows tight, only making it harder to swallow as Marcus steps forward to finish Corinne’s sentence. “You deserve this happiness, Gen. We’re both glad you and Ford found your way back to each other.”
I smile brightly at my closest friends. The last year or so has somehow only brought us all closer, like having that last missing piece of my soul has healed a wound that was just scabbed over until Ford came back into my life. It’s been easier to let my friends be part of my everyday, mundane life. It helps that they’ve become friends with Ford, too.
Once a month, we get together with Corinne, Brett, Marcus, and Drake for cocktails, and it’s one of my favorite new traditions. Corinne insists that things won’t change even after her baby girl is born, and that she’s just going to bring her along, and I hope she’s right. I’ll be jumping at every chance I get to snuggle that little angel since Ford and I aren’t going to be expanding our own family further.
Just then, soft piano music begins to play. “I think that’s your cue, guys.”
I take a deep breath and climb the back stairs of the bar. When I reach the top, I find the knot in my throat returning bigger than before, making my eyes water.
The rooftop of the bar where we had our firstrealdate has been completely transformed into a garden with green plants and white flowerseverywhere.The space is like something out of a fairytale dream as six of our friends are seated amid the greenery and flowers, all turned in my direction. Low, warm lantern lights illuminate the space as the small twinkle lights sprinkled throughout appear as though they’re lightning bugs.
It’s perfectly reminiscent of the way it looked the first time Fordbrought me up here, only elevated somehow. It’s official; Ford is the only event planner I’m hiring for the rest of my life.
At the end of the aisle, Ford waits for me, standing there in his Dress Blues, a notecard in his hand. Next to him, Drake wears the same handsome uniform and a grin that matches Corinne’s on the other side. My husband turns forty in December, and he’s never looked sexier. Every version of him has my favorite, though.
As I reach the mouth of the path, I note the way his smooth jaw flexes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. He holds out a hand for me, and I take it, giving him my heart, soul, and body to protect with his life.
And I know he will.
I’ve never been safer, never been more protected, more at rest than I am when I’m with Ford. Every day, he nourishes my soul, shields me from the rain, and makes my heart race as if we were still those two twenty-year-olds messaging late into the night.
Our love is written into our genetic codes, binding us together. It’s already transcended decades and continents, and I’m confident that it’ll transcend eternity all the same.
“I love you,” I admit after passing Corinne my bouquet, my hands clutched in Ford’s.
“It’d be impossible to love me more than I love you.”
The order of things be damned, I lean forward, pressing my lips to his. He kisses me back with equal fervor, his hand cupping the back of my head.
This might be the best day of my life.
