Page 35 of Sunset

I choke up, but manage a deep breath, as I pull away, “Maybe, not too soon though, okay?”

She laughs, “Deal. Now, how bad is my makeup?”

“Not bad, let me fix it for you,” I tell her.

A few minutes later we head out to the lobby and meet Mrs. Keller, who is walking her down the aisle. Mrs. Adams is there, and she gives us a soft smile.

“You made her cry.” She states.

“But I fixed it.” I laugh.

She shakes her head and hands both Lin and me bouquets of flowers. I’m her Maid of Honor, and Jasper is Kade’s Best Man. Small wedding, but then, our family is small. Lin’s right though, it’s growing.

I turn back to Lin right before walking out of the door.

“I want a family so big we barely fit in one house for Christmas,” I tell her.

She nods, “We will make it happen.”

Then, I’m walking down to the beach, everyone is seated, and all eyes turn to me. Kade and Jasper stand up by the water with Kade’s family pastor, who flew in just for the ceremony.

I don’t see all the people, and I don’t even see Kade. My eyes lock with Jasper and don’t leave, as I make my way up the aisle. My mind’s screaming that I could have this if I just let him in, if I just let one wall down, give him a sliver of trust, and give it a test run. Open myself up and try.

I take my spot, and then the music changes, and everyone stands, and watches Lin walk onto the beach. I couldn’t tell you if Kade cried, or if Lin’s eyes stayed on Kade’s, because my eyes were still locked with Jasper’s.

The entire ceremony we go through the motions, but his eyes never leave mine. During the vows, his gaze gets intense, almost like he’s making me the same vows.

It’s in this moment that I realize no matter what, it’s always been him at the end of the aisle, when I pictured my wedding. The thought freaks me out, and I’m just on this side of a panic attack, when the pastor says, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Thankfully, it’s a short kiss. Then, they walk back up the aisle with Jasper at my side, as we follow them.

“What went through your mind just then?” He says.

He’s always been able to read me, and always knows, when something is wrong.

“Play your cards right, and maybe, I’ll tell you.” I try to lighten the mood.

Today, is about Lin and Kade, and I want to be here for them.

We get through pictures and greet just about everyone, before Jasper and I make it to the reception room at Sunrise. The place doesn’t look the same. It’s beautiful and what Lin called ‘Hollywood beach glam.’ She wanted to show they were merging their two worlds.

Before I know it, a bottle of water is in front of me.

“Drink up, we were outside for a bit,” Jasper says.

“Thank you.” Taking the bottle, I drink thirstily. He watches me and nods his approval, when I finish a fourth of the bottle.

We turn to watch Lin and Kade enter the room, and Lin looks at the wall by the door, blushes, and then smiles at Kade. I just know something happened here, and I love that they have those moments together.

The food is set up buffet style, and of course, all of it is Jasper’s cooking. He prepared Lin and Kade’s favorite foods. We spared no expense for them, as Kade insisted. There’s everything from steak, to appeal Kade’s parents, local seafood, Jasper’s famous dishes, and a few meals to appease some of the townspeople on special diets.

We eat, and then, it’s time for speeches.

“I’ll go first,” Jasper whispers, and then stands up at our table.

Lin and Kade chose to have a sweethearts table, so it’s just them. Then, Jasper and me being the only wedding party are at a table to one side, and Kade’s parents, Mrs. Adams, and Mrs. Keller are at the parents’ table to the other side.

Kade asked Jasper to be his best man, and I was shocked. But Lin said it’s because Jasper has always treated him like he was normal. Even grilled him to make sure he was good enough for Lin. He’s been the most real friend he’s had, since he moved to Hollywood, and that made me happy. Even if it meant I was stuck with Jasper all night.

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