Page 110 of Tangled Up

“She never has to worry about that.”

“Okay, enough locker room talk.” Larsen slides her empty tumbler across the bar. “I’m heading out. Dane’s picking me up in five.”

Settling my tab, I shake Greg’s hand and clap Asher on the shoulder. “I’m heading out, too. See you guys Sunday. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

We step out into the cool spring night, and I wait with Larsen for her man to appear. Three days before the official start of spring, before the day I sayI do, and a hum of anticipation is in the air. The flowers are opening, and we’re all straining for the sun.

“I really am glad to see you so chill and happy,” she says. “Carly’s a special lady.”

“I can’t believe she took me back.”

“We all deserve a second chance. I’m glad you faced your fears.” A pickup pulls into the parking lot, and she gives me one last hug. “See you on Sunday.”

The sun is setting out on the horizon, and we’re all on the back patio of the Pearl. Twinkle lights are strung from one side of the roof to the other, creating a glowing-yellow canopy over our heads. Potted trees are arranged along the perimeter, draped in more, tiny lights, and hurricane jars hold candles along the balcony rail.

Jessica and the girls handled the decorations. They arranged white wooden chairs in two sections facing the beach with an aisle down the middle, and guests file in to take their seats. Standing beside me in pale gray suits over white linen shirts are Greg, Asher, and Larsen. Carly was thrilled at the prospect of being so non-traditional, and she had a suit made special for my one female attendant.

Aunt Viv is on the front row of Carly’s side in a pale green dress, already crying. Farther back in the rows are two little old ladies Jessica has been fussing over. Their gray heads are together, and I can only assume they’re evaluating everything from the flowers to the length of Carly’s train. Carly’s old chief Ronnie and Kevin sit together on the last row of her side. I give Kev a nod and pretend not to notice Ronnie wiping the corner of his eyes.

Mr. C is on my side. As a wedding gift, he gave us an enormous fruit platter with a sterling silver melon baller, which we’ve already put to good use. Carly’s been craving watermelon nonstop since the start of her second trimester, and I really wish it was further along in the season so I could steal one for her for old time’s sake.

Dane, Meadow, and Amanda fill out my side, and it’s all pretty perfect. I’m ready for the bridesmaids to begin their walk when my father steps out onto the patio, and my stomach clenches.

Carly insisted we invite him, but I didn’t think he’d have the nerve to show his face here. I never told her about his role in our separation, and I never intend to. At least he has the decency to appear contrite. I’ll deal with him later, if at all. This day is all about my girl and making it special for her.

The first notes of a violin sound, and the string quartet launches into Pachelbel’s Cannon. Sadie appears at the back of the chairs first. She’s wearing a strapless, seafoam green dress, and I think she has extra hair in her ponytail, because it hangs in long waves over her shoulder. She’s carrying a small bouquet of pale blue and pink flowers with purple pansies in the center.

Libby is out next in a light purple, one-shoulder dress. She and Henry have been together pretty much nonstop since the fair. She’s working with him full-time now, but she also handled all the flower arrangements for the wedding. It was really important to her to find pansies for all the bouquets, which took a little effort as they’re “fall flowers,” according to her.

Next up, Jessica is in a light blue dress with spaghetti straps. She’s styled the same as the other two girls, which Carly explained are supposed to create a mermaid theme. They all look fine, but I’m straining to see my future wife.

She slept at Aunt Viv’s house last night to honor the tradition of me not seeing her before our wedding. Of all the nontraditional elements, she picked that one to hold onto. Naturally, I’ve been missing her like crazy.

The music pauses, and the violinist hits the first notes of the wedding march. Everyone’s on their feet, and my chest swells in anticipation. An ache is in my throat, anddamn, I hope I don’t cry.

All bets are off when Carly appears at the back of the row in a beige satin dress that rises high in the front and hangs long in the back, giving me a teasing glimpse of her sexy legs. It’s cut to be loose over her little pooch where our baby has just started to show, and a veil is over her face. In the twilight, I can’t see her expression.

Henry steps out from beside the trees, and she takes his arm. As he slowly escorts her closer to me, my chest fills with so much pride. She’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, and having my baby in her belly makes me want to take her under my arm and protect her from whatever might come our way.

When she’s at the front, the minister steps forward. “Who gives this woman to wed this man?”

“Her aunt and I,” Henry recites. “Although, we’re making a change, pastor. We’re going to keep Carly and let Beck join our side.”

“I can live with that,” I reply to his ad-lib.

The audience breaks into a soft chuckle, and he steps back. I step down to pull her small hand into the crook of my arm. I want to kiss her now, but the minister begins the traditional vows to love and honor, through sickness and health.

It’s another part of tradition Carly wanted to have, and we both agree with confidentI dos. Up next are the rings. Carly picked out a white-gold band for me, and I slide her white-gold, diamond-covered band into its place above her engagement ring.

She looks up at me, and I see her pretty eyes sparkling through the sheer fabric of the veil. When the minister gives me the direction to kiss her at last, I lift the thin barrier aside and gently cup her cheeks. Just before our lips meet, I hold her gaze with mine.

“A long time ago, I got lost on the way to forever. I’m so thankful you gave me a second chance to have this happiness.” Carly’s eyes fill with tears, and my voice thickens. “Right here in front of all these witnesses, I vow, I’ll never hurt you again, Caroline. No matter what happens, I’ll always choose you.”

Leaning down, I cover her mouth with mine. Our lips part, and our tongues slide together in a brief caress that hits me below the belt. It takes all my strength to pull back and not take it deeper in front of our friends and family.

I kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear, “I missed you last night.”

Her eyes blink fast, and a crystal tear falls as she starts to laugh. Lifting my thumb, I wipe it away, unable to tear my eyes from her beauty.

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