Page 46 of My Grumpy SEAL

The exchanging of vows will be at the beach right as the sun is setting. I already have the photographer poised to take pictures, and the reception will be held inside the main hall because the beach gets cold at night.

I look at my watch and count down five seconds before cueing in the pianist.The groom and his best man walk in as the music starts playing. Iknow Jake is trying to get my attention so I make sure not to look his way. I don’t have time for him right now.

I turn around to go and check on Cecilia and see her walking towards me with her entourage. I smile at her. She looks more determined now. She grips me in a tight hug. “Thank you so much, Bella.”

I hug her back. Someone clears his throat behind me and I turn to see Cecilia’s father smiling at us. She hugs him too and he takes her in his arms warmly. There are tears brimming in his eyes. It’s a crying fest.

Ceciliaand Harry exchange their vows and seal it with a kiss in front of the setting sun.I hoot loudly, cheering them on. The eventmoves on smoothlyinto the reception.Using the flowers picked out by the bride, I leave a trail for the guests to follow that leads them back to the main hall where a huge portrait of Harry and Cecilia together greets them at the door.

The guests are happy, and the couple is happy. My work here is done. The couplesare havingtheir first dance together when Isuddenlyfeel someone’s handson mywaist. I jump, startled and turn aroundto see Jake.

“Care to dance?” he asks me and I look at him incredulously.

“There are people here.What are you doing?” I ask him, confused, but his hand remains possessively on my waist.

“I’m setting the record straight,” is all he mumbles before leading me to the dance floor.

Harry smiles at us as we join them on the dance floor. Jake plants both hands firmly on my waist. “Don’t look at them. Look at me.” He slowly leads the dance and I follow. My heart is beating and I try not to look at anybody’s face. I catch Tristan’s encouraging smile though, and I quickly bury my face in Jake’s neck so I don’t see anyone else.

The song slowly comes to an end and Jake looks at me with so much adoration. “You are the most beautiful, hardworking, and selfless woman I have ever met, Miss Bella Ortiz. And I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone in my life.”

His words bring tears to my eyes and I quickly kiss him before anyone notices them. Jake returns the kiss with passion and I have to pull away before we get carried away.

Harry suddenly hoots, startling me. “That’s what I am talking about.” Next thing I know, there is clapping and hooting from the employees. Their smiles make me smile.

After our little show, others join us on the dance floor. I take a break after a while because other than slow dancing, Jake is a terrible dancer. I’ll give him credit for effort though. People walk up to me to gush about how cute Jake and I were and some employees tell me how they already had a hunch and were so happy for me.

Stephanie suddenly stands in front of me and I glare at her. She rolls her eyes before offering her hand for me to shake. “The best man won. I wish you and Jake a happy life together.”

Unsure of what to reply to that, I take the hand she is offering. She turns around and leaves immediately afterward. I stare at her retreating back and suddenly run after her.

I catch her outside the hall. “Stephanie,” I call and she turns around. “I hope Marilyn gets better. Actually, I would love to know how her treatment goes.”

She smiles at me. “I’ll keep you posted.”

She walks away just as a small hand grabs me from the back. “Oh my gosh, I am so happy for you,” Jessica gushes, grabbing my cheek. There are tears in her eyes. “The event was beautiful, and that dance. My God! You had me crying buckets. It’s just so beautiful.” She starts to cry again and Malcolm leads her away.

“There is the future Mrs. Hunt,” I hear someone say and turn to see Tristan smiling at me.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I tell him and he waves it off.

“Ah, it’s just a matter of time. Boss will be on his knees, begging you to marry him.”

“I didn’t realize they were planning a proposal for me already,” Jake says behind him and Tristan’s eyes go wide.

“Boss! I didn’t realize you were there.” He slowly walks away.

Jake walks up to me and wraps his arms around me. “Miss Ortiz.”

“Are you going to keep calling me that?” I ask him.

“Yes,” he says with finality and I choose not to argue, for now.

“You really announced us in there.”

“Did you not like it?” He actually looks worried so I place my hands on his cheek.

“I loved it Jake, and I love you even more.”

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