Page 138 of Butter My Biscuit

When I pass the bridal room, the door swings open, and I’m quickly pulled inside. It’s almost golden hour, so there is a different glow in the room.

I cover my eyes when I see Stephanie’s, not looking down at her dress.

“What are you doin’? We’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”

With my eyes closed, she captures my lips. “I don’t believe in superstitions,” she says. “I want you to see me first before anyone else. Makes it more special. Please look.”

My eyes flutter open, and a grin touches my lips. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous. I’m so lucky.”

“Me too.”

I smell her skin, smelling the warm vanilla on it, and it makes me think of Grace. I slam my eyes shut, pushing those thoughts away. She kisses me again, running her fingers through my hair, and things almost get too heated. The alarm I set for ten minutes before the ceremony goes off, and I silence it.

I whisper in her ear and laugh, but she pulls away and meets my eyes.

“Steph,” she corrects when we break apart.

“That’s what I said.”

She slowly shakes her head. “No, you said Gracie.”

My mouth falls open. I didn’t even realize my mistake. “Shit. I’m sorry. Wedding day jitters—that’s all.”

She leans in, wrapping her hand behind my neck, and kisses me. “Of course. I love you.”

“Love you too,” I admit. “Ready?”

When we break apart, she smiles. “Yes, I’ll see you out there, future hubby.”

“Okay, wifey.” I give her another kiss, then exit the room and stand against the door for a few seconds before sucking in a deep breath.

I make my way down the stairs and the aisle and move to the staging area as I check my watch. The place is packed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire town was here. When I look up and around, I see all the microphones and notice the cameras placed at every angle to capture the moment. It makes my palms sweaty, and I feel in my coat pocket for my vows since we decided to write them ourselves. I pull out the note Gracie wrote to me all those years ago.

I rub my fingers across the red kisses on the page and glance over the words she wrote again. The last sentence haunts me.

I’m in love with you, and I always will be.

I was so focused on this that I left my vows on my dresser.Fuck.

When the pastor walks out, I know the show will start, and then it will be over. I’ll be able to move on—forever.

Time speeds up, and everything happens fast as I go through the motions of how today will go.

The cellos give out one note, and then begin to play George Strait’s “Check Yes or No”. I break into a smile, knowing Grace chose this song. Because Stephanie told her to plan a wedding that would make me happy. And it’s already everything I imagined for my special day—from the food to the twinkle lights to the way the orange sunlight will leak through the windows when we seal our vows with a kiss.

The wedding party marches down the beautiful aisle with an elegant floor runner.

Beckett and Grace step down, and my eyes meet hers. The underlying current nearly pulls me under, and I feel like I’m drowning as she turns her head, standing up front as my best man, but she’s on the bridal party side. Stephanie’s request.

I make a promise to myself that I won’t look at her again for the rest of the night.

When the piano begins to play and “A Thousand Years” starts, all attention goes to Stephanie. Though I’ve already seen her once, I notice she’s wearing glass slippers and a tiara.

A smile meets my lips, and when she looks into my eyes, she grins wide. My nerves seem to disappear, and I stay focused on her.

Her father lets her go, and then she comes to me.

I take her hand, bending down, and whisper in her ear, “You’re beautiful.”

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