We run through the ceremony and even though I don’t want to, I bawl my eyes out when I recite my vows to Reese. When I promise to cherish him forever, to love every part of him with every ounce of myself, I cry harder. Juls and Joey’s sobs behind me blend into mine, while I hear the faint sound of everyone else’s emotions getting to them as they watch from their seats. And then I really become a wreck when he repeats them. But unlike me, Reese doesn’t cry. His voice isn’t a quivering mess. He doesn’t have to pause to try and pull himself together. But even though he doesn’t react the way I do when he recites them, his words seem to hold more sentiment than mine. As if this is the only time I’ll hear them from him. As if he isn’t going to be reciting them again to me tomorrow.

He vows to always be mine, to honor me and stand by my side through everything life throws at us. To make me laugh and to hold me when I cry, prompting him to pull me against him since I am, indeed, crying. He finishes his vows into my hair while I cling to him like he’s my life line. His scent soothes me as I nuzzle him long after he finishes talking, relishing in the way my body fits perfectly against his. And everyone gives us that moment. No one asks if we’d like to continue with the mock ceremony. No one clears their throat to speed things along. We don’t break contact until we’re both ready, which feels like hours instead of minutes.

After finally separating, we finish the ceremony and share a brief kiss, one I know will be much longer tomorrow. Everyone pairs up and walks back down the aisle, Reese and I leading the way. We say goodbye to my parents and Reese’s family before he and I walk through the parking lot, our friends a few feet behind us.

“So, did I surprise you with my dress?” I ask as we stop in front of my driver’s side door. I lean my back against it and tug at his suit jacket, bringing him closer to me.

“You always surprise me, love. Especially when you’re in that dress.”

“Oh? I surprised you in this before?”

He puts a hand on either side of me, bringing our foreheads together. “Well, I wasn’t suspecting to get knocked on my ass by a wedding hookup. So, yes, you surprised me.”

“See you two at The Tavern!” Juls yells, gaining our attention. We wave to her and the rest of the group as they all walk to their vehicles.

“I was just as affected, you know,” I say, bringing his attention back to my face. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, which annoyed me because I thought you were married. But don’t think you were the only one who got knocked on their ass,” I repeat his words to me with a playful tone. “Thank you for my delivery today. Did you see the video?”

He presses his lips against mine. “I did. I watched it at least ten times before I left the office. You looked so happy.”

“I am so happy.”

“So am I,” he replies against my mouth.

I bite at his bottom lip. “We should probably get married then. Since we’re both so happy.”

“Makes sense.”

“I think so.”

Joey beeps his car horn as he drives by us, waving out his window. Reese shifts me so he can open my door. “Come on. They’re going to be waiting for us.”

I slide into my seat and start my car. The time on my dash catches my eye. “This time tomorrow night we’ll be married.” He ducks down and reaches across my body with my seatbelt, buckling me in. I give him a quirky look. “Really? I’m capable of buckling myself in, you know.”

“You were too slow about it.” He kisses my temple. “Don’t speed this time.”

“Yes, Mr. Sparks.”

He goes to close my door but the title I’ve just given him stops him. “Mr. what?”

“Sparks. I like the sound of that. Reese Sparks. Some men take their bride’s name.”

“I’m not one of them,” he says with authority in his tone. One that’s saying this is in no way negotiable. He closes my door and walks toward his vehicle. And I could pull away, but I wait because I know he’s going to give it to me. Even though I can’t see his face, I know he’s smiling at what I’ve just said despite the seriousness in his voice. And as he grabs his door handle, I see the slight shake of his head before he gives me that smile over his shoulder, the smile I’ll always wait for. Satisfied, I finally pull away from the Whitmore with a very happy man behind me.

34

“Jesus. This place is packed,” I yell over the music as Reese leads me through the crowd of people.

Friday nights at The Tavern do tend to be a bit busier, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this mobbed before. I stay close to Reese, my hand in his as he weaves me in and out of the mass of bodies toward one of the tall tables surrounding the dance floor. I spot our friends once we get close enough. Juls is sitting on Ian’s lap, Joey is talking intimately with Billy, and Brooke is looking between the two couples, rolling her eyes.

“Why I agreed to show up here dateless is beyond me,” she snaps before taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes widen when they focus on Reese and me. “Ahhh! You’re here!” She moves past Billy and Joey, wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you for inviting me out tonight. I’m so fucking excited about tomorrow.” She glances up at Reese. “Wait until you see your wedding cake. It’s unreal.”

“I can’t wait,” he answers, dropping my hand. “You want anything from the bar?”