Kendall shifts on the bed and glares at me. “That could be good for you.”
“Should I cancel?” Canceling the day before would be a shitty thing to do, but what else am I supposed to do.
“No. Getting out of this house will do you some good. You never know, he might be a great guy. At the very least, it’ll be a great meal and good company.”
She’s right. I’m keeping my date with Kai. We’ll see how it goes.
“I need a shower.”
“You go do that, and I’ll catch up with you later. We are here for you, so reach out please, so we don’t have to come knocking down your door.”
“I’ll text you guys after the date.”
Kendall leaves and I’m left with swirling thoughts. I realized I’d been twirling my bracelet this whole time. I bring it to my lips and kiss it softly, remembering the moment he gave it to me.
THIRTY-EIGHT
JUDE
The wedding planners elegantly arranged the beach for the ceremony, with rows of white wooden chairs neatly aligned, forming an aisle down the middle. Pink flower clusters decorate each chair, contrasting with the pale sand to create a romantic path for the bride. The same flowers decorate the arch where we stand, their blossoms cascading around it. The resort’s ordained official stands with his ceremonial book. On the opposite side, Klara’s best friend and maid of honor stands with a smile.
The gentle ocean breeze mingles with the sun’s warm embrace, adding to the ceremony. The sound of waves gently lapping against the shore gives us a natural symphony, a harmonious backdrop as guests settle into their seats.
As the best man for Max, I stand with him as we wait. Klara appears at the end of the aisle, her custom-made wedding dress sparkling as it catches the light, lace trailing behind her. Max’s face lights up with a wide smile. He fixes his eyes on her, clearly soaking in every detail—the delicate curls framing her face, the way her eyes shine with joy as she stares at him. His expression is one of pure awe and adoration. As I watch them, a pang of longing hits me, and I imagine that same love and tenderness for Faith and me. I imagine wrapping her in my unwaveringlove, ensuring she knows I am here to stay. My heart swells with determination, ready to do whatever it takes to show her that together, we are like pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly.
Their complete and utter love is overflowing. Each word they speak is a reminder of why I’ve dedicated my career to capturing moments like these. Weddings are my specialty, and the chance to immortalize the love between two people through my lens is nothing short of exhilarating. Today, my team, dressed in matching black outfits and their cameras, moves stealthily around the sand, capturing every tear and smile. I couldn’t be more proud as they work seamlessly to capture these fleeting moments in time. Knowing I have such a talented team allows me the freedom to focus on what’s waiting at home—proving to Faith that I’m not giving up on her.
Klara and Max stand before each other, their fingers intertwined in a tender grip. Klara’s eyes shimmer with emotion. They exchange vows, each word carefully chosen and spoken to reflect the depth of their love. The promises they make to each other. As I listen, every phrase resonates within me, my chest swelling with love and affection for them.
My mind drifts to Faith as I imagine us standing in this very spot. It’s the resort where we rekindled our connection and reignited the flame of a love that I want to last forever.
“The rings.” I hear the words, and they knock me back to reality. From my pocket, I retrieve a small satin drawstring bag that’s holding their rings. I hand it to the officiate. With love in the air, they place their rings on each other’s fingers.
“You may kiss the bride!” the officiate shouts with enthusiasm.
The passionate kiss seems to last forever, and then Max dips her. The crowd cheers on these two amazing people who found love and are forever tied in matrimony.
“I’d like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Turner.”
I slap my best friend on the back and congratulate him with a hug. I wish Faith were still here, so we could enjoy the reception together. Soon enough, we will be together.
We all walk out through the resort, and all I can hear is chatter and flip-flops clapping on the floor. Guests gather and congratulate the newlyweds. Upon opening the reception space, staff escort guests to their seats.
“Thanks for being my best man and capturing these moments with your team. I can’t wait to see the final pictures.” Max clasps me on the shoulder.
We make our way to the reception as the DJ announces the wedding party and then introduces the bride and groom. I spend the wedding reception with my best friend—partying, eating amazing food, and watching Max and Klara love each other all night. It’s a sight to remember, and I can’t wait to see the edited photos that were captured.
The night is wrapping up. I say my goodbyes and grab a ride to the airport.
I’m doing this.
It might take some time, but I have all the time in the world to show her that I’m never leaving her again.
THIRTY-NINE
JUDE
I arrived home late last night. Finally, I’m rolling out of bed to grab a coffee. As I make my way downstairs, I think about the past eight years that I’ve called Vail, Colorado home. After the accident and all the physical therapy, I was finally cleared to snowboard. My doctor highly recommended not doing it competitively, given the injuries I sustained. It took me another couple years to gain the strength and the courage to move out west, to Vail, Colorado, where snowboarding is epic all season long. I fell in love with everything out here. Eventually, I decided to put down roots and build my dream home with views of the snow-capped mountains.
