Chapter Thirty-Five
Joel
“Aren’t I supposed to be the nervous one?” My best friend stood next to me, looking sharp in his linen dress shirt, jeans, and boots. I eyed him up and down. His blond hair was like it always was, with one part falling over his blue eyes.
“You look like a hippie,” I told him. This look was so beyond his normal attire, but Livia was obviously trying to dress him up for their big day.
The sun was shining down on Killian’s home in the Keys, and in a few moments he would marry the love of his life.
“You said she showed up yesterday?” I asked, not so subtly. He shook his head and ignored me.
Music started playing, and the few people that were in attendance stood for the bride and her crew.
The wedding was held in the back yard of Killian’s cottage on the water. They had set up a bamboo arch with linen hanging on each end. Rose petals were scattered to make an aisle in the middle,with maybe fifteen people total watching as Livia’s mother came into view in a beautiful lavender dress. She was Livia’s only bridesmaid, since I was Killian’s only best man. His Salt and Pepper father-like figure, Lucas Lonsello, was initially going to be the best man, but he ended up being our clergyman instead. One of his many talents, it seemed.
Livia’s mom gave me a wink as she passed in front of me and took her place opposite of us. She was nonstop chatting with me in the car when she picked me up from the airport. I was very thankful when we pulled up to Killian’s house, so I could get a break from her complimenting me and talking about how my abs looked in my costume.
I know everyone watched the bride as she came walking down the aisle on her father’s arm, but I made sure to look at my friend as he followed his bride’s every movement. His eyes were so intense, like nothing I had ever seen. It was a look that said so much, without the need for words. He was watching his world walk toward him.
She did look beautiful, in a thin-strapped dress that was cut low in the front then blossomed out to her bare feet.
Her long blond hair was loose, and a wreath of flowers circled her head. Her eyes were on Killian’s, with a big smile on her face.
When her father kissed her cheek gently and handed her off to Killian to start the ceremony, he pulled her in and did not hold back pressing his lips to hers.
Everyone laughed, and then I heard a familiar tone. My head whipped around, and I finally found her.
My goddess of the sea was standing in a wine-colored dress that wrapped around her waist then flared out to her knees. She had sandals on that accentuated her tan and toned calves. When my eyes travelled back up to her face, she had her eyes on the couple who were finally breaking up their liplock session to actually get married.
She was radiant.
I’d been so busy with the convention and meetings that I hadn’t gotten the chance to continue my endeavor in trying to win her back, but I had time, and I wasn’t giving up.
Even though I could tell she was trying to ignore me, our eyes met, and it gave me hope.
I gave her a wink and then turned back toward the happy couple.
“Livia and Killian have each written their own vows.” Lucas smiled and gestured to Killian to start his. I had asked him what he was going to say, and he had only shrugged, so I was very attentive now. What would a man who didn’t speak his feelings much choose to say to his bride as a vow to show his promise of forever?
“‘Say You Won’t Let Go,’ by James Arthur.” He smiled at Livia, and she burst into happy tears. Hell, evenmyeyes started to water at his theme song choice. It was so perfect for them, and it was everything they deserved.
“Seriously.” She wiped away her tears and looked at Lucas. I handed Killian her simple, white gold ring and slid my hands back in my pockets.
“How am I not supposed to kiss him after that?” she asked as Killian slid her band on her finger.
“Two more minutes.Patience, Fille précieuse,” Lucas teased her in French and then told her it was her turn.
“‘Stay With You,’ by John Legend.” She wiped more of her tears, and her mother handed her Killian’s black band. She slid the metal over his tanned finger, shaking from the happiness that was radiating from her in waves.
Lucas could barely get the words out before they were wrapped in each other’s arms and sealing their vows with a kiss.
Their story was full of rain and sunshine, but they danced in the showers together and found happiness in the moment.
Everyone erupted in a series of laughter, hooting, and clapping.
Together they walked down the aisle as Mr. And Mrs. Lemarque, and I found myself watching them with excitement. They were going to live a great life together.
I also couldn’t wait until I talked Alessandra into marrying me. I would probably be dragging her by her cute, pedicured toes to the altar, but I already Spartan-kicked her into love, so it was just our style.
