We pulled into the driveway, and I put the car in park.
“Not at all.” She hopped out. “See you out there, Charlie.”
The door shut, and Charlie and I were surrounded by the silence of our own chaos.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
I had to know she was certain. I couldn’t feel like I’d pressured anyone into doing something they didn’t want to because we were both wrapped up in the moment of it all.
“Yeah. It’ll be a fun story to tell.” She turned in her seat so she was facing me. “I, uh?—”
“What is it?” I asked, trying to decipher what her hesitation could be from.
“Is it too late to ask for one more request?”
“Never.” My heart thudded as I wondered what she could want.
“I don’t want this to look cheap or fake on the outside. I know we’re moving in together, but if you’re going to be my husband to my family and friends, I don’t want everyone to see you out in town at night, hooking up, so if you could keep your hookups like on a very low profile?—”
I took her hand, squeezing it firmly. We might be roommates, but I’d never tolerate anyone disrespecting her. “I’m not hooking up with anyone.”
“But we could be married for a long time,” she said, her brow furrowing. “It’s not like there’s a set timeline for how long it might take to sort out your meds. How?—”
I shook my head. “I’ve been single for a long time, Charlie. I haven’t hooked up or slept with anyone in almost five years. I think I can handle waiting a little longer.”
The truth was, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hold out if I was living with her. We’d need separate bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, even. If I had to watch her slip into yoga pants or dresses like this every single day without touching her?—
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Would you... not hook up with anyone else? I know that’s a big ask, especially after you’re willingly marrying me, but I’m not sure I could handle seeing you with someone else. Even if this is just an arrangement.”
She giggled as she opened the door. “Well, lucky for you, number five on my bucket list was to buy new sex toys, so I’m all stocked up, Austin. No need to worry about me.”
I groaned. I’d need to soundproof her room. If I heard the faintest buzzing noise, it’d be game over.
“Mom,” I muttered, running my hands through my hair as I took in the sight. From where we stood at the gate, I could see that the entire backyard was lined with candles of all shapes and sizes, flickering softly as the sun set behind it. “This is too much.”
My mom’s curly blonde hair was pinned up into a dramatic updo, and she was wearing a light blue dress that made her eyes brighter. “Too much? Not for my son’s freaking wedding.”
“Ledger told you this isn’t real.”
My momtsked. “Let me do this for my first baby.”
She reached up, and I leaned down so she could pinch my cheeks, just like she’d done since I was a kid.
She turned to Charlie, who stood behind me, and pulled her into a warm hug. “Charlie, I’m so happy you’re becoming part of the family. Don’t listen to this knucklehead. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”
Charlie smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“The caterers will be here with dinner soon.”
Charlie stepped forward, and her eyes widened as she took in the view of the backyard, her mouth dropping open. “This is... it’s too much,” she whispered.
We walked through the back gate, and the scene was like something out of a dream. Aside from the candles scattered everywhere, my mom had set up a long table draped in a fancy linen cloth. She’d arranged flowers from her garden in small vases, adding bursts of color and life to the space. It felt like an intimate backyard picnic but elevated, sophisticated. The soft glow of the candles and the smell of fresh blooms in the air made everything feel magical. It was perfect—almosttoo perfect. A part of me wished, for a second, that this was real because if I could have my wedding how I wanted it, this would be it.
I walked over to Charlie, and she instinctively grabbed my hand, her touch warm and grounding. “This really is amazing.”
