“No. I’m freaking out.”
“Luc, everything will be alright with the cake, I swear. You’ll love it, it’s on its way n—”
I understand why he’d think I’d be freaking out about that, and I partially am, but right now, it’s far from the main thing on my mind.
I cut him off, rushing toward him and silencing him by pressing against him and wrapping my arms around him. “I don’t care about that right now. Just hold me for a while, please.”
For a moment, he stands still, unresponsive. “Oh,” he replies, dumbfounded. When he speaks again, he sounds pleased and wraps his arms around me. “Alright, sweetie. What’s wrong?”
I bury my face in his shoulder. “I spent the entire evening talking with my mother. She told me never to believe you when you say you’re going on business trips.She said all men who say that are cheaters, and apparently, that’s what my dad did. He told my mother he was going on business trips while having secret affairs.”
Cody tenses up in my arms. “Oh my God,” he exclaims, gently pushing me away so he can look at me. “You found out your dad cheated on your mom the day before your wedding?”
I nod. “Yes, I know, it’s awful. But it’s my own fault for asking.”
He frowns, worry written all over his face. “Dammit, I should never have left you alone with her. You don’t think I—”
I shake my head. Deep down, I know Cody wouldn’t cheat on me. “No. Even if it’s just because you practically jump me when you come home, but also because I know you wouldn’t do that to me.”
He sounds relieved. “Good. Because I would never.” He nods and pulls me close, hugging me again. “I’m sorry you had such a rough night,” he says.
“It really was. My mother also couldn’t stand the idea that we have a prenup and called me stupid for doing it. Then, for some reason, she thought it was a good idea to put on a French comedy about a couple who get divorced. I asked her if there was something she was trying to tell me; she said no.” My voice sounds muffled from my face pressing against his shoulder, but he’s caressing my back and hair in such a way that makes me never want to move. “But I’m now convinced that both my parents are against marriage. At the very least, they don’t believe in it.”
He sighs, his tone somewhere between worried and content. “I’m so sorry you went through that, baby, but I’m also glad they didn’t pass that on to you.”
I shrug. “They can’t. I’m a romantic deep down... around the right guy anyway.”
“And that’s me, isn’t it?”
I nod against his chest. “I wouldn’t be here having a big wedding in this place if you weren’t.”
“Good.” I can hear from his voice that he’s smiling. “I’m a romantic through and through, but I must say, I never pictured myself getting married in a place like this... in France. It’s more than I could have hoped for.”
I can’t help but become a little emotional, clinging to him tighter while suppressing a sob. The tiredness is making me more sensitive. “I hadn’t dared hope for it either.”
Cody’s voice becomes concerned. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. It wasn’t easy talking to her about my dad, and I didn’t sleep too well without you there. And now, on top of it, I’m really stressed out about a certain wedding today.”
He groans. “I feel like such an asshole for leaving the day before our wedding, but my family was so excited. I’m sorry, baby.” I nod against his shoulder. “Today will be okay,” he says, holding and caressing me. “No matter what happens, we’ll be married tonight. And we’ll be alone.”
That’s a good prospect, but it doesn’t entirely succeed in calming me down. “But what if I let my parents get into my head and start doubting us?”
He tenses up for reasons unknown to me. After a while, he says, “Then you tell me about it, and we find a solution. We always do.”
“But what if today goes wrong and I end up mad at you? What then?”
“Well, you could just decide not to be mad at me, you know. I’m trying as hard as you are, but some things are out of our control. And today is about us, not about anyone else. Today, our happiness is all that matters.”
That does help soothe my nerves. It’s true; what anyone else thinks or says doesn’t matter. What matters is him and me, and what it comes down to is that it feels good between us.
“You’re right,” I reply, giving him a squeeze. “It’s all about us. Maybe I worry too much.”
“You definitely do. But I can’t blame you after the night you had.”
I groan softly into his chest. He’s so warm, comfortable, and safe. “How are you so good at making me feel better?”
He smiles at that. “I don’t know, but I look forward to doing it forever.”
