The room full of people gathers around as Ruby tells the story of how she and Liam eloped at the Nashville courthouse with Liam’s son, Aiden, as the best man. Time passes in a blur,and before long, we’re all lining up around the outside of the wedding barn, preparing to walk down the aisle.
The wedding planner motions for me to step forward. When I do, I see Jaxon standing at the end of the aisle with Wilder and Griffin. They’re each wearing a crisp linen jacket with a pair of jeans and a white button-down, and they have pastel floral boutonnieres to match the bridesmaid bouquets.
Jaxon’s hair is still in his artfully styled curls, but he’s not wearing his glasses, and I swear those emerald eyes are more vibrant than ever today, even at a distance. Wilder leans over and whispers in his ear. My stomach does a weird little flip when his gaze locks on mine, and he winks.
My thoughts stray to a different wedding entirely, one that only my imagination could conjure—me in a white gown, walking toward an awestruck Jaxon. My stomach sinks at the realization that I have no one to walk with me if that day ever does come. The music begins to play, and I plaster on a smile for their benefit.
But inside, I’m still a mess.
Jaxon
Callie glides down the aisle in a light yellow silk dress that hangs off one shoulder. Her hands tremble slightly as she clutches her bouquet. The air grows thick and heavy as she gets closer to the end. It’s a goddamn miracle I’m still standing when she takes her spot on the other side of the arch.
She gives me a watery smile, and my heart leaps into my throat. This is exactly where she belongs. The only thing that would make this better is if she were standing a few paces to the left with me at her side, sliding a diamond wedding band onto her ring finger.
Ruby and Sarah join her one after the other. Emmy and Gracie are holding hands, chaotically sprinkling flower petalsas they make their way along the aisle. Gracie’s still a bit unsteady on her feet, but she makes it to the end without incident.
Emmy finds her seat in the front row beside Mama, but Gracie toddles straight over to me, completely bypassing Wilder. I heft her into my arms, and she rests her head on my shoulder, popping her thumb into her mouth. There’s an audible chorus of awes right before the music shifts to an acoustic version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and everyone stands.
Wilder’s knees buckle as his bride glides gracefully down the aisle on her father’s arm, his cool composure replaced by a sudden rush of emotion. Olivia looks like a princess in a long, flowy gown that flares at the hips and ties into bows at her shoulders.
Tears disappear into Wilder’s beard as he struggles to stay upright. He shakes his head as if he can’t believe the vision coming toward him.
I wrap one arm around his shoulder and give him a reassuring squeeze. “Proud of you, Wild Man.”
He blows out a long breath and pats my hand.
Olivia’s chin quivers, and a tear falls down her cheek. When she reaches the end of the aisle, she pulls a daisy out of her bouquet and sets it on an empty chair in the front row beside Emmy Lou. Jess’s chair. Olivia wanted her to have a place at the wedding.
“Hi, Mama,” Emmy says cheerfully.
A wave of quiet laughter cascades through the crowd.
“Hey, Emmy girl.” Liv presses a soft kiss to her forehead and gives Emmy her bouquet for safekeeping.
Olivia’s father places her hand in Wilder’s and gives a nod of approval. “Take care of my little girl, Hayes.”
“Always.”
Forgoing tradition, Wilder cradles her face in his hands,swiping the tears from her face, then he pulls her into his arms and holds her. My eyes stray to Callie, who’s dabbing at her glassy eyes with a tissue.
“Alright, you two,” Pops says from his position under the archway. “There’ll be plenty of time for that after you say I do.”
Olivia palms Wilder’s cheek, mouthing a silent I love you, and the ceremony continues. Nobody survives without shedding a tear, not even Pops, whose voice breaks at the end of “you may now kiss the bride.”
Wilder dips Olivia backward and kisses her like he’s been waiting his whole life for the chance. They stride back up the aisle to an upbeat song, dancing and laughing. When it’s our cue to leave, I reach for Callie’s hand. She laces her fingers with mine, and I bring them to my lips.
The second we enter the barn, I tug her into a dark alcove.
“Jaxon. What are you?—”
Before she can finish her sentence, I take her mouth in a bruising kiss. She melts like putty in my hands, and I swallow her quiet sighs of pleasure. As my tongue delves between her lips, she reciprocates eagerly. My cock strains against my zipper, sobering me. This isn’t the time or place for this.
When I pull back, we’re both a little delirious.
I glide my thumb along her cheekbone and marvel at her beauty. She didn’t wear her glasses today, and her eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen.
“Is my makeup ok?” she whispers.
