He’d seen many brides, but few as pretty as Rachel. His brotherly affection for her turned to pride, and he watched her glide down the aisle on the arm of her father. Love and joy radiated from her.
As beautiful a bride as Rachel was, Carl found himself watching Luna again, imagining her in a wedding dress and walking down the aisle at their wedding one day. He was jumping ahead, but what was wrong with dreaming?
Luna’s face adopted a wistful expression. Was she thinking of her wedding to Manny? What had it been like? He’d asked her once, but she’d deflected the question. As far as he knew, it hadn’t been a formal affair. It shouldn’t matter, regardless. That marriage was over and in the past. His relationship with Luna was their relationship and couldn’t be compared to anything she’d shared with Manny.
The ceremony was elegant but short. After Rachel and Aaron were pronounced husband and wife, they filed out of the room and were whisked away for more pictures. The wedding guests were invited to the ballroom where the reception would take place.
Name cards told each guest where to sit, and there were six people sat to a table. The centerpieces matched Rachel’s bouquet and were placed in glass cylinders with smooth stones filling the gaps. A circle of tealights surrounded the vase.
Carl pulled out Luna’s seat for her. “Doing okay?”
“I am.” She graced him with a smile. “To be honest, I was afraid to come, but I’m glad I did.”
“So am I.” Their eyes locked and exchanged unspoken words.
In that moment, he knew he’d married Luna one day. It wouldn’t be a grand wedding like this one, but it would be exactly how they wanted it, and it would be perfect. That promise buoyed him, and he grinned like a fool.
“What are you smiling about?” Luna stared at him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
“I can’t smile because I’m happy?” At the risk of scaring her, he didn’t divulge his entire reason.
“Then I must be smiling ear to ear.” She sighed and sipped water from the crystal glass in front of her.
Her admission sparked explosions of elation in him. The wedding’s party entry saved him from a reply that had the potential to embarrass him. If he didn’t guard himself, he’d tell her now how madly in love with her he’d fallen.
The catering company delivered plates to each individual. He’d chosen the encrusted trout with a lemon butter sauce, which he normally loved, but Luna’s filet mignon almost made him drool. That was the last time he’d choose fish over beef.
She sliced a bite of steak and forked it. “Try a bite.”
It was everything a piece of meat should be, and it melted in his mouth. “That’s fantastic.”
“You can have it,” she offered without hesitation.
Not a chance. No matter how delicious it was, he wouldn’t take her meal. He would, however, share his. He forked a piece of trout and held it to her mouth. “The fish is outstanding.”
She chewed then swallowed. “My goodness, it is.”
He loved the enjoyment she found in food. Years had passed since he’d had to wonder where his next meal would come from, and he’d forgotten what it was like to indulge in high quality meals. He realized he’d come to take food for granted like many other things in his life. Thanks to Luna, he was relearning to appreciate them.
At the end of dinner, and after the newlywed’s first dance, the floor opened to the guests. The other couple at their table left to dance. Christy and Beth, the other two table guests, excused themselves to the restroom, but not before casting flagrant winks toward Luna.
She looked at him with wide eyes. “If you’re thinking about asking me to dance, you should know I have two left feet.”
“Perfect.” He grinned and wiggled his brows. “I have two right feet, so together we’re perfect.”
“I’m serious.”
He stood up and extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”
“I told you-”
“We’ll stand there and sway to the music. That’s all I’m asking.”
Ten long seconds passed before she placed her hand in his. “If I step on your feet, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He pressed his hand against the small of her back and led her to the dance floor.
Her throat constricted with a gulp. “I need to tell you something.”
