I elbow him just as the music changes.
And then Jo appears at the end of the aisle.
She’s wearing a simple dress, nothing fussy or overdone, but she looks like a vision. Her hair is soft around her face, and she’s carrying the blush peonies Delilah designed. Her grin could power a small city.
Dean makes a sound beside me. Not quite a gasp, not quite a laugh. A sound that saysthis is really happeningandI can’t believe she’s mineall at once.
Jo walks down the aisle alone, because that’s who she is. Independent, stubborn, not needing anyone to give her away because she’s choosing this for herself.
When she reaches Dean, she takes his hands,and I watch my grumpy, closed-off brother transform into someone I almost don’t recognize. Soft and open, completely undone by the woman standing in front of him.
“Hi,” Jo whispers.
“Hi yourself.”
The officiant starts talking, but I’m only half listening. My eyes keep drifting to the front row, to Delilah, who’s watching the ceremony with wet cheeks and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.
She catches me looking. Holds my gaze.
Something passes between us, unspoken but understood.This could be us someday. This will be us, if we’re brave enough.
I turn back to the ceremony just in time for the vows.
“Dean,” Jo says, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes, “I spent most of my life thinking I wasn’t built for this. For partnership. For letting someone in. I convinced myself that being alone was the same as being strong.” She squeezes his hands. “And then you stomped into my boutique with your clipboard and your code violations and your absolutely infuriating refusal to let me burn down my own business.”
Laughter ripples through thecrowd.
“You drove me crazy,” Jo continues. “You still drive me crazy. But somewhere between the fire hazards and the building permits, I fell in love with you. With your grumpy heart and your steady hands and the way you show up, every single time, even when I make it hard.”
Dean’s jaw is tight, but his eyes are bright. He’s holding on by a thread.
“I promise to love you,” Jo says. “To argue with you about occupancy limits and let you win sometimes even when you’re wrong. To build a life with you that’s messy and loud and full of family.” She pauses, voice catching. “And to stay, Dean. No matter what. I promise to stay.”
Dean clears his throat. Takes a breath. I’ve never seen him this close to crying.
“Jo.” His voice is rough. “I spent five years thinking my heart was closed for business. I’d lost my wife. I’d built walls so high I couldn’t see over them. I thought that was fine. I thought safe was enough.”
He pauses, shaking his head.
“Then you showed up with your chaos and your paint-splattered clothes and your complete disregard for fire safety, and you burned through every wall I’d built.” He lifts her hands, kisses her knuckles. “You taught me that love isn’t about being safe. It’s aboutbeing brave. It’s about choosing someone, every day, even when it’s terrifying.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Delilah press a hand to her chest.
“I promise to choose you,” Dean says. “To show up for you, to fight for you, to stand by you even when you’re being impossible, which is most of the time.”
“Hey,” Jo protests, laughing through her tears.
“I promise to love you for the rest of my life. And Rex promises to eventually stop growling at your furniture.”
More laughter. Rex, sitting beside Asher, thumps his tail like he knows he’s being discussed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant says. “You may kiss your bride.”
Dean doesn’t hesitate. He pulls Jo into his arms and kisses her like they’re the only two people on the beach, like five years of grief have finally led him back to joy.
The crowd erupts in cheers, Rex howls, and the book club women are absolutely losing it.
And Delilah is looking at me with an expression that makes my heart stop.
