My eyes widen. “Don’t make me laugh,” I mouth back.
Slowly, he bites down on his lower lip. If I had to guess, he’s suppressing a groan as he boldly rakes his eyes over my body.
My heartbeat picks up as I teeter back and forth on my heels, wishing away the throb that’s building between my legs.
This is what weddings do to people. They make them all crazy and horny.
Well, it’s probably more like sappy and lovey, but it’s the latter when you’re in Jackson Peters’s vicinity.
Declan hits his shoulder, and my eyes widen in embarrassment when I realize he’s seen our interaction.
Mortified, I look away and focus back on Sadie.
It’s about time for her to say her vows and I can tell she’s anxious, wringing her hands repeatedly.
Even when Wills attempts to soothe her by taking them in his hands, she doesn’t stop.
Sadie opens her mouth to speak, then quickly closes it again. Her worried eyes shoot up to Wills while she covers her mouth to stop herself from getting emotional.
His stoney gray eyes meet hers as he cups her cheek. “I forbid you to say your vows. We can wait until we’re in private. I don’t want you upset, beautiful.”
She raises one brow. “You forbid it?”
He nods with determination.
She giggles and hits his arm playfully. “Aha, that would have worked years ago, Wills Taylor, you big bully, but you can’t tell me what to do anymore.”
He raises an eyebrow, and her blush is instant at the insinuation.
Jack groans. “Please, none of that today.”
Everyone laughs, then quickly quiets when Sadie starts to profess her love.
“Now that Wills has broken the ice a bit, I’ll try my best to do this quickly before I become a blubbering mess.” She smiles, then takes Wills’s hands in hers and begins.
“It was right here, in this very place, the Tuileries des Jardin, where you promised a future for us.” She points over to a grassy area. “It was in that very spot that I realized I was falling madly in love with you, and there was no way to stop the rollercoaster even if I wanted to. Your words stuck with me that day, especially when you said:I hope this is just our beginning. I believed you, and hoped that when we lost each other for that short period, you were right, that it was only our beginning, and we would once again find one another… Luckily, we did. That’s when I was hit with an overwhelming feeling that my life was finally starting.Our life.” She pauses and takes a breath as Wills wipes away her tears, and then his own.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we would be back here, getting married in front of the people we love most in the world. Especially with our two sweet little angels, Charlie and Chloe.” She glances at them, sitting on Eleanor’s lap. “You have given me the best gifts anyone could ask for—earth-shattering love, a found family, and most importantly, strength. You have always believed in me… and to me, that is what a true partnership is about. You are my rock, Wills, my soul mate—” She places her hand on her heart, then her other hand on his. “Our love is rare and strong, just like you. You saved me, and I will forever be grateful for the love you have shown me. You had me then, you have me now, and you’ll have me forever, Wills Taylor.”
“I love you, Sadie Taylor.”
Her smile bursts in pure undeniable happiness. “I love you more.”
“I promise you, you don’t.” He smirks, then kisses her, not caring that it’s not time yet.
Wills does what he wants, when he wants, especially when it comes to Sadie.
“Then, now, and forever, baby,” he whispers against her lips. “Although, I realized something today… forever isn’t long enough.”
14
Annabelle
I standin a delightful daze watching my best friend glide effortlessly in her husband’s arms across the black-and-white-checkered dance floor.
Their moves are seamless, even though they aren’t paying attention to anything but each other and the notes of their wedding song being played by the band.
Eyes locked, and often their lips as well, I can see Wills mouthing Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing” to Sadie.
