I exhale. It’s time to face the truth head-on. Maybe this place, this scenario, isn’t the curse I think it is.
Maybe it’ll be a blessing in disguise.
Or my complete downfall.
Ron gets out and comes around to open my door. I whisper a prayer, asking for strength. I’m about to need every last ounce I can muster.
Within seconds, my door opens and Ron helps me out.
I now stand directly in front of the building, and it’s dazzling. Torches line the sidewalk, their flames licking at the night. Pink and red flowers scale latticework attached to the front of the facade.
I inhale a deep gust of air. I’m ready.
Ron walks me to the front door and he pulls it open.
I get my first glimpse and my knees buckle. The air smells like lilies and candle wax and the terrifying feeling of being loved too much.
I thought I was prepared for this, but I’m not.
Inside, the chapel’s decorated just as beautifully as the outside, with hundreds of candles lighting up the interior.
The pews are filled with people—Cristina, Clarice, my book club ladies. Even my family is here.
My mom cries quietly.
And standing at the very front is Stone, wearing a tuxedo (I hadthatguessed right), and beside him is Isaac, who is apparently officiatingmy wedding.
Stone brought me here to get married.
This beautiful gown, one I couldn’t have picked better myself, is a wedding dress, and Stone has planned the most gorgeous venue, better than I could have imagined—even if it is in Mystic Meadows.
He winks playfully. My throat squeezes. It’s all so beautiful that my heart overflows. Would Stone beam at me if he knew the truth? Would I still feel this way? Do I deserve this slice of happiness?
It feels like I’ve known Stone my entire life, not just a few weeks. It’s insane. Absolutely nuts. People only get married when they’ve known one another for years, when they’ve had time to witness the ups and downs of a person, see their moodiness, understand what to do when that person has a bad day.
But Stone has unlocked something within me, and I’m moremewith him than I’ve ever been. I certainly unlocked somethingwithinhim. It seems the magic potion actually unlockedhis true self—who he was always meant to be.
Beside him, Hercules bleats, “Baaaaaaa.”
I completely concur.
Music kicks up. My dad approaches, and he walks me down the aisle as a hundred gazes are glued to us.
“This is pretty fast, isn’t it, hon?”
“It sure is.”
“Are you really going to do this?” he asks, sounding worried. “I like Stone, don’t get me wrong. But it feels a little sudden.”
I pat his hand. “Don’t worry.”
We reach the front and Dad kisses me on the cheek before handing me over. This moment is akin to being on a TV show—the kind where you’ve only known your fiancé a week and must choose to marry him or end the relationship. Except there are no cameras here.
This is real life.
Stone grins and I force myself to smile back.
Tears prick my eyes. There’s so much love in me for this man.
