Hayden handed his over. The agent checked it against the list, nodded, and then did the same with Jase’s and mine. The agent with the wand scanned us and motioned for us to board the bus. We climbed on and found seats in the middle, with Hayden across the aisle. More guests filed in behind us until the shuttle was full.
The shuttle passed through tall iron gates and rolled past a security booth. After another quick ID check, we followed everyone off and headed for the lawn. The ocean spread out beyond the bluff, waves breaking against the rocks below. The breeze off the water cut some of the heat. Guests filled in around us. People hugged, talked quietly, and took their seats. I recognized a few faces near the front from stories and pictures, but I didn’t know anyone except Jase and Hayden.
“Ready to meet the president?” Hayden asked.
“Now?” I wondered.
“Yeah, let’s go say hi.” Hayden motioned for us to follow as if we were meeting anynormalguy.
“Mr. President.” Hayden extended his hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Mr. Foster,” President Donnelley replied. “How’s Hawkins these days?”
“Good. Keeping me busy.” Hayden leaned in and kissed the first lady’s cheek. “You look lovely, Mary.”
“Thank you.” She beamed.
Hayden turned to us. “These are Tyler’s brothers, Dylan and Jase.”
The president of the fucking United States stuck out his hand for me to shake, and I took it. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise. I hear you were drafted by the Carolina Crushers, and Jase, you’ll be playing for my Sox.”
“Well, we’ll be starting in the minor leagues,” Jase answered, taking the president’s offered hand. “But yes. Hopefully, we both get called up to the Big Show and can live out our dreams.”
“All in due time.” The commander-in-chief squeezed my shoulder.
We said hello to the first lady, and then they were ushered away to greet someone else.
“How does he know we were drafted?” I wondered.
“Fallon’s a Red Sox fan,” Hayden responded. “I’m sure he told his father.”
Or could it have been Faye? I wasn’t sure, but it was cool that they knew who we were. Or maybe they had an earpiece and were told the info as we approached. I supposed anything was possible.
Before we took our seats, we walked along the edge of the lawn and checked everything out. Near the edge of the cliff, white chairs faced a wooden arch covered in flowers with nothing but the ocean behind it. Staff in black moved around, putting on the finishing touches, while a harpist tested a few notes up front.
Then Faye walked out.
For a second, my thoughts derailed. The sapphire dress hugged her from her shoulders to her hips, her hair fell over one shoulder, and her earrings caught the light with everymovement. Heat shot straight through my chest and lower. She scanned the rows, and when she found us in our seats, she paused for a beat. Her eyes held mine, then slid to Jase, and her mouth kicked up into a quick grin before she looked forward again and took her seat in the front row.
“We’re in trouble,” I muttered.
“No shit,” Jase replied.
When it was time, the harpist began to play softly. Tyler and Agent Day walked down the aisle. I recognized Agent Day from Tyler and Hayden’s wedding. He was the one who had shot the man who had shot Fallon. Tyler waved at us quickly, then took his place at the front on one side, with Agent Day on the other. Rhett’s daughter, Poppy, came down the aisle next in a blue dress with a flower crown, scattering petals along the white runner.
Rhett followed in a gray suit with a sapphire tie. He was with people I assumed were his parents, and all of them wore wide smiles.
Then Fallon walked up between the president and the first lady. He wore a charcoal suit with a blue tie that matched Poppy’s dress and Rhett’s tie. His grin was huge; he looked happier than I’d ever seen him. The trio reached the front, then each parent hugged Fallon and went to the front row to sit with Poppy.
The officiant welcomed everyone and began the ceremony. “Today, we have the honor of witnessing Rhett Davis and Fallon Donnelley transform their love story into a lifelong commitment. To begin the ceremony, Fallon’s sister, Faye, will read a poem for the couple.”
She stood and went to the front. I tried to listen to what she was saying, but all I knew was that it was about love. Poetry was never my thing.
When she finished, she returned to her seat, and the officiant then addressed Rhett and Fallon.
“Rhett, in the presence of everyone here today, do you take Fallon to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and comfort him in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
