Rhett smiled at Fallon. “I do.”
The officiant asked Fallon the same question. “I do.”
“And now it’s time for the vows that Rhett and Fallon have written themselves.”
Rhett cleared his throat and began. “Fallon, when I met you, I had a feeling I was in for an adventure. But never in my wildest dreams did I think it would include falling in love with you. Not only did you capture my heart, but you also welcomed Poppy into your life. Every day with you is filled with love and laughter, and I wake up excited for whatever comes our way. I promise to love you, to always be there for you, and to make our home a place filled with happiness. Here’s to us, to our family, and to every moment yet to come.”
Fallon spoke next. “When I first saw you, I thought you were hot.” The crowd burst into laughter, and Fallon grinned. “The day you were assigned to protect me, I figured I’d have a little fun driving you crazy, but it didn’t take long for me to realize you were the person I didn’t even know I was looking for. Every minute I spend with you makes me fall in love with you a little more. And when we have Poppy with us, I can’t imagine life any better than that. Today, I vow to be the best partner possible to you, to share in your joys and your challenges, and to create a life for us filled with love and continued adventures.”
“Don’t cry,” Jase whispered.
“Shut up,” I murmured back.
After they exchanged rings, the officiant announced they could kiss. Rhett cupped Fallon’s face in both hands and kissed him as everyone cheered.
Fallon and Rhett walked back down the aisle hand in hand, both looking stupidly happy. As soon as they reached the end, the planner took the mic and let everyone know there’d be drinks and hors d’oeuvres while the families took pictures. The crowd drifted toward the reception tent, where several round tables and a couple of long ones were arranged around a big dance floor. Tables covered with white linens and deep blue napkins were topped by flower and candle arrangements in glass holders. At the far end, the band played low on a raised stage while people talked, laughed, and found their seats.
We followed the crowd with Hayden to a long table near the entrance, where all the escort cards were lined up. He found ours first.
“Table twelve.”
I grabbed my card and Jase’s. “We’re with you. Shocking.”
We found table twelve near the dance floor, with a clear view of the head table and the cake. I dropped into a chair with my back to the tent wall so I could see everything.
Jase dragged his chair out and sat, stretching his legs under the table. “At least we didn’t end up stuck next to the speakers.”
People kept filing in. Servers filled water glasses and set down bread baskets.
“Drink before it starts?” I asked.
“Obviously,” Jase answered.
Hayden pushed his chair back. “I need a drink.”
We hit the bar. Jase and I each grabbed a beer; Hayden went for a whiskey sour. As I turned away from the bar, I saw Faye walking toward us.
“Incoming,” I said, then took a big sip of my amber brew.
Faye stepped in beside me and reached for a champagne flute. Her sapphire dress was even more distracting up close and didn’t hide a thing. The slit revealed a long line of leg as she shifted, and the low back was a direct assault on my self-control.
Jase gave her a slow once-over. “You look incredible.”
“Yes, very …edible.”
“Thank you.” Her gaze drifted over him, then me. “You two clean up well.”
Faye glanced toward the head table, where her parents were talking with someone near the cake. An agent stood a few feet away, watching the crowd.
“I’ve got to get back over there,” she said quietly. “Here’s the plan. You eat, clap, and pretend to care about the toasts. When they serve cake and everyone’s distracted, I’ll slip out to the house. Give me a few minutes, then come to my room.”
She touched my wrist, squeezed Jase’s fingers, gave Hayden a quick kiss on the cheek, then headed back to the front of the tent.
Hayden watched her go. “I’m not asking what that was about.”
“Good,” I replied.
We went back to the table. The planner ran through the introductions as the wedding party came in to cheers. Fallon and Rhett entered last, their hands linked, both enjoying the best night of their lives. They shared their first dance, then danced with their parents before dinner began arriving in courses. Salad first, then steak and vegetables. I ate, we talked a little with the rest of the table, and I pretended I wasn’t tracking Faye every time she crossed the tent.
