When we break apart, he presses his forehead against mine. We’re both breathing heavily while ignoring everything else around us.
“We better get going soon,” I murmur with a smile, “or else my girls will send out a search party. They’ve been working hard on this.”
“Did they give you any details about it?”
I pout and shake my head. “No,” I whine slightly, “can you believe it? The only thing I was allowed to do or know about was what I needed to bake.”
“Theyshouldn’t have even told you that,” he grumbles while leading me over to his truck.
It’s dirty and perfect for us. Still, Rook shoots me a look of shame. He shouldn’t feel a certain way about it. This is a truck that does good, honest work, and I don’t mind a little dirt.
“I wasn’t going to let anyone else bake for my reception,” I insist, my voice taking on a haughty tone.
The drive is quiet as we make our way to Green Mountain High, but it’s not uncomfortable. And it’s exactly what I need. I feel like I’m recalibrating, resetting myself from single to married.
It’s an adjustment for sure, but one I’m happy to make. I almost can’t believe I’m married to Rook now.
When we walk into the event space of GMH, Mayer is there with a huge grin on her face. She projects her voice to be loud enough for everyone to hear, “Please help us welcome, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman.”
Everyone in the room cheers and the smile on my face is so wide that it starts to hurt my cheeks. The next few hours are a complete blur. I hug my parents and they congratulate me like this marriage didn’t start because of a will.
Sure, they don’t know about that detail. I’ll never tell them about it either.
Mom hugs Rook and my dad shakes his hand, both wear matching polite smiles. We might not be remarkably close, but it does warm my heart that they showed up for me today.
We dance, we eat, we enjoy being celebrated. It’s a wonderful day and so much more than I imagined when I told Rook I would marry him. This feels real.
After we say our goodbyes and Rook leads me back out of GMH, the stars are out and shining down on us like they approve of our union. As I glance up, I gasp while realizing that we’re supposed to head to the farm tonight, but I was so anxious that I forgot to pack a bag.
Rook looks down at me with a knowing smile. Gemma’s voice behind me has me twirling around to find my three best friends standing there, “If you just realized you don’t have your stuff, you should know we took care of it.”
I arch an eyebrow and challenge her, “What do you mean you three took care of it? Is there anything I actually need in the bags you packed or just lingerie?”
Greylin winks at me while Mayer shrugs and Gemma zips her lip and mimes throwing away the key. I eye my best friends with suspicion, but it’s mostly for show. I know they ensured I’d have what I need, probably more than I need.
And when it’s time to pack up the rest of my place to move it all out to the farm, I know that they’ll be there to help.
I step away from Rook and move toward the women who have grown alongside me, encouraged me, and helped me make my dream into a reality. I’m not sure if they reach for me first or if I reach for them, but then we’re hugging each other with a fierceness which makes promises that even love and husbands won’t stand in the way of our friendship.
We’re family and it’s not going to change. Ever.
“I love you all,” I murmur. “Thank you for always having my back.”
They echo the words, telling me they love me too. When I step back, I have to wipe away the tear that fell without permission.
We’ve gone through a lot of changes in our friendship, but this one is huge.
“Now go,” Gemma’s voice is low and a little rough as she pushes me gently back toward my husband, “and enjoy your wedding night.”
When I turn toward Rook, he offers me his hand, and I slip mine into his without hesitation. I’m more than ready to celebrate at home.
Home. With Rook. It’s almost unbelievable, but here I am.
CHAPTER 10
ROOK
I’m fucking sweating as I lead my wife—my fucking wife—up the porch steps. I can feel the tremor of nervousness as it moves through her body. I know she’s not scared of giving herself to me because I’ve had her naked and in bed several times since the night I showed up at her place.
