They’re all wearing dark, three-piece suits with white shirts and blue ties. Kash’s stretches across his broad chest and tapers in at a waistline that I am all too familiar with. I can see Kash’s tattoo of my lips resting right above his collar as I get closer to the altar. His heated expression finds mine, and he gives me one of his patented smirks, running his hand through his hair, and that’s when it hits me.What the hell?
His hair isn’t tied back or hanging loosely around his shoulders like I’m used to;it’s gone. Well, not completely. It’s still shaved at the sides, but now instead of his signature top knot, his hair falls in tousled waves.He cut his hair.I was just with him yesterday. When did he have the time?
Taking my spot by the makeshift altar, I make room for Mara and wait for my friend to come next. Sneaking glances at Kash, I’m in disbelief.Why would he do that?
The music changes, and Atlas turns to the entrance. Walking with my father, Cora holds her bouquet of dahlias and smiles as soon as she sees him. Kash pokes Noah, getting his attention, and his gaze lights up when it lands on Cora as well.
Atlas never takes his eyes off hers, until my dad puts her hand into his. “Take care of her,” he orders.
“Always,” Atlas promises, kissing her lips quickly.
“Hey, it’s not time for that yet,” Kash jokes, earning a chuckle from their small audience.
Cora shrugs as Atlas rests his forehead to hers, and we all laugh along. She’s going to be so happy with him.
The wedding flies by in a blur, and I only cried a little bit as they exchanged their vows. They opted for their own, and I have no doubt there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“Cora, my love for you will never end. Even when I’m no longer part of this world, you will never be without my love. I promise to be the kind of man who deserves you and the light you bring to my life. I will always support you, protect you, and be the kind of husband you’re proud to have. I will be the best role model for Noah and our kids. You’ve made me a better man and have shown me that I’m deserving of love and happiness. I love you, Firefly.”
Atlas wipes a tear from Cora’s cheek as she takes a shuddering breath before starting, “Atlas, you say I’ve brought light to your life, but you’ve brought me peace, home and security in return. I always thought I’d be alone, but you show me every day with your love and through your actions that I’m not and never will be. You bring so much joy just by being yourself, and I promise to never leave you in the dark or take advantage of your big heart. I love you, Map Boy.”
Once the wedding is over, and their first kiss as husband and wife is shared, we head straight to a reception in an adjoining room. The bed-and-breakfast hosts have set up a banquet room with circular tables and blue cloths covering them. Little jars with lights and flowers rest in the center of each one. My parents offered to cater a meal for them as a wedding gift, and Emma was able to find someone willing to play music for their small reception.
My face hurts from smiling so much, and it makes me wonder if this is the kind of wedding I want to have. It seems like a lot of public moments. I don’t think I want all that attention on me. I just want it to be me and the person I’m vowing to spend my life with. Oddly enough, the one person who keeps telling me they are it is the one I’ve spent the last ten minutes trying to find. Normally Kash is attached to my side, but it almost feels like he’s been avoiding me.
We’re getting ready to eat in a few minutes, and I miss him. Last night, us girls all stayed at my parents’ house like old times, much to Atlas’ dismay. I assume Kash and the guys had some sort of bachelor party for him. Before I left, we had a very lengthy goodbye, and I thought for sure I would have seen him before now.
Rounding the corner of the room, I find Kash standing in a hallway by himself. He’s staring at his reflection, trying to tame his hair. His jacket is gone, and at some point, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. His tattoos are on full display, including my print on his neck. With his hair tousled, tattoos and suit vest, he looks incredible. Men like Kash should come with a warning label. “Hey, handsome. Where have you been?”
Turning to face me, he smiles shyly. This isn’t like him. “Does it look okay? DoIlook okay? God, you look breathtaking.” He looks me up and down. I was excited when I saw the style of the dress Cora wanted Mara and me to wear. It has one shoulder piece that stretches across my chest, and a slit up the side. It’s very feminine but sexy.
“Why, thank you, and of course, so do you.” Standing on my tiptoes, I run my hand through his new shorter locks, “Why did you cut your hair, Kash?”
Taking a deep breath, Kash grabs my hands to hold in his. He kisses my fingertips before he explains, “Well, I wanted to look my best for today. It’s an important day.”
“I don’t think your brother and Cora care about your hair, silly.”
“I’m not talking about them,” he murmurs softly, his brown eyes focused on me. “Am I meeting your parents today, Mila?”
He must see the confusion on my face. He’s already met myparents. He’s talked to my dad a bit, so I’m not sure what he means. “Kash, they already know you.”
“Yeah, as Atlas’ brother and stuff, but not as your boyfriend. That’s different. It’s more important.” His dark eyes carry a seriousness that I’m not used to.
My heart aches in my chest.He cut his hair to meet my parents?“I don’t understand. They already know you and like you, Kash.”
Running his hand through his now shorter hair, he gives me an unsure expression. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this side of him. Kash is always so confident and easy-going, but now he looks panicked. “Mila, look at you and then look at me. You’re so bright, sweet, and amazing. You own your own business and create incredible things, and then there’s me. The tall guy with a top knot, tattoos, and a less-than-stellar dating history.”
“Oh, Kash. You’re so much more than that. You’re kind and sweet, and you take care of those around you.” Taking his face in my hands, I pull him down and press my lips to his. I pour as much assurance into the kiss as I can. He’s so special and doesn’t even realize it. God, I hate his mother.
My poor, sweet man. I don’t deserve him. Sure, he started out as those things, but I’ve gotten to know him and seen a different side of him. It’s the one he reserves solely for me. Kash is thoughtful, funny, and incredibly smart. I’m not defined by my history, so why should Kash be defined by his? As I’ve gotten to know him, I've realized he’s not the man I thought he was when we first met. Sure, he’s still a goofball, but he’s grown into the man he was meant to be all along. I’m just thankful that he’s given me that part of him.
Kash's arms wrap around my waist, picking me up and pressing my body against him in a hug. I slide my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, stroking my tongue against his when he opens his mouth. My fingers find their way into his hair, and I smile against his lips when he groans as I tug the strands. Our kiss turns from sweet to heated quickly.
An ache pulls in my core, and I'm about to pull back when I hear a voice clearing behind me.
“Ahem. It’s time to eat.”
Oh God. I freeze, then slowly detangle myself from Kash’s embrace. Wincing internally, I look at my dad and nod. “Sure. We’ll be right there, but first, um, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend.”
