Page 112 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

The moment Ryan spots Sarah as she glides down the aisle in her huge wedding dress, he smiles, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him before. He’s not thinking about anything else other than how beautiful she looks right now.

I’m happy for them.

And just a little bit jealous.

As Sarah joins Ryan in front of the officiant, I look past them at Cassidy, seeing her smile waver for a moment. She’s still wrestling with whatever thoughts are in her mind right now, which means she’s probably still going to hop on that flight if we don’t convince her to stay.

“Welcome, everyone,” the officiant says, projecting his voice throughout the entire ballroom. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate Ryan and Sarah as they embark on this wonderful new journey together.”

As the officiant talks about love, trust, and devotion, I can’t stop looking at Cassidy. I can’t stop thinking about the fact that I would marry her in a heartbeat.

It would be one of the easiest decisions to make because I know I love her. I know I want to be with her for the rest of my life. I’ve known that before I even turned eighteen.

“Ryan, do you take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to choose her every day through good and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

Ryan smiles at her and nods. “I do.”

Sarah’s eyes glisten with joyful tears as the officiant repeats the same thing to her. She doesn’t even take a breath before answering.

“I do!”

The officiant grins to himself for a moment before clearing his throat and speaking. “Ryan and Sarah will now exchange rings to represent their love and commitment to each other.”

Sarah’s youngest cousin who’s practically her little sister walks up to them and hands them their rings before hurrying back to her seat.

“Repeat after me,” the officiant tells Ryan. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed,” Ryan repeats before slipping Sarah’s silver wedding band onto her finger so that it can join her large, sparkly engagement ring.

Sarah does the same and puts on his matching wedding band, their hands then joining together.

I look back over at Cassidy, my heartbeat quickening at the sight of her already looking my way. I give her a small smile. I already miss her so much.

Cassidy smiles back, subtle but real.

I hope we get the chance to talk to her because I’m not going to lose her without a fight. Not when she’s carrying our child. Not when I’ve been in love with her for years.

We’re going to put everything on the line just to tell her, but she’s worth it. She’s worth everything.

“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant announces. “You may kiss the bride.”

Everyone applauds and cheers as Ryan and Sarah step toward each other, their lips meeting in the middle for a short but sweet kiss.

I clap for them as they head up the aisle together, their hands joining between them. “That was a good ceremony.”

“Yeah, it was,” Tyler murmurs, looking thoughtful. “They really are meant to be together.”

Jackson quietly nods, his eyes trailing Cassidy as she and the bridesmaids step off the stage to talk with people in the crowd. He takes a step toward her before stopping abruptly, shaking his head at himself.

“We’ll try to talk to her during the reception,” I tell him, putting my hand on his shoulder to steady him. I know he’s dying to get this conversation done with, but this isn’t our day. We still have to be considerate.

Jackson takes a breath and nods. “I couldn’t stop looking at her. She’s so damn beautiful.”

“Yeah, she is,” I agree, my eyes moving to her as well as she hugs some of Sarah’s family.

I wish Ryan had more people here for him, but he didn’t grow up in a big, close family like Sarah did. His family is made up of friends, and a lot of them were right beside him on this stage.

Granted, I don’t know if he even considers us friends anymore, but we’re still here for him regardless.