Page 12 of Chasing Clouds

Shifting my gaze from Nate to him, I whisper, “Yes,” shaking off the confusion and again feeling spellbound by the depth of his green eyes as they capture mine.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have gathered here today to join this woman, Camille Odette Whitley, and this man, Reid Harrison Jackson, in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here who objects, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The church is so silent you can hear the cicadas outside in the trees. This time no one answers, and as the minister continues, I let out a sigh of relief.

The ceremony proceeds, but every word is lost on me. I’m going through the motions, but I can’t focus on anything other than the man across from me—his striking eyes, the way his fingers are constantly moving against mine, how delicious he smells, and that he’s doing this for me. I know this wedding isn’t real, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel completely surreal and I wasn’t living in the moment. It feels like what I would imagine a wedding to a soul mate would feel like—magical.

“Do you have the rings?” the minister asks. I shoot Reid a look of panic just as Grandfather, who has already risen, walks over and hands Nate two wedding bands. As Nate passes them to the minister, I glance at them and see they’re his and my grandmother’s. A small gasp slips past my lips—why does he have hers? I look over, and he just winks and nods.

Repeating the offered vows, Reid and I slip the rings onto each other. Reid pauses as he looks at the one circling his finger, squeezes his hand into a ball, and then raises his eyes to collide with mine as the minister says, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Kiss the bride!

Stepping closer to me, one side of Reid’s mouth tips up in a smile. I know this because I have to tear my eyes away from his lips to catch his eyes, those beautiful green eyes that make me feel giddy, safe, and excited for the first time in a long time. Gently, he lifts my veil, and instead of flipping it back over my head, he slips under it to be close to me. What had acted as a filter is now gone, and everything about him is vivid, sharp, and—just for today—mine.

Taking my face in both his hands, he lowers his lips to brush them against the corner of mine then pulls away, but only by the most miniscule distance. Memories of last night’s kiss flutter through my mind. Wonder is immediate, and heat races through me. Wanting to be closer, I grab the lapels of his jacket and inch up on my toes. Feeling me shift, he moves one hand to my lower back and gently pulls me flush against him. His lips connect with mine again and slowly, deeply move in a way that lets me know, up until this moment, I have never really been kissed. This is a fairytale kiss to complete my fairytale dream wedding. Every part of me tingles, and although this kiss is simple and crowd appropriate, in an instant I lose myself to his hands, his mouth, his taste. This isn’t something put on as an act just to keep up the pretenses; this kiss is real, and he feels it, too.

Applause erupts from the guests, reminding us where we are, and the moment is over.

Reid takes a small step back but continues holding me tight.

“Wow,” I mumble, and I’m rewarded with half-lidded eyes and a smile that’s just for me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson!”

Reid pulls the veil off us, flips it behind my head, and pats it down. He turns us to face the audience and we both smile as, hand in hand, we walk down the steps, up the aisle, past the rows and rows of people, and into an empty foyer.

“I can’t believe we just did that,” I whisper, his gaze shooting down to me as the church bells begin ringing and the front doors of the church are thrown open wide by people outside.

I pull on Reid’s hand and we duck into a small coat closet. I need a few minutes to myself, and I’m certain he does too.

“Are you okay?” he asks, running one hand down my arm and turning the light on with the other.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I peruse his face to see if there’s any hesitation or regret, but I find none, just concern—concern for me, someone he doesn’t even know.

His lips twitch like he wants to smile, and all of this is so overwhelming I think neither of us knows how to act or what to do.

“Why did you do this?”

Instead of answering, he shrugs his shoulders and runs his thumb along the edge of my jaw. I’m in awe of this man . . . complete awe.

Tilting my head so it falls into his hand, I step closer to him and rest my forehead on his chest, just like last night. How crazy it is that all this started not even twenty-four hours ago.

What if he hadn’t been in the library? No, I can’t think like that. I can’t think about the what-ifs; I can only think about how grateful I am.

Reid wraps his arms around me, and this is how we’re found when it’s time to go.

Stepping outside, the sun is so bright Reid and I have to squint to see what is going on around us, and I find Clare. She’s standing next to Ali, and there are tears of happiness shining in her eyes. She blows me a kiss just as Grandfather guides us farther forward and shakes Reid’s hand.

“Congratulations, son. I know the two of you will be very happy together.” He smiles brightly then leans over to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m very proud of you. Things always have a way of working out for the best—never forget that.”

I nod, not sure what to say. People have started to gather around, so neither Reid nor I say anything, just stare at him and then at each other.

“Why don’t the two of you head back to your house, change your clothes, and spend a little time together before the reception this evening.” He ushers us down the church steps and into the parking lot.

I turn to face him. “But, Grandfather—”

“No buts. You two will see tonight through,” he whispers, “and then we’ll talk about what’s next.” He pauses and pats my cheek. “Smile, it’s your wedding day.”