Page 28
Story: Sending Nudes to My Boss
Maybe Dot’s dad isn’t in her life anymore – his loss, not hers – but she has no shortage of strong, loyal men who would do anything to protect her.
We all love her. But only I get to have the title of husband. And I can say without a doubt that I’d lay my life down for her.
The wedding procession feels like it takes hours, though it’s relatively short. I watch Dot’s friends come down the aisle, ending with her friend Katie in a blue dress. That means any second now, I’ll see my bride.
The music changes. Everyone stands and turns. And then there she is.
Her white dress clings to every curve of her body, only widening out at her feet like a mermaid’s tail. It’s tight with a plunging neckline. It’s a daring dress, and I’d expect nothing else from the woman who took those daring photos and sent them to me by accident.
I don’t mind the dress at all. And the fact that every other man here gets to see her in it only bothers meslightly.Because even though they get to see all of this, I’m the one who is about to put a ring on her finger. I’m the one who will take her home tonight, and every night after that.
My eyes don’t leave hers as she walks towards me. Once again, it feels like it takes fucking forever. The wait is agony. I reach for her as soon as she’s at the altar.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Dot’s eyes widen. The minister wasn’t supposed to say that part. We discussed it at rehearsal. Without missing a beat, Darren speaks up from behind me.
“I do,” he rumbles.
Dot relaxes and I remind myself to say thanks to my brother-in-law later for thinking quickly.
The rest of the ceremony slips by. Dot and I opted for the traditional vows. Nothing fancy, nothing customized. I’m far too introverted to spill my heart in front of hundreds of people like this. I’ve confessed my feelings to Dot nearly daily since we first got together, and she said that was good enough for her.
“I do.”
“I do.”
The rings are on. I’m finally allowed to kiss my woman. My wife.
I take her into my arms and dip her in front of the cheering crowd. Maybe I kiss her for a beat too long, because soon thecheers turn into whoops and whistles. I put Dot back on her feet and she’s grinning ear from ear, her cheeks pink, brown curls askew.
This is everything. All I’ve ever needed or wanted is right here, beaming from my arms. She’s wearing my ring. She’s bearing my name. And soon, my children, too.
“I love you, Mrs. Lewis,” I growl in her ear. “And as soon as I get you alone, I’m going to…”
“Shhh. Later,” she says breathlessly.
“Later,” I promise.
We all love her. But only I get to have the title of husband. And I can say without a doubt that I’d lay my life down for her.
The wedding procession feels like it takes hours, though it’s relatively short. I watch Dot’s friends come down the aisle, ending with her friend Katie in a blue dress. That means any second now, I’ll see my bride.
The music changes. Everyone stands and turns. And then there she is.
Her white dress clings to every curve of her body, only widening out at her feet like a mermaid’s tail. It’s tight with a plunging neckline. It’s a daring dress, and I’d expect nothing else from the woman who took those daring photos and sent them to me by accident.
I don’t mind the dress at all. And the fact that every other man here gets to see her in it only bothers meslightly.Because even though they get to see all of this, I’m the one who is about to put a ring on her finger. I’m the one who will take her home tonight, and every night after that.
My eyes don’t leave hers as she walks towards me. Once again, it feels like it takes fucking forever. The wait is agony. I reach for her as soon as she’s at the altar.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Dot’s eyes widen. The minister wasn’t supposed to say that part. We discussed it at rehearsal. Without missing a beat, Darren speaks up from behind me.
“I do,” he rumbles.
Dot relaxes and I remind myself to say thanks to my brother-in-law later for thinking quickly.
The rest of the ceremony slips by. Dot and I opted for the traditional vows. Nothing fancy, nothing customized. I’m far too introverted to spill my heart in front of hundreds of people like this. I’ve confessed my feelings to Dot nearly daily since we first got together, and she said that was good enough for her.
“I do.”
“I do.”
The rings are on. I’m finally allowed to kiss my woman. My wife.
I take her into my arms and dip her in front of the cheering crowd. Maybe I kiss her for a beat too long, because soon thecheers turn into whoops and whistles. I put Dot back on her feet and she’s grinning ear from ear, her cheeks pink, brown curls askew.
This is everything. All I’ve ever needed or wanted is right here, beaming from my arms. She’s wearing my ring. She’s bearing my name. And soon, my children, too.
“I love you, Mrs. Lewis,” I growl in her ear. “And as soon as I get you alone, I’m going to…”
“Shhh. Later,” she says breathlessly.
“Later,” I promise.