Page 50 of Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend (Chicago Awakenings #2)
March
S ure, most people might assume I’m the more spontaneous and “fun” one in our relationship, but Parker has also been my best friend for over twenty years now, so I think he’s learned exactly what sort of elaborate, over-the-top displays bring me the most joy.
And really, making each other happy is all that we've ever cared about. Now we just get to do it as partners, and soon publicly as husbands.
We’re finally in Bora Bora for the resort launch.
Our guests, aka our friends, family, and coworkers, are all here, though Parker and I got here a few days before everyone else.
We wanted to get here first to work with the resort’s event coordinator, Theodore, in person.
We did warn him ahead of time, but I felt better being here early, just in case.
He’s gladly signed an NDA, so we’re confident he’s kept quiet that the soft launch is no longer just a party to celebrate the opening, but our wedding.
Our surprise wedding that no one but him knows about yet, even though it’s going to happen any minute now .
Back in Chicago, we couldn’t go the very next day to get married like I had hoped because you need to get a marriage license the day before going to the courthouse.
When we filed for the marriage license, we realized it would be public record, so after some debate we decided to warn our heads of HR and PR.
We assumed they might have search engine alerts for our names, and figured it would be better to hear from us.
We scheduled an emergency video meeting to explain our plan and see if they might agree to hold off on telling anyone else.
Neither of them are on the board of directors, and they loved our plan.
After getting the license, we agreed to wait the couple of days until NYE so that we could have an excuse to celebrate that night without telling everyone about exactly what we were celebrating. We both put on our nicest suits and waited in line to be married. It was perfect.
I probably could have bribed our way through the process more quickly, but there was something really nice about going through it without drawing any extra attention.
Just two men in love who finally got their shit together enough to get married.
Especially when our commitment ceremony today has the exact opposite vibe, with everyone we know in attendance on a very difficult to get to island resort, with every flower and seating chart meticulously planned by Theodore and I.
Everything looks absolutely gorgeous. The huge all-glass indoor reception area is arranged with tables for dinner, a dance floor, and DJ for later in the evening.
The outdoor deck is set up with open bars, and cocktail tables are spread out through the space while appetizers are being passed around.
Elaborate local greenery mixed with flowers and candles compliment the romantic island vibe, and there’s torches surrounding the space as live local music plays.
All of the guests are showing up in their best island formal wear, and everyone seems very impressed by the resort and with how their accommodations have turned out.
“Is everyone here yet?” I ask Parker as I look around the room one more time.
I’ve confirmed that all of our relatives are outside on the deck, along with all our friends, and even Aspen and Sage made it.
We were only waiting on a few coworkers for the last headcount we did, but I think they’ve all arrived.
“Yeah, I think Bob from the board was the last one we were waiting for,” he confirms.
“Okay, I’ve got the microphone. Are you ready?”
“As long as you do the talking,” he mutters, making me laugh.
“Obviously,” I agree with a wink.
We both approach a small stage that has the band on it, asking them to please pause their playing.
They also know there will be a ceremony today, but not who it’s for.
“First of all, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for joining us all the way out here to celebrate the latest resort to join the Caldwell Hotel family! This really is a family company through and through, and I am honored to continue the legacy my great-grandparents started many years ago.”
I pause for the polite clapping from the audience and look at Parker beside me before continuing.
“I do have a slight confession to make, though. This isn’t just a launch party to help prepare the staff for opening to the public, and the photographers aren’t just here to take pictures for our website… ”
I pause again because I can’t help it. I love building the suspense as people begin to murmur amongst themselves. Parker laughs next to me, raising a brow and motioning for me to get on with it.
“Today will also be the first wedding at this new venue!” I announce dramatically, and the whispered murmurs grow louder as people look around in confusion, probably looking for someone in a wedding dress. As hot as I’m sure Parker or I would look in one, we’ve opted for tan linen suits.
“Who’s getting married?” someone finally asks loudly enough for me to clearly hear them.
I plaster on my biggest, brightest smile before answering, “I am.”
My mother is toward the front of the crowd, and it’s her voice that I hear cut through the crowd next. “You’re doing what?”
Then Beck, who’s standing next to her, says in the cockiest fucking tone I’ve ever heard, “Who are you marrying, Oakley?” as he stares directly at Parker.
Damn him. Of course, Beck knows and is just trying to ruin my fun when I’m attempting to be all dramatic and surprise everyone. At least he isn’t mad that I’m getting married first when he beat me to the whole engagement thing.
Then Parker surprises me, stepping forward to take my hand before answering, “Me.” He’s loud enough that he cuts through the chatter, and everyone falls silent at once to face us again as he goes on. “Well, legally, we’re already married. But today will be our commitment ceremony and reception.”
“Welcome to our wedding!” I announce again. “If everyone could please make your way to the beach to find a chair, we’ve got everything set up. Family will probably want to sit up front, but fight amongst yourselves if you must. The ceremony will begin in ten minutes.”
There’s more murmuring, and I hear a few phrases like “I didn’t even know they were gay,” and “Are we supposed to give them a present if we didn’t know this was a wedding?
” No one seems particularly upset. Glancing back toward my mother reveals Parker’s mom is now huddled with both of my parents, and they’re all smiling, looking excited as they talk.
Parker squeezes my hand, pulling me closer to him. “Was that everything you’d hoped it would be?”
“Honestly, no one yelled or seems mad or anything, so it was kind of more chill than I was expecting,”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“No… I just thought maybe someone would be devastated that I’m officially off the market for good and might object,” I joke.
“There’s still the actual ceremony,” he offers, making me laugh.
Beck and Cody approach us, interrupting any response I might have had. “So, you just had to show me up,” Beck directs at me, the smirk on his face assuring me he’s teasing and isn’t actually upset.
“You had a pretty dramatic year with the whole cult thing. I figured I could draw some of the attention away from you.”
“We’re so happy for you both,” Cody cuts in, his permanent smile even wider than it typically is.
“Thanks,” Parker replies, returning his offered hug, and I do the same.
“I am really happy for you guys,” Beck reiterates.
After another round of hugs with him, Parker and I promise to talk to them after the ceremony and rush to catch up with our parents, asking if they’ll walk us down to the beach.
My mom is already crying, and even my dad’s eyes look misty as they all eagerly agree telling us how happy they are for us, and that they can’t believe we kept it a secret.
No one is upset though, and as Parker’s mom walks down the aisle created on the beach with her arm through his, I have this overwhelming feeling that I know his dad would have been happy for us too.
Parker turns to face me with all of the love and joy I feel for him shining back in his eyes, and I can’t help but feel like we were always meant to end up here .
I might not have known to what extent when we met all of those years ago and I pointed out that we had similar nature names, but even back then, it was obvious Parker and I were always meant to be.