Page 54 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

LYDIA

“ W here the hell have you been?” was the first thing out of Josie’s mouth the moment I stepped back into the room. A quick glance at the clock on the wall told me I was gone for almost an hour.

“Um.” I sent her a sheepish look. Behind her, Mila and Evelyn eyed me with matching looks of suspicion. I already knew my lipstick was smudged and so was my mascara.

“Did you do it?” Tasha asked. She was the only one aware of where I was.

Biting my lip, I looked at her and nodded. “I did.”

Tasha let out a squeal so loud I was sure everyone in the place heard it.

“What’s going on?” Mila looked between Tasha and me. Nothing could stop the grin that took over my face.

“I got my man.”

All at once, Josie, Mila, and Tasha crowded around and drew me into a group hug. I stood in the center, grinning from ear to ear.

“You did it!” Mila beamed at me.

“I’m so happy for you.” Josie looked on the verge of tears.

“Told ya,” Tasha said with a smirk.

“Your man? Did I miss something?” Evelyn asked, looking back and forth between us, confused.

The girls stepped away as I faced her. Evelyn was like a mom to all of us, but she was Landon’s actual mom.

I doubt she’d be upset about me dating her son, but admitting it to her was still a little nerve-wrecking.

“So, um…” I hesitated. “Landon and I are kind of… together now.”

Evelyn was quiet for a beat, her expression unreadable.

“Oh, that's old news.” She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. My jaw dropped. I was pretty sure the other girls were just as stunned.

“Wait, what?”

“I know my son. He’s been smitten with you since day one. Plus, after our paint class he called me to see if you guys had fun. He’s never done that before.” I just stared at her in shock. Landon’s mom knew long before anyone else. “He can’t hide anything from me.”

“So, you’re okay we’re together?”

“Of course I am.” She came forward and wrapped me into a hug. “You two are perfect together.”

Hearing her words made me sag against her in relief. She approved of us being together. I knew it didn’t matter if she did or not, but I adored Evelyn. She was the best mom and woman I’d ever met.

Our hug only lasted a minute before Tasha interrupted.

“As much as I love this, we only have a few minutes before the wedding starts, and Lydia needs to get cleaned up.” She nearly wrenched me away from Evelyn and directed me toward the makeup chair. “Do not move until she’s done fixing you up,” Tasha threatened.

As she flitted off to make sure Josie was ready, I sat still as the makeup artist came over. Her lips drawn down, eyes narrowed. At her disappointed expression, I gave her a guilty smile.“Sorry.”

She tsked before getting to work on fixing my makeup. Thankfully, it only took her five minutes to do so. She gave me a stern look that told me to behave before she packed her stuff up.

While I was getting my makeup reapplied, Mila pointed out that guests were arriving in the garden. Excitement filled the room as the time came and everyone started making final preparations.

The photographers for the magazine took pictures of Tasha fixing Josie’s dress. Evelyn was taking pictures on her own phone.

Josie’s wedding planner poked her head in to tell us it was time.

“I’m going to head down and check on the guys to make sure they’re ready.” Evelyn pulled Josie into one last hug. “I’m so proud of you.” Before either could start crying again, Evelyn slipped out of the room, leaving just the four of us.

“Thank you guys for being here and for everything else.” Josie looked at each of us, her eyes glossy. “I couldn’t have done all of this without you.”

“We will always be here,” Tasha promised.

“We couldn’t be happier for you, Jo.” Mila gave her a smile.

“I hope you know you’re the glue that holds us all together,” I said. Without her, none of us would have been friends. “We love you.” The others mirrored my words as Josie tried her hardest not to cry.

“Time to go get married,” Josie said, fanning her face, the smile there the brightest I’ve ever seen.

With one last cheer, we helped Josie out the door. With my hand hurt, I was on bouquet duty, walking beside Josie as Tasha and Mila helped hold the train of her dress.

We descended the stairs and came to the cove that led outside. The wooden doors in front of us were cracked enough that we could hear the chatter of guests and the orchestra getting ready.

I braced myself for the wave of dread I expected to feel at being here. It was the first wedding I’d attended since my own.

I still felt a weight of sadness and probably always would. Being left at the altar was a moment that changed everything. But after coming to terms with it and giving myself permission to heal, I finally felt a sense of relief. It would take time to fully move on, but I was slowly making progress.

“Jo.” Coming up behind us, the guys, minus Wyatt of course, appeared in their wedding tuxes. Trevor was the first to speak. “You look beautiful.” If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think Trevor was a little choked up as he pulled her into a hug.

Tasha tutted and smacked his arm, warning him not to ruin her dress.

“Wyatt’s going to die when he sees you,” Bryton commented as he hugged her. “So happy for you,” I heard him whisper.

Next came Landon. He gave me a wink before he hugged Josie. “I’m glad you’re going to be my sister-in-law, even though you annoy the shit out of me sometimes.”

“Guess I’ll take you as my brother-in-law. Could do worse.”

I wanted to snort at their interaction. It was so Landon and Josie coded. They gave each other such shit, but you could tell they actually liked one another. “You better be good to Lydia, or I’ll haunt you in your sleep.”

My eyes flared at her whisper. I only heard it because I was standing the closest. She pulled back with an innocent expression, as if she didn’t just threaten Landon. He looked over her head at me with raised eyebrows, to which I just shrugged.

“Can’t believe my first girlfriend is leaving me,” Mateo said as he approached Josie, practically shoving Landon out of the way. “You sure you want to marry Wyatt? Just tell me now, and I’ll get you out of here. I have a car waiting.” He pretended to whisper but we all could hear him.

“I love you, Mateo.” Josie yanked him into a tight hug.

“Technically, I did see you first,” Mateo mumbled. “Guess I’ll settle for being your side piece.”

“Sounds good to me.” The two shared a smile.

Moments later, the orchestra played a few strings, our cue that it was time.

Josie glanced at all of us, eyes a little wide, mouth pinched as nerves seemed to take over.

As Tasha whispered something to her, the rest of us moved toward the door, standing in our pairs like we were told.

We didn’t have a rehearsal dinner, but Josie did send out a detailed text of how everything would go and that we had to stick to the plan.

Because Landon was Wyatt’s best man, he was paired with Tasha, while I was with Trevor. Bryton and Mila would go first down the aisle, followed by Trevor and me, and then Landon and Tasha.

As for Mateo, he stood in front of us, adjusting the fanny pack around his waist.

Two days ago, while us girls were putting disposable cameras on all the tables in the tent, Josie announced she was going to walk down the aisle alone. A hard decision since her father wasn’t here to be the one to walk with her, and he should have been.

I only met her dad, Anthony, a handful of times before he passed. He would come to the office to see her and take her to lunch. Just by looking at him, you could see how proud he was of his daughter. She was the light of his life.

I knew today would be a hard day for her. His passing was brutal, and for a long while, she was just a shell of a person. Wyatt helped bring her back. She would have done anything for her father to be here to see her marrying him.

While he wasn’t in attendance physically, she knew that he was going to be right by her side the entire way. Even walking alone, that spot next to her was reserved for him.

We stood and waited as Josie took a deep, shaky breath. With a nod that she was ready, we all faced forward. At the cue, Mateo pushed open the door and stepped out. With my arm laced through Trevor’s, the two of us filed after Bryton and Mila.

The pathway leading to the garden made it feel like we were in a fairy tale.

Giant stones paved the way, beautiful trees along the side and bushes with bright flowers.

The weather was absolutely perfect for today.

Not a cloud in sight, the air warmer than it’s been.

Not even a small breeze was here to ruin it.

In a line, the bridal party walked down the pathway before the guests came into view. All the while, there were multiple photographers snapping pictures as we passed.

Catching sight of Mateo, the orchestra started playing, indicating the bride was on her way. Up ahead, I saw Wyatt standing under the flower arch with the minister. He was shifting on his feet, eyes laser focused in our direction.

Trevor and I were a few steps behind Bryton and Mila, so when Mateo hit the aisle leading toward the altar, we could see him reach into his fanny pack. I stifled a laugh as he pulled out handfuls of flower petals and began throwing them in the air.

In true Mateo fashion, he made it a performance, twirling in a circle while throwing petals and stopping beside some of Wyatt’s teammates to sprinkle the petals on top of them.

The guests laughed at his antics as he did it the whole way down.

As he reached the end of the aisle, he turned to face everyone.

With a huge handful of petals, he struck a pose and threw them in the air, letting them rain down on him. Taking a bow, he winked before moving off to sit beside his mom. Wyatt’s teammates cheered loudly while Wyatt just shook his head and smiled.

My throat closed up as Trevor and I walked down the aisle.

The last time I did this, I was the one getting married.

I still remembered the anxiousness, the fear, as I walked.

Like I knew I wasn’t suppose to get married.

This time walking down the aisle I felt lighter, happier. My story hadn’t ended that day.

Giving Trevor’s arm a squeeze, we branched off and took our spots near the altar.

He slapped Wyatt’s shoulder as he passed and clapped hands with Bryton before getting into position.

Sharing a smile with Mila, I moved so I was facing the aisle, immediately finding Landon as he and Tasha walked.

I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he was all mine. That I didn’t ruin it.

He met my eyes briefly before the orchestra changed songs. As the guests rose from their seats for the bride, the violins and cello started playing a version of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. The melody filled the garden as Josie appeared.

I looked away from her for just a second to find Wyatt. The way he looked at her, the pure adoration and love that was there, made tears spring to my eyes. I watched as his hands trembled at his sides, jaw clenched so tight as he stared at his bride.

Glancing away quickly, I looked back to Josie. She glided down the aisle, her dress billowing around her with each step. Her eyes never once left Wyatt’s as she made her away toward him.

I heard Tasha and Mila sniffle beside me, my own tears making their way down my face. So much for my makeup. I glanced back at Wyatt and saw his shoulders begin to softly shake. Landon reached out to touch him as Wyatt silently held back tears.

When Josie got close enough, I could tell she was trying to hold back her own, but a few slipped down her cheeks. I gripped the stems of my flowers tight in my hand as Wyatt stepped forward, offering Josie his hand.

The two shared a glance that said more than any words could. The violins and cello slowly faded as Tasha took Josie’s bouquet before the couple stood opposite of each other, hands intertwined.

The crowd took their seats as the minister started talking, his voice carrying through the garden for everyone to hear.

Halfway through the minister's speech, I looked over at Landon. The sound of the minister's voice faded into the background as I met Landon’s eyes. An overwhelming feeling washed over me that caused my breath to get stuck in my lungs.

I loved him.

The realization hit me straight in the gut. I was long past falling for him. I was pretty sure I passed that point ages ago. It just took me this long to finally admit it to myself. To finally let myself love someone again.

The longer I looked at Landon, the more sure I was.

He was the man I’d been waiting for my entire life.

Every heartbreak, every disappointment, had led me here.

To the one person capable of loving me in the way I always needed.

In my heart, I knew Landon Boone was the one.

It took me twenty-nine years to find him.

The way he was looking at me, eyes full of love, told me everything I needed to know. He felt it, too.

What began as tension, even hate, had slowly transformed into something deeper. I used to think what I had with Jared was love, but now I realized it wasn’t. Not even close.

An all-consuming, earth-quaking feeling that took over my whole body. That was love.

I sucked in a shaky breath as it all sunk in.

In the background, Wyatt and Josie shared their vows. I forced my eyes away from Landon to focus back on the wedding, but as Wyatt and Josie talked, my gaze kept slipping back to Landon’s. Each and every time, he would also look at me, a little smile playing on his lips.

“With that, I now pronounce you, Wyatt and Josie Boone, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the minister announced.

I grinned as Wyatt swept Josie into a dip and kissed her, earning loud cheers that rang through the garden. Tasha, Mila, and I stood together, clapping through our happy tears. Mateo shouted with excitement beside his mom.

Wyatt gently pulled Josie back up, whispering something that made her laugh. Slowly, they turned to face the crowd, raising their joined hands with bright smiles. Husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Boone.