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twenty-nine

Cole

I haven’t been to many weddings in my life, but I know I’ve never seen one this ornate, elegant, and… Christmas-y.

Both Josh and Ella love Christmas. That’s why they’re getting married today—it’s not just the offseason; it’s also the season when they met, and their favorite holiday is only days away. And this year, they’ll be spending it as newlyweds in Bora Bora.

Even their wedding decor has a festive feel. Behind the officiant is a wall of white string lights with garland strung along the top. The aisle is set with a red runner, poinsettias, and candles. The roof is strung with even more white string lights laid over top of billowy, white fabric.

It’s honestly beautiful.

And very them .

It feels like we’re dressed for the holiday occasion as well. Josh is in standard black, but Lane, Knox, and I are in deep green three-piece suits.

Josh has never been more at ease than he was this morning. We expected him to be nervous—pre-wedding jitters are a normal feeling even when you aren’t actually worried. But he’s been nothing but smiles today, telling us repeatedly how he can’t wait to finally marry Ella.

And for the first time since I met him, I’m not envious.

I finally have my girl.

I haven’t said anything to the guys yet since Rory and I agreed we wouldn’t, but when I went from a sulking drunk at the bachelor party to a rowdy and joyous motherfucker this morning, I’d be shocked if any of them were surprised when they find out tomorrow.

Now that the guests have all found their seats, we’re standing at the front of the room, Central Park visible through the large, glass windows. There’s a light snow on the ground with more flurrying through the air, creating a winter wonderland outside.

Josh and Lane are talking to the officiant right now as we wait for the ceremony to begin. Since that leaves us both unoccupied, Knox leans closer to me.

“You seem pretty damn happy today, Pierce,” he says.

“Just in a good mood,” I reply, keeping my face forward to avoid giving myself away.

Knox lowers his voice. “I’m guessing you listened to Lo last night and had a nice talk with Rory.”

“The decorations are nice, aren’t they?” I deflect as I feel heat creep across my cheeks. The altar of our friend’s wedding is not the place I’m going to talk about having sex with my girlfriend last night.

Knox’s laughter is silenced by music, signaling the start of the ceremony.

Once the moms are ushered to their seats at the front, Sage dashes to the center of the open doorway, dark red tulle on the skirt of her flower girl dress flowing behind her. There’s a small chorus of laughter from our friends still behind the wall before Harlow gets into her position behind Sage, slowly helping her down the aisle as she tosses clumps of red rose petals on the floor.

I can hear Knox let out an uneven breath behind me. “God, I’m so fucking lucky,” he whispers, barely loud enough for me to hear.

I can’t help but smile. Harlow found a man who worships the ground she walks on, and she deserves absolutely nothing less. Did I think she’d find that with one of my best friends? No, but I wouldn’t change that. They’re both stupidly happy together.

When Lo and Sage are about halfway down the aisle, Rory appears in the entryway as she starts her way forward.

And fuck me , she’s beautiful.

Her curly hair is set in a bun at the nape of her neck, with a few loose strands framing her face. The deep red dress she’s wearing hugs her curves, and the high slit shows her leg as she walks.

I’ve always found her attractive, but she’s absolutely breathtaking right now.

Rory’s eyes catch mine for a moment, and my heart skips a beat. I keep my composure because the last thing I need is for anyone to notice.

Especially when Skip is sitting in the second row.

The procession continues, and Lucia joins Rory and Lo at the front. Once we’re all in position, the music changes to an instrumental love song as we all wait for the bride.

When she appears with her father, the crowd collectively gasps. Seeing Ella in a ballgown was to be expected—that’s just who she is. What I didn’t expect was just how much glitter was going to be involved. She could rival a disco ball with the way the light reflects off of her.

It’s all very Ella, and she’s never seemed happier.

I hear a sniffle and look over at Josh, who is dabbing his eyes as he watches his wife-to-be walk down the aisle to him.

I can’t help but wonder what I’d do in that situation. Would I be crying, too? Would I be wiping my own tears away as I watch my future wife walk down the aisle?

Then, another thought strikes me.

I think I did just watch that.

It’s not my own wedding, but I just watched Rory walk down the aisle, my eyes on her the entire time. My only thoughts being about how beautiful she is.

I told Ari last weekend that if I ever fall in love, it will be with Rory Fisher.

And I’m already falling…

After the ceremony, the wedding party goes off into snowy Central Park for pictures while the guests enjoy cocktail hour.

When we finish our portion of the pictures, Josh and Ella go off on their own while the rest of us return to the bridal suite to warm up and enjoy some of our cocktails.

Rory’s made sure to keep a healthy enough distance between us so as not to raise any suspicion, but now’s my opportunity. Harlow is currently cuddling with Knox on the couch. Lane and Lucia are both playing with Sage. And my girlfriend is alone over by the small bar.

I slide in behind her, wrapping my arm low around her back and whispering against her ear. “God, I can’t wait to fuck you tonight.”

“Looking forward to it,” she smiles, taking a sip of her red wine. Merlot, I think.

I return her smile. “You look incredible, baby. It was so hard not to just stare at you during the processional.”

Rory’s face is mischievous. “I’m sure it was very hard for you, Sparrow. You seem to always have it hard around me.”

“You’re devious.”

“I told you before that I’m not a good girl,” she goads. Leaning closer, she lowly adds, “It’s so much more fun to be Daddy’s little slut.”

That’s a kink I didn’t know I had until last night.

“Keep it up,” I breathe, “and I’ll find us a closet. You’re a fucking temptress.”

She lightly laughs before changing the subject. “This is such a beautiful wedding.”

“It is,” I say. “Very festive, too.”

“You won’t hear me complain,” Rory laughs. “I love Christmas.”

“I know you do. That’s why my apartment was decorated when I invited you over a few weeks ago.”

She eyes me. “The night I said we would ‘get it out of our systems?’”

I laugh heartily. “Yeah, I lied about that. I knew it wouldn’t work. But I wasn’t going to miss my opportunity to get to know how you taste.”

Her cheeks flush as she tries to maintain her composure. “Moving on…” she stammers while I chuckle. “Do you want to get married one day?”

“Is the sex so good that you’re proposing when we haven’t even been together a full day, Rory?” I tease. “I’m flattered.”

She elbows me as she rolls her eyes. “You’re impossible. I’m not suggesting that. We need to spend some time together before I let you put a ring on my finger.”

She’s not wrong, but I imagine it anyway.

I picture Rory with a large diamond on her left ring finger.

And I just smile.

The smile etched on her face tells me she might be imagining it, too.

Before we can say anything else, Josh and Ella burst into the room. “What’s up, bitches?” Ella yells.

“Ish!” Sage parrots back.

“Perfect,” Lane grumbles. “A new swear word. Just what she needed.”

“Sorry, man,” Josh says, slapping a hand on Lane’s shoulder. “But you know how my wife is.”

“Oh my God, I love that word,” Ella swoons. Josh pulls her in for a kiss as we all holler and cheer.

Lucia raises her glass. “Alright, ladies, gents… and Josh,” she smirks, looking right at him.

“What the hell? Aren’t you supposed to be nice to me on my wedding day?”

Ella whispers to him, not nearly as softly as she thinks. “Don’t worry, Joshy. I’ll be very nice to you later.”

Lane loudly claps his hands together. “And that’s enough of that.”

We all laugh before Lucia speaks up again. “Let’s go get our party on!”