Page 14 of The Last Love Story (Baker Girls #3)

CHAPTER TWELVE

JADE

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“I’ll give you two a minute.” Justin pats my dad’s shoulder as he walks back into the chapel.

“What are you doing here?” I choke out.

“I wasn’t going to miss my little girl’s wedding day.”

“Even if it’s not?—”

“Don’t say it isn’t real, Jade. You’re in a beautiful dress, and that man couldn’t hide the way he feels for you if he tried. Maybe it’s not how you thought it would be. Maybe it’s for different reasons, but it’s still real, and you should enjoy every second.”

The thing is, this is what I imagined. Maybe not the location or the reasoning, but the dress, the way Justin smiles at me, the comfort I feel, and the whimsical romantic vibes are everything I ever would’ve wanted for my wedding.

I second-guess things. I always have. It’s part of that good girl side of me. I want to be sure I’m making the right decision, but I don’t want to second-guess this. I don’t want to overthink this. All I want is to be happy today.

“You really got on a plane and flew out here?”

“I did. I got in early this morning and went right to Justin’s room. With a little help from Zoey. She gave me his room number.”

I throw my arms around him. “Thank you. Doing this without you… never would’ve felt right. Whatever happens, I want to look back and remember you walking me down the aisle. I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

I step back, and he smiles as he takes me in.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. I feel beautiful.”

“You should.”

“Hey, you didn’t mention this to Mom, did you?”

He shakes his head. “Definitely not. When will you tell her?”

“I don’t know. Probably tonight or tomorrow. You know how she is. I don’t want her thoughts or for her to nitpick at me today. Even though she’ll have something to say regardless.”

“Well, let it flow in one ear and out the other. She doesn’t define you. You define yourself.”

I smile at that. I am who I am because of how my dad raised me.

“Today, I’m a princess living my fairytale.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of it.” He holds out his elbow to me. “Shall we?”

“Let’s do it.”

He pulls open one of the chapel’s double doors, and as we walk inside, my mouth drops.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting this.

It’s a small room with a few rows of white chairs.

The walls and ceiling are covered with tulle curtains, making it feel bigger and more upscale—and taking away any sense that you’re in a hotel.

Warm white strand lights add a lovely ambience to the room.

But it’s the large detail that has nothing to do with the hotel and everything to do with Justin that makes me tear up.

At the front of the aisle isn’t a typical altar or wedding arch. No. It’s the beautiful book arch from the signing. Now with added string lights, tulle, and flowers.

It’s my real world and my dream life colliding.

Justin stands in front of the book arch smiling at me, and I’m swept away in the whimsy of the moment and the peace in my heart.

I won’t just be happy if this is the only wedding I’ll ever get. I hope this is the only wedding I’ll ever have. Because nothing else could compare. And I’m starting to think no one else could ever compare to Justin.

“Are we ready?” the minister—or justice of the peace—asks.

Justin’s piercing gaze lands on me, and I nod.

Dad squeezes my arm.

This is all so strangely anti-climactic.

I thought I’d be nervous, but I’m calm.

Somewhere deep inside, I know this is the right decision, even if where it might lead is still unclear.

Justin watches every step, a huge smile on his face.

He’s such a golden retriever. Always happy—and he wants to make me happy.

Dad stops at the last row of chairs and takes my hands. “I’m proud of you, kiddo.” Then he kisses my cheek and turns to Justin. “Take care of her.”

There’s a surprising amount of emotion in Justin’s voice when he says, “I will.”

My stomach whirls.

There’s the anticipation and excitement I was looking for. And as I step in front of Justin and he takes my hands, I know I’ll remember everything about this moment forever.

The book arch looms beside us, more beautiful than I could’ve imagined.

This is perfect. If anything, it’s a shame the chapel is empty .

The minister starts speaking, and though I try to focus on his words, they’re more like background noise. My mind wanders, thinking of what comes next. Of going home. Being married.

“Love is born in seconds, but grows over a lifetime.”

The minister’s words— my words, from one of my books—draw me back to the moment. When I look at Justin, he gives me that boyish smile.

“What can I say? I’m a fan.”

The minister goes on, spinning off that quote into how love can grow and change over time and how important it is to help facilitate that growth. But I’m focused on Justin. The way he looks at me.

I don’t know that there’s been a magical blossom of love between us, but… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping we planted the seeds. Or are planting them. I want a chance—a real chance.

We say our simple one-line vows, then it’s time for the rings.

Zoey brings over two boxes and hands one to each of us.

I go first, admiring the beveled gray tungsten carbide ring as I slip it on his finger. A little thrill runs through me. A wedding band signifying that he’s mine, even if it’s only on paper.

I hold my hand out as Justin opens the ring box, and as he slips it on my finger, my jaw drops.

I’ve never seen another ring like it. It’s an oval diamond with a halo of diamonds around it.

Then on the sides near the top and bottom are a total of four small diamonds.

The setting rises around it almost making it look like a magic mirror.

It’s all set on a yellow gold band, which also has a few diamonds along the sides of the setting.

It’s gorgeous, but for me, it’s more than just a pretty ring, and when I meet Justin’s eyes, it’s clear he knows that.

It’s my princess ring.

And Justin, with his bright blue eyes, golden blond hair, and boyish charm, is my prince charming.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Justin eagerly steps forward and wraps his hand around the side of my neck, dipping his head and slanting his mouth over mine.

I inhale sharply at the burst of electricity, a tingly feeling that rushes through my entire body.

Grabbing his arm, I pull him closer, desperate for more.

His tongue traces across the seam of my lips, and I open for him. The second our tongues twist together, I’m lost in a state of bliss. Nothing has ever been more right. One hand moves down his chest, and all I want to do is untuck his shirt, feel his skin, and?—

I remember where we are at the same time he does, and we slowly untangle.

He takes my hand and faces me forward so we can walk down the aisle. My cheeks are flushed, and the color only deepens when he leans in and whispers, “Magical enough?”

I bite my lip as we walk down the aisle. Trish is staring at us with one brow cocked while Zoey smirks to herself as she claps. I can’t even look at my dad.

That wasn’t just a kiss. It was a kiss that wanted to start things. Create things. Change things. Magic doesn’t begin to describe it.

But because playful is our go-to, I smile up at him and say, “It’ll do.”

And it will. It’ll do all kinds of things to me, my body… my heart.

In case it wasn’t clear, I’m screwed. We’ve been married for less than five minutes, and I’m already falling for my husband.