Page 14

THIRTEEN

BAILEY

“I can’t stop crying,” Grace whines as I blot her cheek with a tissue. I’m trying my best to keep her makeup intact, but it’s a challenge with how emotional she already is. I don’t blame her though. I’ve been filled in on her history with Tanner, and how up until last summer, she never dreamed she’d be able to call him her husband. Now, she’s literally minutes away from doing just that.

“It’s no big deal,” I tell her. “This foundation is meant to last all day, even through sweat and tears. And I used a waterproof mascara. It’s not going anywhere.”

She sniffs, giving me a grateful smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” I reply, leaning in and wrapping her in a hug. “If you’re ready, I’ll let them know. If not, Dia has a car waiting out back.” I point a thumb over my shoulder in an attempt to lighten the mood. It works, thankfully, and she laughs before her expression softens .

“I’ve wanted to marry Tanner Lake since I was a little girl. There isn’t anything that could stop me from walking down that aisle tonight.”

I nod. “Alright, then. I’ll go get your dad.”

I head out of the room, trying my best to stay quiet when I see Grace’s brother, Riggs, on a FaceTime call. The woman on the other end is crying as he tries to console her.

“Monroe, you’re not a bad friend because you can’t be here. She understands,” he says. “You work your ass off, and you agreed to cover mornings at the boutique so Grace didn’t have to rush home. The only reason she’s even here marrying this asshole is because of you. So stop crying. I don’t want my date looking all blotchy.”

She scoffs loudly. “I’m not your date, Riggs. You’re the best man. I’m the maid of honor. That’s it.”

“Yeah,” he grunts. “Well you’re the closest thing I’ll ever get to being at a wedding with someone, so why don’t you dry it up and we’ll get through this together. Sound good, Mayhem?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” she replies.

Everyone says he’s a jerk, but that was kind of sweet.

I tiptoe past, telling Grace’s dad that she’s ready for him before finding my seat next to Jett. He looks amazing in his dress clothes, and my mouth waters in anticipation of what could happen after we leave here tonight. He said he wanted me to be completely sure before we had sex because he didn’t plan on letting me go after. I don’t exactly know what that entails, but it doesn’t matter. I want him for longer than just this week or this trip. We’ll figure out what that looks like for us later.

“You good?” he asks, kissing the side of my head.

“Mhmm,” I hum, snuggling into him. Everything about him makes me feel safe and cherished, from the smell of his cologne to the warmth that radiates from his firm body. He really does feel like home.

The doors open and Grace comes into view, slowly making her way past the handful of people in attendance. And although she’s stunning, I’m not looking at her. I’m too busy focusing on the man up front. Tanner sucks in a deep breath, and I watch his eyes fill with tears as she walks toward him, until he’s so overcome with emotion that he drops his head into his hands. His shoulders shake as he sobs, and I can confidently say I’ve never witnessed a love so beautiful in my entire life. Even through all the hard times and the years that separated them, they made it. And that gives me hope for my own future.

We sit through the ceremony, watching as the two soulmates vow to love one another forever. Surrounded by so much support, it warms my heart to see how the Boston Blizzard family is there for each other. I’m lucky to be a part of it.

Elvis pronounces them husband and wife, introducing them as the new Mr. and Mrs. Tanner Lake while the crowd claps and cheers loudly. The happy couple makes their way out of the chapel, leading the guests to the reception room to continue the celebration. We’re the last to stand, and when I begin to walk toward the door, Jett stops me with an arm around my waist.

“Hold on,” he says, spinning me to face him and taking my mouth in a deep kiss. I’m caught off guard at first, but quickly melt into it as he parts my lips with his tongue and plunges inside. I moan quietly, feeling the dull throb of arousal as it blooms to life between my legs. My entire body hums with electricity, like a live wire, as he kisses me, and all I want is to abandon this entire night and get him alone.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” a frail voice says from behind us, causing us to break apart. A gray-haired woman with two champagne glasses stands in the doorway, holding them up in explanation. “The newlyweds are getting ready to toast, and we were looking for the owners of these extra glasses. They checked IDs at the door, but if I could just see yours, I can give you these and leave you to…finish.”

Jett goes first, removing his wallet from his pocket and giving her his driver’s license. She checks it and gives it back as I reach into my clutch, fishing mine out before handing it to her. “Goodness!” she says, a bright smile stretching across her face. “Happy birthday, Bailey!” I internally cringe.

Jett whips his head toward me. “It’s your birthday? Why didn’t you tell me?” The woman sets our drinks down on a chair and leaves the room as he stares at me with a confused look on his face.

I shrug. “It was a big week for you. I didn’t want to ruin it by making it about me. It’s no big deal. I’m just?— ”

“Twenty-five,” he whispers, cutting me off.

I look up at him, realization hitting me like a speeding truck as his gaze burns into mine. “Twenty-five.”

He smiles softly as he intertwines our fingers, pulling me to the altar. Standing in front of me, he encases my hands in his and speaks. “When I was twelve years old, I made a promise to you. I may not have been the smartest kid, but in that moment, I knew exactly what I was doing. Even at such a young age, I didn’t have a single doubt in my mind that I hated the thought of you marrying anyone but me. So I decided right then and there that, when the time came, it had to be us. We may have lost each other for thirteen years, but I still feel the same as I did that day. It’s always been you for me.

“So, Bailey Hart, I take you as my not-technically-legal-yet wife. I promise to hold your hand in the dark and find the smoothest rocks for you to rub. To carry you home when you get hurt, and to kiss you whenever you want. To care for you and give you everything you could ever dream of, until my very last breath, if you’ll let me. What do you say?”

Tears stream down my face and I give him a watery smile, nodding my head rapidly because of fucking course I want him . But my silence isn’t enough. He raises his brows, waiting for the words.

“I do,” I say, crashing my lips to his. I don’t even realize we’ve drawn a crowd until our friends start cheering loudly from the back of the room. The girls run over and wrap me in a hug, as the guys give Jett congratulatory high-fives and fist bumps. Even though it isn’t a legally binding marriage and we haven’t discussed what things will look like going forward as we navigate a new relationship, I know everything has changed. A week ago, we were strangers. Tonight, I’m fully confident that he’s it for me. I’ve belonged to Jett James Kingsley since I was twelve years old, and now he’s mine forever.

“What a day!” Mads says, practically blinding me with her giant engagement ring. “I’m so happy for you!”

“I’m so happy for all of us!” I reply as we grab our guys and continue celebrating the overabundance of love we’ve been given.