Page 12

12

Jess

I would just like to point out that if every wedding has a Bridezilla, it was not me.

It was Ben. Ben the Bridezilla.

I could only imagine what he would have been like if we had months to plan a wedding instead of barely a week. He was slightly feral. Had single-minded focus. I completely understood how he managed to amass over a million dollars in the last few years by working the stock market.

He made everything we decided on happen, and I had no idea how with such a short timeframe and considering the fact we were only a few weeks from Christmas. Maybe the people of White Pine Summit were also afraid to find out what happened when someone did something Ben forbade.

“Arsen! Get the SUV. And a bat.” He looked up from his phone. “Does this place have bats? Forget it. Get some ski poles. They’re pointy. It’ll get the job done.”

“What the hell do you need all that for?” I asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me to get anything?” Matty wanted to know as if Ben asking for weapons was a common occurrence.

Ben looked at Matty like he had twelve heads. “I’m not driving my brother into a crime scene! You already did jail time, P. You can’t go back.”

“But I can?” Arsen mused.

“We ain’t getting caught. And if we do, you can call your dad.”

Arsen laughed.

Matty crossed his arms over his chest. “You aren’t taking my boyfriend on a crime spree.”

“Don’t be jealous, P. It’s good bonding time for me and your other half.”

Yes. I lived with these boneheads.

Every. Day.

Ben turned to Arsen. “Why you still standing there? Get the poles. And maybe some plastic. Blood stains snow.”

“Benjamin Hayes Kruger,” I intoned, plunking my mug down on the table. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“This,” he exclaimed, stabbing a finger at his phone. “The officiant I hired to marry us the day after tomorrow just quit!”

I gasped. “What?”

Ben gave me a smug look. “You wanna get the ski poles now too, don’t you?”

Arsen moved around me to tug the phone out of Ben’s hand and look down. “He has a family emergency and has to leave town,” he clarified.

Ben nodded. “Like I said, he quit. Tried to tell me I can’t get married.”

“He didn’t say that,” I rebutted. Glancing at Arsen, I asked, “Right?”

Arsen shook his head. “He gave a number to call and book someone else.”

“Maybe you should try that before you go on a murdering spree,” Matty mused.

“Yeah, okay.” Ben agreed and dialed the number.

After a few seconds, someone answered. “This is Ben Kruger. I’m a guest at White Pine Summit, staying at Snowdrift Ridge. I got your number from the traitor who quit on my wedding on short notice. I need someone to officiate.”

Could he be any ruder?

I guess he could. I mean, he was making a phone call instead of getting out the ski poles.

“Day after tomorrow. Two p.m. At this—” His words were cut off. Then he made a sound. “What do you mean you’re booked?”

Silence.

“Just tell someone else you’ll be late. You just gotta come over here, we’ll say I do, and you tell me to kiss my girl.”

“ Ben ,” I hissed.

He ignored me and started pacing.

“Listen. I’ve been waiting half my life to get married. It’s not my fault the loser that works for you can’t keep his commitments.”

I eyeballed Matty for help.

Sighing, he went over to Ben and grabbed the phone from his ear. “ Hey ?—”

“Hello? This is Matthew Prism, best man. I’m sorry about that. He’s under a lot of stress.” Matty made a choked sound. “No, he’s not been drinking.”

Arsen laughed.

Matty cleared his throat. “Are you sure you don’t have anyone available? We could change the time of the ceremony if needed.”

I held my breath, hoping for the best.

When Matty frowned, I expelled the stale air, feeling deflated.

Rush, Landry, Coach, and Bodhi entered the kitchen, all four of them going straight for the coffee.

“I understand,” Matty said into the line. “Could you take our name if you happen to get an opening?” A beat of silence. “I see. Thank you.”

He disconnected the call and glanced at me. “I’m sorry. I tried.”

My heart sank, but I smiled at my brother anyway. “I know. Thank you.”

“Don’t get upset, final girl,” Ben said. “I’ll find someone.”

“What’s the matter?” Emmett asked from the island.

“The officiant for the wedding just canceled,” I replied. “And no one else has any availability.”

“Is that all?” Bodhi asked. “I’ll marry you guys.”

“Are you certified?” I asked dubiously.

Bodhi grunted. “What do I need certified for? I just stand in front of you and ask you if you want to be married, then tell you to kiss.” He smooshed his hands together in what I assumed was supposed to be us kissing.

What was wrong with the men around here?

“It could work.” Ben decided.

“ No ,” Everyone else in the room said at once.

“But he remembered the kissing,” Ben said. To Bodhi, “Good looking out, bro.”

“Are you sure you want to marry him?” Emmett asked me.

I giggled.

Ben stiffened. “That’s the worst joke you’ve ever told.”

“It wasn’t a joke,” he muttered.

“I’m getting married in two days.” Ben’s voice was quiet and serious.

He was upset. Not in a Bridezilla way either but genuinely.

Crossing the space between us, I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight, pressing my face into the side of his neck. “We’ll figure it out.”

His arms closed around mine, and his chin rested on my shoulder. Something about that simple gesture made my stomach flip. I was lucky. I mean, I know he was ridiculous, but he also loved with his whole heart. I’d never seen a man run so willingly toward the altar.

“I love you,” I whispered, and his arms tightened.

“There’s a courthouse about thirty miles from here,” Landry told the room. I turned in Ben’s arms to see her gazing at her phone. “I’ll call and see if they have someone willing to drive up here,” she said, immediately lifting the phone to her ear.

A moment later, she was speaking into the line, her manners much better than Ben’s.

We all waited quietly.

When she ended the call, her shoulders slumped. “They don’t do house calls. They said you could go down to the courthouse that day, though. Whoever is on staff can do it.”

My spirits lifted a little. “We can do that. We’ll just drive down there. Everyone can come with.”

“They said only three people are allowed in the room.” Landry was sullen. “The office is small.”

I glanced at Matty and Arsen, knowing automatically that they’d be there, but how would I choose just one more out of our family? It felt wrong.

“Hell no,” Ben grumped. “We planned an outdoor wedding out there on that back deck with all our family and a view. I’m not taking you to some cramped office.”

“But it doesn’t matter as long as we get married,” I told him. “We can still come back here and have dinner with everyone like we planned.”

“I don’t like it,” Ben groused.

“We can come stand in the parking lot. When you come out married, we’ll throw some rice or something,” Rush offered.

“Jason, that’s so sweet,” Landry said.

“I offered to marry them and he wants to throw rice, but yeah, he’s the sweet one,” Bodhi muttered.

“It’s not what we planned, but at least we’ll be married,” I implored Ben.

Ben frowned. “You deserve better than that.”

“Let me make a call,” Arsen said, pulling out his phone and stepping out of the room.

“I’ll start breakfast,” Landry said. “Rush, get the eggs. Bodhi, get the bread.”

“I’ll make more coffee,” Emmett said.

“You’d really just go down to the courthouse and marry me?” Ben asked.

“I would marry you anytime, anywhere,” I confirmed. “The place doesn’t matter as long as you’re there.”

He sat in one of the chairs, tugging me into his lap. “Can you blame me for being so eager to marry you? You’re perfect.”

Butterflies fluttered beneath my ribs. Sometimes I wanted to pinch myself because I couldn't believe Ben was mine.

Arsen walked into the room, phone in hand. “Matthew, someone wants to talk to you.”

Matty fidgeted, glancing at Arsen for reassurance. “Who is it?”

“It’s okay, baby. Just take the phone.”

Matty made no move to take it, so Arsen held it for him, pushing it against his ear.

“Hello?” Matty asked.

His eyes widened and flew up to Arsen who smiled and nodded encouragingly.

“Mr. Andrews,” Matty said. He nodded at the phone. “Bennett.”

I heard Arsen’s dad speaking on the other end of the call, but I couldn’t make out what he said.

A moment later, Matty looked over at me and Ben. “Yes, that’s okay. It would be great.” He nodded again. “I’m sure. Thank you for asking.”

“What’s going on?” Ben wanted to know.

“I’ll ask now,” Matty said, then pulled away from the phone and turned to us. “Arsen’s dad said he can marry you.”

“What?” Ben exclaimed, so excited he stood, pulling me up with him, cradling me bridal style. “For real?”

Arsen nodded. “All he has to do is fill out some forms, and his office can push them through immediately. The ceremony and marriage will be official. He can even take your marriage certificate and have it filed with the state afterward.”

“He’d do that?” I asked, a little catch in my throat. How did I get so lucky to have so many amazing people in my life?

“You’re family,” Matty said.

“You okay with that, P?” Ben asked even though I could feel him vibrating with excitement. I knew he wanted to say yes. But he held back because he wanted to make sure having Arsen’s parents in house wouldn’t be too much for him.

Matty nodded. “Bro, yeah. You gotta get your marry on.”

Ben made a sound and rushed across the room, dumping me into Matty’s arms and then throwing his arms around us both.

“That’s going to be a yes,” Arsen said into the phone. “I appreciate it, Dad.”

“I have to say having a Senator to call when shit goes south sure is handy around here,” Rush mused from the stove.

Landry elbowed him in the ribs.

“I ain’t mad at it,” Ben hollered.

“I’ll text you the address,” Arsen said into the line. “See you tomorrow.” The second he finished the call, he smirked. “Are you even a politician’s son if you don’t use it to your advantage?”

Ben threw himself at Arsen, and the two men rocked backward. Arsen let out a surprised grunt, and Ben pounded on his back with his hands. “Bro. I won’t ever forget this. I’m sorry about half the stuff I ever said about you.”

“Just half?” Arsen mused.

“This is way better than ski poles.”

Arsen laughed.

Matty sat me gently on my feet. “You okay with this?”

I nodded eagerly. “I’m so happy everyone can be here for it.”

“Gram gets in later this afternoon.” He reminded me.

I’d become close to Gram over the years, her being almost a surrogate grandmother to me. Not only had she taken in and accepted Matty but me and Ben too. It meant so much that she was flying in for the wedding even though we told her she didn’t have to. It would just make the day that much more special.

“I know,” I said, feeling my eyes tear up. “I can’t wait to show her my dress.”

“I still can’t believe that find,” Landry said, sliding into the conversation. “Just wait until you guys see it,” she told the room. “It’s perfect.”

“Well, almost,” I said, thinking of the gorgeous white gown I’d somehow scored.

Considering my time crunch and budget, I didn’t expect to find something so elegant. Madison knew of a few vintage shops in Westbrook, and all the girls went one afternoon. I found a few potential gowns but nothing I really loved until we went into the very last shop for the day. The woman who owned it saw us looking at the gowns, and she brought out one she had in the back… and I fell in love.

It was perfect. The bodice was long-sleeved and made of lace. The neckline was plunging, which flattered my full bust line, and the long skirt was made of layers of tulle that fluttered and swished when I walked.

Against my better judgment, I tried it on, and I cried in the dressing room. I stood right there in the tiny cube with the skinny mirror and bad lighting and knew it was the one. The little girl in me who had hidden under her covers at night while her parents screamed and the teenager who’d looked around one day and realized the odds in life were stacked against her and she might never make it out stared through my eyes at the dreamy dress. And both of them whispered, We made it .

I guess I stood there so long with the past versions of myself that Rory, Madison, and Landry came looking. Then we all cried together.

They pulled me out into the room with the large full-length mirror and good lighting, and it was even better. Knowing a dress like this would be out of my budget, I asked the woman how much it was. She told me a price, and my heart sank.

But then she said it was in the back because two buttons were missing on the back and the hem had a snag. She planned to have it fixed before putting it out for sale, but she’d sell it to me for a discount in its current condition.

It took my entire savings, but I couldn’t leave that gown behind.

“What do you mean almost?” Ben asked, pulling me out of the memory.

“Hm? Oh,” I said, “it’s missing a couple buttons, and I need to sew them on. I thought maybe I’d ask Gram to help.”

Matty grimaced. “I hope she sews better than she cooks.”

“Don’t all old people know how to sew?” Rush asked. “Hey, maybe Emmett could do it.”

“Wasn’t so old when I beat your raggedy ass on the slopes last night, now was I?” Emmett countered.

“I like when you beat my ass,” Bodhi whispered, his arms snaking around Emmett from behind.

“And just like that, I have no appetite for breakfast,” Landry complained.

“Me either,” Ben muttered. I elbowed him.

“She’s rich, not old,” Arsen said, trying to steer the conversation back to less gag-worthy topics.

“I can help,” Bodhi said, his blond head peaking around Emmett to look at me.

“With the buttons?” I asked.

Emmett made a sound, shifting to wrap his arm around Bodhi and draw him to his side. “Goldilocks is pretty good with a needle and thread.”

“Since when?” Rush asked.

“Since I realized my life would be more peaceful if I sewed your lips shut,” Bodhi quipped.

Emmett grinned, and Rush rolled his eyes.

Bodhi turned back to me. “Since I’ve been taking all the design classes, I decided it would be good to learn the basics of sewing. You know, to have a better understanding of how clothes get made.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” I said.

“Well, I’m not great, but I can definitely sew some buttons.”

Emmett made a sound. “Don’t downplay it. You’ve been working hard.”

Bodhi turned shy, blue eyes dipping toward the floor.

“You really wouldn’t mind helping?” I asked.

He glanced up. “No. I brought a small kit too. Probably have what we need.”

“That would be really great. Thanks, Bodhi,” I said, offering him a smile.

He went shy again and turned away to get some coffee. Emmett caught my eye and winked.

“Today is the girls spa day.” I went on. “So maybe we could look at the dress tonight or tomorrow morning?”

“Sure,” Bodhi said. “Just let me know.”

“What are you guys going to do today while us girls are at the spa anyway?” Landry asked, dunking some bread into an egg mixture for French toast.

“We rented snowmobiles. So while you girls are getting washed and painted, us bros are gonna be ripping up the snow trails,” Ben answered.

Washed and painted? Just what did he think people did at the spa?

“Well, be careful ripping up the trails. You have a wedding to attend in two days,” I told him, going over to plop back in his lap.

“Don’t you worry, final girl,” he murmured, nuzzling my cheek. He hadn’t shaved, so his stubble tickled my jaw. “I’ll be there. Nothing will keep me away.”