lot over the past few months, and I know that he and Gavin have had talks of their own. Only the first talk also included Daddy’s shotgun.
Our story isn’t perfect. It’s not the norm. But it’s ours, and I couldn’t be more excited about writing the next chapters. Together.
That’s what I’m thinking about as the ceremony begins in a blur. All I know is that when I see Gavin’s face at the end of the aisle, that’s all I need. I barely notice my friends standing up front, the family and the people who have become like family surrounding us in the small church. When my daddy places my hand in Gavin’s, something slides into place deep in my soul.
The only time my focus shifts away from Gavin is when we watch Ella sing a perfect and perfectly unique rendition of “Ave Maria.” A surge of pride that I’m starting to get used to makes my heart feel full to overflowing. When Gavin and I exchange teary-eyed glances, his look mirrors mine.
We exchange our vows, we give our rings, and we finally seal it with a kiss, but the ceremony confirms what I already know in my heart.
I’m his, he’s mine, and she is ours.
Delilah
The wedding is every bit as beautiful as I knew it would be. And I cried through the whole thing, just like I knew I would.
From Zoey’s daddy walking her down the aisle with tears tracking down his face to Ella singing “Ave Maria”—Lord, but can that child sing!—to the way Gavin’s voice shook through the reciting of his vows.
And their kiss? Perfection.
The only thing that marred it was Thayden’s grinning face on the other side of Gavin. He had the nerve to wink at me, sullying the whole sanctity of the moment. Has the man no shame? Clearly not.
He also has the kind of dimple I want to kiss right off his smug face. Infuriating.
I’m able to avoid him until after Zane and I finish the recessional. Abby is more than eager to switch partners, practically shoving Thayden in my direction as she grabs Zane. Probably to find another closet or hidden alcove. The two of them probably aren’t going to be far from a wedding chapel.
Thayden stalks, not walks toward me, and my heart starts beating faster. I swear, the man is looking at me like he’s a lion and I’m his next meal.
And I don’t mind nearly as much as I should.
“My, my, don’t you look beautiful, date,” Thayden says.
I’m not one to make a scene. I saw Mama do that one too many times. I’ve got manners, even if my upbringing has absolutely zero class.
I point toward Zoey and Gavin, who are smiling for a photo, Ella tucked into their arms. “They are the only reason I’m letting you call me date,” I hiss to Thayden.
“And I plan to make the most of every minute,” Thayden says.
Forget not making a scene. I shove him, just a little, and he grins. I forgot how much the man seems to enjoy me messing with him. And I forgot how, despite the fact that I know better than to trust a charmer, Thayden’s smile does something to me. I’m not sure I can make it through the night with him aiming that thing at me like a weapon. Time to set a few ground rules.
Seeing how everyone’s distracted, I drag Thayden by the arm to a side hallway of the church.
“Be still my heart,” he whispers against my ear, and my body seems confused as to whether it should be shivering or smacking the daylights out of him.
With a final shove, I leave him flat-backed against the wall.
His eyes are the green of Alabama spring grass. An impossible color. Gorgeous. They’re a field I want to run through barefoot.
For a moment, I lose my lecture. Ah, yes. The rules.
“If you think that me agreeing to this date means you’re getting so much as a kiss out of me—”
“I don’t plan on kissing you, Delilah,” Thayden says quietly, hands in his pockets.
All my fight disappears. Replaced by … disappointment. It should be relief. But it most certainly is not relief, which scares me more than a little. Did I want him to kiss me? The realization shocks me into silence.
Thayden is suddenly a different man in this quiet space, and I wonder if anyone else knows that he exists. There’s pain in those grass-green eyes. The dimple is tucked away, leaving only a ghost of a