The Chase is Over - Toni Aleo Page 0,26
sweet lips, and everything goes still. I’m just so proud of her. I’m spellbound by her, and without really knowing what I’m doing, I start toward her. Her lips curve even more as she walks away from her group, meeting me in the middle. I capture her jaw, kissing her briefly before I keep walking toward the stage.
“Rude!” she calls to me, and I laugh as I get up on the stage.
I tap the mic, and everyone looks up at me as I bring my lips to it. “Hey, if I could have my beautiful bride meet me up here.”
She gives me a look. “Why didn’t you just bring me with you?” she calls as she comes toward me. Everyone chuckles as she makes her way up onto the stage with my help since it’s a big step up. I lace my fingers with hers, and she wraps her arm around mine, grinning up at me.
I lean in, kissing her nose, and my heart is beating out of control. I look out at our family and wedding party with an unstoppable grin on my face. “I want to thank everyone for being a part of our wedding. This has been one hell of a wedding to plan, and I can’t wait to stand up there and marry my girl tomorrow.” I’m met with applause as Shelli squeezes my arm. “I know we came here yesterday for our family dinner, but I wanted to come tonight because when I first moved back, I used to sit at that bar and watch this insanely gorgeous and talented woman sing.”
Shelli beams at me, and soon, everyone in the room is gone. “I used to say I came for the free food, but really, it was for this astonishing lady. You see, I’d sit at the bar and tell myself that everything you sang was for me.”
“It was.”
I lean in, kissing her lips, and I hear people start to tease us, but I don’t care. As we part, I kiss her top lip before separating so I can speak into the mic. “I wanted you, so badly, but I was terrified. I would sit there and think, can I chance it? Can I give you my heart? And also, how bad will Shea Adler kill me?”
She snorts with laughter as Shea calls out, “You’re lucky you’re a good kid!”
I can’t look at him, though. My gaze is held hostage by Shelli’s. “I’m so extremely proud to be yours,” I say to her, only her. I look out at our families. “This incredible woman was chosen for the lead role as Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton.” Everyone gasps, but then as I expected, they start to cheer and clap for my bride. “I can’t wait to watch you shine, Shelli. Because, my darling, I can’t ever take my eyes off you.”
Tears gather in her eyes as I bring her hand up to my lips, kissing it ever so softly. I let her go to reach over to where my guitar is waiting for me. I put the strap over my shoulder as I meet her gaze. “I wanted to sing for you tomorrow, but I chickened out. Unlike you, I can’t sing in front of a crowd.” There is laughter as I strum my fingers along the strings. “So, I want to sing to someone whom I respect, whom I love, whom I am so proud of, and whom I am bursting at the seams to scream ‘I do’ to at exactly four thirty tomorrow.”
Shelli’s lip quivers as I start to play “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in an arrangement I made. Very acoustic and romantic. I don’t use the mic; I sing just for her. My eyes lock with hers as I sing the words I feel with everything in my soul. She inspires me daily, and I want her to know how much she means to me. By the looks of it, tears falling down her round cheeks, I know she feels what I feel. Complete bliss.
When I tear my gaze from hers, it’s to look out and see our family members have all paired off, dancing. I watch as my mom lays her head on my dad’s chest, swaying. I wanted nothing more than to be loved and to love someone the way my parents love each other, and here I am, singing to the woman of my dreams. I close my eyes, emotion choking me as I sing for my bride.