DAYS LATER
I CAN’T HAVE AN ERECTION at the altar.
I can’t have an erection at the altar.
I can’t have an erection at the altar.
“I can’t have an erection at the altar.”
“Uh, I’m thinking you probably shouldn’t think about having one at the altar, either.”
I turn my head from where Ember will be walking at any second and give Cohen confused look. Shane, my other groomsman, is having a hard time holding in his laughter. Cohen, the bastard, laughs softly as he looks around the church, and shifts a little closer to me.
“You have been mumbling about not getting hard for the last five minutes. I figured you might want to shut up with all that before your bride-to-be makes her walk down the aisle or you’ll be saying ‘I’m hard’ instead of ‘I do.’”
“Fuck,” I hiss.
“Yeah, probably shouldn’t say that either.”
Before I can think of a comeback, the soft music, which had been playing since I stepped out from some secret room on the side of the altar, changes.
“Get ready,” Cohen whispers, straightening himself up.
I don’t turn to look at him. Instead, I watch as Molly and Owen start walking down the aisle. Owen, giving no fucks whatsoever, starts some weird run waddle thing. Hell, I don’t blame him. I don’t even want to be wearing this damn monkey suit, so I can’t imagine the little dude does either.
My mom, laughing softly, stands from her front-row seat and kneels at the end of the aisle. Owen runs right to her while laughing his ass off.
I look back at where Molly is still standing in the doorway to the sanctuary. Only this time, she looks annoyed that Owen doesn’t know how to do his ‘job.’ Finally realizing that the attention is back on her, she wipes the snotty look off her face and her beautiful smile takes over. Never one to miss a moment to shine, she starts tossing the flower petals from her basket all fancy-like, almost falling on her ass because she’s twirling with each toss. Hell, I’m shocked she didn’t demand to wear the tiara she’s been sporting since Ember showed her what her flower girl dress looked like.
She looks like a mini-bride. The white dress is puffed out around her with some shiny beads or something all over the top, straps, and skirt. But that smile alone is worth the ridiculous price Ember paid for that thing.
Molly’s had a hard time adjusting to my and Ember’s relationship. She’s always loved Ember, but when she realized what Ember was to me, there was some weird jealousy for a while. Ember took it in stride, but I hated it. Molly might not be my blood niece, but I love her like she was. Luckily, she realized real quick that just because she isn’t number one in my heart, she still has a big place.
It didn’t hurt that I spent four hours letting her paint my face and nails with all that girly shit. And took her to the movies dressed like a goddamn princess.
“Nate! I look like a princess,” she whisper-yells before standing next to Maddi and Dani on the other side of the little stage we’re all on.
I give her a wink but look away the second I hear the music change again and the pastor asking everyone to stand.
I can’t have an erection at the altar.
I can’t have an erection at the altar.
I can’t have an erection at the altar.
Then I see her.
The woman that, for almost a year, has shown me a love that almost brings me to my knees daily.
All previous thoughts disappear from my mind when I get my first good look at her. The skintight white dress fits her mouthwatering curves like a glove. The tiny straps at her shoulders look like they would snap with one tug by me.
Maybe with my teeth. I’ll have to try that later.
The small flare that starts at her knees comes up slightly at the bottom when she takes her first step, and I can just see the tip of a sparkly shoe.
My eyes roam back up the white fabric, following the intricate lace design until I’m looking at her chest. She takes another step, and they bounce. I have to look away before I embarrass myself.
When I see her face, though, that’s when I feel like my heart might stop. She’s crying, and even though I know it’s because she’s over the moon happy right now, I hate seeing her tears. But it’s the look of pure