“They’re ready.” Angel stops directly in front of us, smiling widely at Kimber.
“Where’s Harlee?” Kimber looks around, shaking her head the moment Harlee stumbles through the door looking rather flustered.
Her royal blue halter dress, which matches mine and Angel’s, is cocked slightly to the side and her entire face is flushed crimson.
“Really?” Kimber laughs. “You couldn’t have waited until after I got married.” She teases, clearly knowing that Harlee was out doing god knows what with my brother.
“Gross. Can we not?” I tease, reminding them all that the last thing I want to think about is my brother’s sexcapades.
“Sorry girl.” Harlee winks at me. “Your brother…” She raises her eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“No!” I hold my fingers into my ears, shaking my head back and forth.
“Okay. Okay.” Harlee holds up her hands on a laugh.
“Stop harassing the poor girl.” Kimber scolds playfully. “Now someone get me out there before I puke.”
“You’re not going to puke.” Harlee steps around Kimber and straightens the back of her knee length, white lace dress, making sure everything is perfect.
She looks incredible of course. The dress is elegant enough to really highlight Kimber’s beauty, but casual enough to fit into the Vegas eloping wedding theme. She left her hair down, with soft curls falling over her shoulders and around her face. Her tiara veil and natural makeup pulls the whole look together perfectly. She really is the definition of beautiful.
“Okay ladies. Let’s do this.” Harlee beams at Angel and then to me, ushering Kimber toward the door.
I’m so nervous-excited I can barely stand it. On one hand, I’m so happy for Decklan and Kimber. On the other, I’m extremely anxious to see Paxton for the first time since this morning. All afternoon the tension has been growing. The doubt has creeped in and lodged itself deep inside my core.
The moment the double doors open I spot Decklan standing directly at the end of the aisle. He looks amazing dressed in an all black suit, but in true Decklan style he’s left out the tie and his jacket is open. His normal unruly hair is combed back, and a wide smile is spread across his entire face. He looks like the happiest man on the planet. The thought alone is enough to cause my heart to swell in my chest.
Gavin is standing directly next to him. He’s also dressed in a black suit; only unlike Decklan he’s wearing a royal blue tie that matches our dresses. I spot Paxton next, standing just to the right of the two guys, wearing the same suit as Gavin, with a guitar slung over his shoulder. At that moment everything else seems to melt away.
I watch his eyes narrow in on my face and he gives me the sweetest smile before his focus shifts to the guitar. Pulling it around to his front, before I can even step fully into the room his fingers are working magically across the strings.
It’s hard to keep my eyes off of him as I make my way down the aisle, his incredible voice filling the space as he sings Marry Me by Train. I know it’s completely ridiculous and premature but in some weird way I feel like he’s singing it directly to me.
I’m enamored by his talent, by the way his words wash over me, by the way the sound of his voice causes my skin to prickle as I make my way closer toward him. Paxton is sexy enough all on his own. Strap a guitar on him and let him sing and he will melt the panties off even the most committed of women.
His talent is incredible. His sex appeal undeniable. He really is the epitome of a hot musician. Even knowing him as long as I have and hearing him play several times over the years, the sound of his voice still makes me weak in the knees.
Taking my place on the opposite side of the boys, by the time Angel steps up next to me I’m already fighting off the tears I feel welling in my eyes. Paxton singing this song only intensifies the emotions taking over me.
Harlee comes next, winking at Gavin as she slides in next to Angel and turns her attention to the back of the room. After a few long seconds, the doors open and Kimber finally appears.
Her eyes instantly lock on Decklan which pulls my gaze to him. I watch, for what has to be the first time ever, as a tear slides down his handsome face. In all the years I have known Decklan, I can’t ever remember a time where I’ve seen him openly display such emotion.
Looking back at Kimber, I see that she is also now crying, doing her best to keep her steps controlled when it’s clear all she want to do is run to him and throw herself into his arms.
She finally joins Decklan at the front of the room just as Paxton finishes his song. He slides the guitar off and sets it to the side before stepping up next to Gavin.
The remainder of the ceremony goes by in a blur. One second their exchanging vows, the next Decklan is kissing the bride. The whole ordeal takes all of five minutes and when it’s all said and done they are announced as Mr. and Mrs. Decklan Taylor.
We exit the chapel in a flurry of hugs and laughter, everyone so happy for the newlyweds that it’s hard to contain the excitement floating around the group.
Before I know it Decklan and Kimber are hugging us all goodbye and climbing into the backseat of a car that will take them to the airport. Kimber doesn’t know it yet but they will be on a flight to St. John is less than two hours’ time.
Taking one last look back at the small chapel that is now part of our history, I smile, for the first time in a very long time feeling like maybe, just maybe, everything will work out for me after all.
“Char, come on.” Gavin pulls my attention to where he’s standing next to the rental car, the door held open for me.
“Coming.” I quickly spin around and slide into the backseat next to Harlee and Angel.
My heart explodes in my chest when I meet Paxton’s eyes in the rearview mirror just as I settle in behind the driver’s seat. He holds my gaze for a fraction of a second before winking and then turning his attention forward.
I know it’s just a wink. Just a small stolen glance. But that one look is enough to reassure me. It’s Paxton’s subtle way of telling me that things have not changed since this morning. An entirely new onset of happiness floods through me and I turn to look out the window just as a smile takes over my face.
This has been an absolutely perfect day. Between the wedding, hearing Paxton play that beautiful song, seeing everyone so happy, and finally having hope of a future with the man I have loved since I was a child, I feel like nothing can damper my spirits.
For the first in my life I feel like the future I’ve always wanted is in my grasp…
All I have to do is reach out and take it.
Chapter Nine
Paxton
Charlie curls onto her side, nuzzling her face into my neck as she fights off sleep.
“I just want to stay here forever.” She kisses the base of my throat.
“Me too.” I admit, dreading the trip home later today more than I thought I would.
It’s been so incredible having Charlie in my arm’s these past two nights. I can’t imagine not being able to experience this any time I want. Unfortunately, Charlie is staying at her mom’s while she finishes school and I’m currently crashing in Gavin’s spare room since moving back from California.
It’s not like we can easily stay at either place together without raising some serious red flags. And while I have no intention of giving Charlie up anytime soon, I’m definitely not ready to make anything between us public just yet.