Page 125 of My Ex's Best Friend

I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling out of me despite the jittery flutter in my chest. But then, a sudden wave of emotion crashes over me, and my eyes well up.

Ellie, ever the observer, pounces on the moment. "Oh no, don’t start crying now! The makeup artist has weapons, and she's not afraid to use them." She gestures toward the artist who waves her eyeliner pencil like a knight brandishing a sword.

The makeup artist chimes in, her tone playful but stern, "Seriously, tears are my arch-nemesis. Laugh, don’t leak!"

Tammy steps in closer, her voice a theatrical whisper. "Imagine Jake's face when he sees you. He’ll probably forget his vows. Heck, he’ll forget his own name."

Ellie rounds off the thought, her grin wicked. "Which will be super helpful, since you can just prompt him with, ‘I do’, and skip straight to the kiss."

I reach out, pulling both Tammy and Ellie into a hug, a few tears escaping despite the warnings. We huddle together, a tight circle of giggles and sniffles.

Tammy, hugging me back, whispers dramatically, "Just think, Kiera. This is the last time you can claim cold feet without it meaning a trip to the store for extra socks."

I burst out laughing, the sound mingling with my tears, as I feel lighter and more ready than before. As we break apart, I wipe my eyes, avoiding any makeup catastrophes, and meet their eyes. "Thanks, guys. Let’s do this."

A few minutes later, just as the hairdresser is finishing up putting the veil over my face, Dad peeks in.

“Wow,” he says. “Look at my little girl, all grown up.”

He sniffles a little when he says it.

“Dad, please,” I say. “Don’t cry. There are strict instructions about ruining makeup.”

“Okay, okay. No crying,” he says. “Now come on, they’re waiting for you.”

He offers me his arm, and I take it gratefully. I don’t know what I’d do without my Dad.

As I stand at the top of the grand staircase, my hand resting on the ornate railing, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the moment that will change everything. My friends, now my bridesmaids, walk ahead, their dresses swishing softly with each step.

I squeeze his arm, a silent thank you for his support, and he leans in, his voice calm and steady. "You're going to be alright, Kiera. Remember, Jake loves you more than anything."

His words are simple, but they anchor me, and as we step into the open, the choir begins to sing, their voices a harmonic echo across the grounds.

Ahead, the wedding stage is set against a backdrop of the sprawling garden, the arch decorated with a cascade of flowers and greenery, ranging from deep violets to soft pinks, all shimmering under strings of fairy lights that flicker like tiny stars come down to join in our celebration. It's breathtakingly romantic, the arch framing the sunset as if the sky itself is blessing our union.

The guests stand as we approach, a sea of friendly faces turning toward me with smiles. Then, in the front row, I see Mom holding Wyatt.

She raises his hand to wave at me, the innocent gesture making me sniffle again.

As my eyes move from Wyatt, they find Jake standing at the altar, looking up at me with a love so palpable it feels like it reaches out and wraps around me.

His eyes are bright, his smile so wide it looks like it might never fade, and in that moment, my nervousness doesn’t just fade—it vanishes. Walking toward him feels like the most natural thing in the world, like coming home.

"Look at you," Dad whispers as we near the front, his voice thick with emotion.

Jake steps forward slightly, as if drawn by an invisible force, his gaze locked on mine. "You look amazing, Kiera," he calls softly, so only I can hear, his voice threaded with awe and affection over the choir.

The last few steps feel surreal, each one echoing a beat of my heart. Dad hands me over to Jake with a gentle pat on my hand.

When time comes to say our vows,

Jake takes a deep breath and begins, his voice clear and strong, yet I can hear the subtle tremor of emotion underlying each word. "Kiera, from the moment I met you, I knew my life was going to be a wild ride. You’ve taught me that socks really can go in the dryer without getting lost, and that the mysterious vanishing of cookies from the cookie jar always has an explanation—mostly involving you."

A ripple of laughter flows through our guests, and I can't help but giggle.

He continues, his gaze never wavering, "But on a serious note, you are my compass, my laughter, my heart. You've made me a better man, and you challenge me every day to rise to be the man you believe I can be. I vow not just to grow old with you, but to grow with you, each and every day. I promise to support your dreams and to respect our differences, and to love you and be by your side through all the days and nights of our lives."

As he speaks, my heart swells, threatening to overflow with love and gratitude for the man standing before me.

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