Page 219 of The Friend Situation

I think to myself that this is how it was always meant to be.

Me and her. Just like this. Together. Forever. This is our new beginning.

35

CARLEE

Ikiss Weston deeply, pouring every emotion I have into him.

“I love you too. So fucking much,” he whispers.

“Ahem,” Hudson interrupts. “Just a few more things.”

I chuckle, still surprised that we’re getting married in the chapel on the hill. When I was a little girl, I told Mawmaw this was my dream location. Somehow, she made it happen, even though the church is closed for events from January through March. It wasn’t on my radar. I would have married Weston in her living room without a second thought.

“Carlee, your vows,” Hudson mumbles, wearing a kind smile.

“Right,” I say, holding Weston’s hands and peering up into his blues that swirl with love for me. “The first time our eyes met, I knew you were my other half. That night, we both felt the invisible string that pulled us together, and there was nothing either of us could do. I won’t go through the details because—let’s be honest—everyone in here probably read my journal.”

The crowd laughs, and so does Weston.

He hasn’t read it yet, but one day, I will read it to him. I want him to understand everything he does to me.

“Wes, you give me purpose, and I look forward to adventureswith you. Your voice, your smile, and how you laugh bring me so much happiness. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve made my heart pitter-patter. Being with you is easy, and my greatest honor is being your friend and loving you. Thank you for making me laugh, for waiting for me, and for bringing so much love into my life. Best friends forever. No matter what,” I whisper.

Our mouths crash together, and Hudson doesn’t try to stop us this time.

“Exchange the rings when you come up for a breath,” he says.

Lexi hands me Weston’s ring, and I tremble as I slide it onto his finger. He kisses me, then slips a diamond wedding band onto mine. We laugh as our mouths frantically slide together, and I wait for someone to wake me from this dream.

“Do I even need to say it? Ah, I guess I should. You may now kiss your bride.” Hudson chuckles and rolls his eyes.

“Should’ve started with that,” I mutter as Weston dips me back.

“My wife,” he says against my mouth, claiming me.

“My husband,” I whisper, tugging on his bottom lip with my teeth.

There’s a fire in his eyes that I want to explore. Weston Calloway can burn me to ash.

Hudson grins wide. “I’m thrilled and oh-so honored to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Weston Calloway.”

The small room fills with applause as the music plays. I even catch a glimpse of my sister and mom crying. Mawmaw is too. Billie and Harper smile, and Lexi wipes away tears. Love like this makes me cry too.

Weston picks me up in his arms and carries me out of the church. Carefully, he walks down the wooden steps to where a sleek black limo waits for us.

He sets me down on my feet. I thought we were staying in Merryville.

Our friends and family meet us outside. We exchange thank yous through tears of happiness.

“Carlee,” Weston says, grabbing my hand. His mother and father greet us with smiles.

“Welcome to the family,” his dad says, introducing his wife, who’s dealing with a cute little boy who looks just like Weston when he was a kid.

“I’d have thought my son would’ve introduced us before the wedding, but alas,” his mom says. Both of his parents and their new spouses are beautiful.

“Thank you so much,” I tell them.

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