Page 157 of The Wedding Menu

“You’re the worst.”

“I’m just saying, I feel lucky every time I look at you, and though you look gorgeous in that dress, you look just as good in yourI’m not as think as you drunk I amT-shirt. Or naked.”

Holding a hand on his cheek, I smile. God, I love this absurd man. He’s always happy, always positive and up for everything.

Except dairy.

“Not that I don’t love the whole staged performance you have planned, but I think I’d rather have you walk down the aisle with me.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his lips, resting my hands on his shoulders. “Open your eyes, Ian.”

He does, the light and dark blues warming up my heart and soothing my nerves all at once. “Hi.”

“Hello.”

When I step back, his eyes roll down my body. He presses his lips tightly together, blinks, then blinks again. “Fuck, Amelie. You…”

Are his eyes dewy?

“Beautiful Amelie.” He points at the bouquet. “What happened to your red roses?”

“Unpopular opinion: yellow daisies are much more beautiful.”

“Agreed.” With a nostalgic smile, he holds out his hand to me. “Ready?”

Taking it in mine, I nod, a roaring waterfall of feelings in my chest. “Fuck yeah.”

Maybe some people actually listen to what the officiant is saying, but I’m not one of them. I’m thinking about a million things, and even if I were paying attention, all I can hear is my heart beating annoyingly in my ears.

The view isn’t bad either. Ian’s in front of me, our handstogether since we walked down the aisle. I didn’t know the perfect wedding included storming in with your future husband, barely giving the band time to catch up, but I’m sure of it now. It should be a standard part of any ceremony.

The wedding is beautiful, and I’m sure if I bothered checking I’d find all the things I’ve always wanted. But I’m too busy looking at the one thing I want: my soon-to-be husband. He’s not listening, either, I can tell. He’s smiling like a hopeless fool, looking gorgeous in his linen suit as if it’s a second skin.

When the officiant waves her hand between us, we both turn to look at her smiling face as the guests chuckle. “I think the two of you are on your honeymoon already.”

I smile, grateful I’m wearing a ton of makeup when heat moves up my cheeks. “Sorry.”

“Have you prepared your own vows?”

“Oh.” I meet Ian’s gaze, and when he gives me a “Let’s wing it?” shrug, I nod. “Yes, sort of.”

“Ian, the floor is yours.”

Widening his eyes, he huffs out a breath. “We know who goes first, I guess.”

His mouth opens, his shoulders rising and falling quickly. He swallows, then opens his mouth again and shakes his head, an amused smile bending his lips, as if he’s surprised nothing’s coming out.

“I can go first,” I offer.

“No, no, I—”

“Really, I can go first.”

He nods, his shoulders relaxing as the guests laugh again.

“I…” My mind’s completely empty. Not one single thing. I think we might be here all day. “I’m not… great at making choices, but you, Ian, are the one choice I know for a fact I won’t regret.”

He nods, bringing a finger to his left eye.

“I have no doubt I’ll choose you every day. I’ll choose us over and over again. I’ll choose to love you and trust you and grow with you.” With a smile, I squeeze his hand in mine. “Whether or not we’re here because we’re destined for one another—if fate brought us together—has nothing to do with it. From today on, Ichooseyou. And I’ll do it in every big and small moment, in any world and any lifetime. You’re my most certain choice.”

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