Page 20 of Searching for Sunshine

“So we just pretend like we’re madly in love?” I ask with a laugh, but I stop when he shrugs.

“It’s up to you, but I don’t think you remember how over the top they can be. Do you want to spend the next year explaining all of this over and over again? Our friends already know the truth and in my opinion, that’s all that matters.”

I think about it for a moment and realize he might have a point. “Okay fine, but Wyatt, wait, oh my god. We’re gonna have to kiss. For the first time. In front of the entire population of Crestbrook Cove.”

I feel my panic start to rise again and Wyatt reaches out and puts his arm around me. “Hey, calm down. It’s just a kiss. It’ll be fine.”

“I guess you’re right,” I say hesitantly and he looks at me, clearly realizing that my latest revelation is affecting me more than it probably should.

“Wait, Stella, this is really bothering you now, isn’t it?” he asks, and I shrug.

“I know it shouldn’t. I think it’s just really hitting me that all of this is actually happening. And now everyone’s gonna be watching and it’ll be weird.”

“It’s okay. You know, there is a really easy solution to this problem?” he says, and I wait for him to elaborate.

“Why don’t we just have our first kiss now?”

I blink at him, waiting for him to laugh, but when he doesn’t, I realize it’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard. “Wait, is it weird that I don’t hate that idea? Not because I’m dying to make out with you or anything. I know this whole marriage thing is just a friendship thing, but what if we don’t and we go to kiss during the ceremony and everyone can tell it’s the first time? Or we could—” I’m rambling and before I can finish, Wyatt leans down and drops a gentle kiss on my mouth.

I freeze, completely taken aback before my mind finally catches up to what’s going on and I relax into the kiss. I get lost in the kiss for a brief moment and all I can think about is how good his mouth feels on mine. It probably doesn’t last more than twenty seconds, but when we both pull back I can’t help but feel a little off-kilter before focusing on giving myself a mental peptalk.It’s not anything romantic, Stella. You just haven’t kissed a guy in years. It doesn’t mean anything.

“Not too bad, huh?” Wyatt teases, and I can’t help but laugh.

“No, I think we’re good on that front,” I admit before looking out at the now empty dock. “I guess Avery and Trent managed to get everyone moved out of the way.”

“Yep, so I guess that’s our cue. Are you ready to get married?”

“Let’s do this thing, hubby.”

“Last chance tomake a run for it,” Avery teases, as music starts playing on the deck from a sound system one of the locals showed up with a few minutes ago. Clearly this town is way more prepared for my wedding than I am.

“Nope, I’m good. Plus, I don’t think I’d get very far even if I wanted to. There’s probably three hundred people out there, Aves,” I point out, and Avery grimaces.

“Yeah, they just kinda kept showing up didn’t they? I can’t believe one of them brought microphones so they could hear the ceremony from the shore too. I can’t believe how fast they pulled all of this together.”

“Me either,” I admit before taking a deep breath and saying, “okay, I think it’s time. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Perfect. I know this isn’t a real wedding, but you look gorgeous as a bride, Stels.”

I smile at her as she walks out of the small office. I take a moment to steady myself before grabbing the small bouquet Miss Clara brought me and follow her down the makeshift aisle.

I can tell the shore is stacked with people, but I try to ignore it, forcing myself to look straight ahead to where Avery, Wyatt, Bennett, Trent, and Everett are waiting for me at the end of the dock.

After what feels like forever, I’m close enough for Wyatt to reach out and take my hand, and I can almost feel my body sag in relief. I’ve never been someone that wants all the attention on myself, and all of the eyes behind us are enough to have me feeling on edge already.

“Good afternoon, everyone, you may be seated,” Trent says. Even with my back to the crowd, I hear the shuffle of hundreds of people sitting down in their lawn chairs.

“We’re gathered here today to celebrate the marriage between Stella Hale and Wyatt Robinson.” Trent starts, and I zone out for a moment as he welcomes everyone.

After a few minutes, he says, “If anyone has any objections to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

I freeze when I hear yelling behind us. I swear, if some ex-girlfriend showed up to stop him from marrying me, I’m going to lose my mind. This is my only shot at keeping the hotel, and now that I’m back, I can’t imagine it in anyone else’s hands.

I turn, expecting to see a woman our age making her way down the pier, but instead I see one of the older ladies waving her cane around in protest.

“Fucking hell, Miss Eleanor,” Wyatt mutters under his breath, and I give him a strange look.

“She’s one of Miss Clara’s friends from the knitting club. She’s the biggest flirt I’ve ever met, and apparently she has a little crush on me that she won’t let go,” Wyatt explains, and I look back at the lady to make sure we’re talking about the same person.

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