Page 87 of Affinity

A soft knock on the door had us turning in anticipation. The little old woman, Bayu, who ran the wedding events at the resort where we were staying, peeked her head inside. The moment she locked eyes on me, a sweet grandmotherly smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “We’re ready for you.”

My entire being became hot, and I swear I started to sweat in places I’d never sweated before.

“Why am I nervous all of a sudden?” I wiped my clammy hands down the sides of my dress.

Taking my hands in hers, Catherine waited until I looked up at her. “I think everyone gets nervous even when they have no reason to. I was nervous, and I’m sure Alex was as well.”

“I was a riot of emotions. All I knew was I desperately wanted to marry Luke. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, you’re already married.” Alex laughed.

“I know.” I let out a nervous laugh. “But this is the one I’m always going to remember. Today’s special. We’re pledging ourselves in front of our friends and family.”

Shaking out my hands, Catherine nodded at me, letting me know I had this. “Let’s go make this day even more special so you can go on your honeymoon with that handsome husband of yours and tell him he’s going to be a daddy.”

Alex handed me my bouquet as they silently slipped out the door and went to sit with their husbands and family.

Squaring my shoulders, I patted my hair and headed for the door, ready to move on to the next step in my life. Holding the train of my dress, I walked slowly toward my brother, who was waiting to walk me down the aisle. The second I stepped around the corner, and our eyes met, both our eyes filled with tears. Paul pulled me into a bear hug and rocked me back and forth as if he was letting me go for the rest of his life.

“You’re still my brother, and I love you, dearly. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without you, and you’ll always be in my life,” I whispered into his ear.

He nodded, and when he pulled away, I watched as he swallowed down his emotions. “You’ve never looked more beautiful, Abbicakes. I’m honored to walk you down the aisle to the man who I know will make you happy for the rest of your life.”

“Don’t make me cry and ruin my makeup.” I swatted his arm and then swiped at the wetness under my eye.

Paul slipped a piece of cloth in my hand, and when I looked down, it was one of Dad’s old handkerchiefs. It had been so long since I saw one. My dad always had one in his pocket in case my mom needed one, and after they died, I hadn’t thought much about the little pieces of fabric until today.

“I thought I said not to make me cry,” I whispered as I tried to keep myself together.

Earlier in the day, Paul had sent a small package to the room I was getting ready in. Inside was a pair of light blue pearl earrings my mother used to wear. Now because of my sweet brother, I had both my parents there with me.

“Some days are meant for crying, and today is one of those days.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead as he spoke. “I love you, Abbi. I’m glad you found a love like Mom and Dad had.”

“I love you too, you know? Not a day goes by that I don’t think about all you gave up when you took care of me after Mom and Dad died. And I know you’ll find love one day. You just have to be open to it, and it will bite you in the ass when you’re least expecting it.”

He looked down at me with all the love in the world in his eyes. It was hard to believe he’d been so intolerable when he came to see me after my wreck two years ago.

“I hope you’re right. I think I’m ready to put down roots somewhere.” Paul smiled down at me and put out his arm for me to take.

Looping my arm in his, he guided me down the stairs and down a path that led to a glass walkway over the pool. The entire area looked out over the water with the feeling as if we were getting married out on the sea.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my husband as I walked past all of our friends and family. The smile on his face and the sheen in his eyes was worth everything we’d been through to make it to this day in our lives.

Paul whispered something to Jenner that had him crack a smile and nod in agreement. With one last kiss to my forehead from my brother, I stood before Jenner in the happiest moment so far in our lives.

Taking my hands in his, Jenner smiled down at me. His deep brown eyes sparkled with happiness and love. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The moment I saw you, you took my breath away.”

Emotion stung the back of my eyes, and I tried to choke it down. What was with everyone trying to make me cry today? “You’re going to make me ruin my makeup, and then I’ll be ugly for pictures.”

Running his hand up my arm, he cupped my cheek and rubbed his thumb under my eye, catching an escaped tear. “You couldn’t be ugly a day in your life.”

Excited whispers were in the background, but I couldn’t take my eyes from the man in front of me. My once reckless Hollywood bad boy stood in front of me in a white linen shirt and pants. His feet were bare, and I’d never seen anything sexier in my life.

“I know that look, and you’re going to have to wait until later. Right now, we need to pledge our undying love to each other for everyone to hear.”

There was my possessive man.

Leaning forward, I whispered for only him to hear. “You love it, don’t you?”

“I do.” He smirked.

---