Page 95 of Consummation

I bite my lip and look away from Kat so I won’t burst out laughing at her expression.

“But love rejoices with thetruth,” the officiant concludes—a statement prompting Kat and me to simultaneously grin at each other.

“Honesty-game,” Kat mouths to me, making me bite my lip. The woman just read my mind.

“For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, but above all, love never fails.”

The snarky smile dancing on my lips a moment ago vanishes. I look at Kat and the earnest expression of love and tenderness on her beautiful face is like a mirror reflecting my own feelings back to me.

“And now, Jonas and Sarah have prepared vows they wish to say to each other under God, to be witnessed by you, their dearest family and friends,” the officiant says. He turns to Sarah. “Sarah?”

Sarah grabs both of Jonas’ hands and looks deeply into his eyes. She smiles a truly lovely smile. “Jonas,” she says softly. “My sweet Jonas—mi amor. When I look into your beautiful, kind eyes, I see the man of my dreams—my destiny. With you, I’m completely safe for the first time in my life. With you, I know who I am and who I hope to become. With you, I’m finallyme. Thank you for showing me what true love is, my sweet Jonas—for teaching me how to love with all my heart and soul. And, even more, for teaching me how to be loved. I love you, my beautiful, sweet, generous, devoted Jonas, and I promise to be your loving and loyal wife from this day forward, forever and ever, ’til the day I die and long after that when I hold you in my arms in heaven.”

The courtyard is filled with nothing but muffled sniffles and sighs as everyone, especially Jonas, processes everything Sarah’s just said. After a beat, Jonas takes Sarah’s face into his palms and kisses her so fervently, the entire audience collectively sighs. And even though Jonas is obviously jumping the gun by planting that kiss on Sarah at this point in the proceedings, the officiant apparently doesn’t have the heart to stop him.

As Jonas kisses Sarah, my eyes drift to Kat, my heart clanging wildly in my chest. What would Kat vow to me before God, in front of all our family and friends? And what would I say to her in return?

Kat’s eyes are glistening as she returns my gaze. Oh my God. She’s looking at me the exact same way Sarah always looks at Jonas—like I’m the answer to her prayers. My skin prickles with goose bumps.

A titter rustles through the crowd and I peel my eyes off Kat. Jonas and Sarah’s kiss is finished.

“Thank you, Sarah,” the officiant says. “Jonas?”

Jonas sheepishly takes a folded piece paper out of his pocket.

I look at Kat again, my pulse raging in my ears. Oh my God. She’s still doing it—looking at me the way no one’s ever looked at me before.

“Sarah,” Jonas begins, drawing my attention away from Kat. He looks down at his paper, his hands visibly shaking. “My Magnificent, Beautiful, Loving Sarah. My precious baby. My life. Plato says at the touch of love, every man becomes a poet. So I sat down and tried to write you an epic poem rivalingThe Odysseythat would adequately convey how I feel about you, baby—but, unfortunately, when I tried to rhyme about my feelings for you, I sounded like Dr. Seuss.”

Everyone chuckles.

Wow,I think.Intentional humor by Jonas Patrick Faraday.

“So I’ve decided to speak to you from the depths of my heart and soul, instead.” Jonas takes a deep breath. “Sarah Cruz, you’re the goddess and the muse. You’re The One, my love—the heart that sings my heart’s song back to me. I was lost and you led me to the light outside the dark cave—to my destiny.” Jonas shifts his weight, his chest heaving. “Sarah, our love is the wonder of the wise, the joy of the good, the amazement of the gods. We’re the greatest love story ever told, baby—the divine original form of love. You’re the air I breathe—the blood coursing through my veins—my very heart and soul. And I vow from this moment forward to dedicate my life to your eternal happiness—to love and protect you always and forever, to the very best of my ability—to strive every day to lead you to the top of your personal mountaintop and rejoice with you when you get there.” Jonas takes a deep breath, puts his paper away, and cups Sarah’s face in his palms. “Sarah, my beloved, the greatest joy in this life will always be the honor and privilege of calling you my wife.”

“Oh, Jonas,” Sarah breathes, clearly overcome with emotion. “That was beautiful.”

Jonas kisses Sarah, yet again—I guess normal marriage-ceremony rules don’t apply to him?—and everyone watching laughs.

Everyone, that is, except for me.

I can’t laugh.

I can’t move.

Jesus Fucking Christ, I can’t breathe.

I feel like I’ve suddenly been struck by a lightning bolt.My greatest joy in this life will always be the honor and privilege of calling you my wife.Oh my God.I’ve got goose bumps. My chest is tight. My heart is pounding in my ears.My greatest joy in this life will always be the honor and privilege of calling you my wife.

I look at Kat, every hair on my body standing up. She’s staring at Jonas and Sarah, a look of unadulterated love on her face.

Holy shit.

Kat’s The One.

Of course, she is. I don’t justloveKat. I don’t justwanther.I want the honor and privilege of calling Kat my wife.

She’s the air I breathe.

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