Page 180 of Forever

“I think he remembers,” I said.

Justin shrieked again. “He is the hottest man I’ve ever been with. Should I go talk to him? I think I should go talk to him…”

“Justin?”

“Yes?”

“I think it’s your turn to walk down the aisle.”

“Oh my God. You’re right. It’s such a tease move. He won’t be able to keep his eyes off me.” He spun toward Nigel. “Please, Nigel. Hold my hand. I want Donnelley as jealous as possible.” He put his hand out for Nigel.

Nigel sighed. “Put your arm though mine. Final offer.”

“Deal.” Justin slid his arm through Nigel’s and Nigel escorted him to the doors.

“And Brooklyn?” Justin said over his shoulder. “In exactly 30 seconds, the music will change. Send the ring bearer and flower girls out at 35. And you start walking 30 seconds after that. Or really just whenever they make it to the altar. So that all eyes are on you instead of on the adorable kids.” He patted Jacob’s head. “Okay?”

I nodded and then the door closed. I started counting but then my father pushed up his sleeve to look at his watch. My father had this covered, so I pushed the curtains aside again. Everyone seemed to be laughing at Nigel and Justin walking down the aisle. But I saw Donnelley staring. I smiled and looked back at Matt. He was laughing too.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s 30 seconds,” my dad said. “Jacob, you and the girls are almost up.”

“Come on, Scarlett, come on, Sophie.” Jacob waved them over to the door.

The girls looked so cute in their frilly little dresses. They each had a basket filled with yellow rose petals.

And even though they’d practiced walking separately, Jacob put his arms out like he’d seen the other men do. Each girl linked an arm with Jacob. He looked like such a little stud between them.

“And 35,” my dad said and opened the door. “You’re on.”

Jacob escorted them both out the door. I could hear all the “aws” before the doors closed.

In 30 seconds I’d be walking down the aisle to Matt. It was weird. I thought I’d be nervous. But I’d never been more sure of anything in my life. I was about to marry Matthew Caldwell. I was going to be Brooklyn Caldwell. I’d remembered doodling that in my notebooks back at Empire High. I felt tears welling in my eyes. In a thousand years, I never thought today would come. But here we were. Together after everything in the world had tried to keep us apart. It felt like fate. Twisted and cruel fate, but fate nonetheless.

My dad peeked out the door. “They’re just about there.” He glanced at his watch. “Perfect timing too.” He put his arm out for me. “It’s time.”

I wasn’t sure how I was going to hold it together. I was already blinking fast to keep my tears at bay. But putting my arm though my dad’s calmed me down.

He opened the door and we stepped out.

I heard a few gasps. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my dress or because of my dad’s presence. I was too focused on the song that was playing. I recognized it right away. It was an instrumental string version ofMy Dirty Little Secret.Yeah, I was definitely not going to get through this without crying. Matt and I had been so busy, we didn’t have much time to think about music. But Tanner had mentioned something about handling it. He’d done this.Honestly, I wasn’t even sure a string version had existed before. He really could make anything happen.

The chairs were full of people, but I didn’t truly see any of them. My eyes were focused on Matt. He rubbed the tip of his nose with his index finger.

Our signal.I was smiling so hard it hurt.

Walking up to him right now, I couldn’t believe I’d stayed away for 16 years. I couldn’t believe all the pain I’d caused him. I’d spend the rest of my life making it up to him.

When I got closer, I realized there were tears in Matt’s eyes.

God, he was going to make me cry.

But I loved the way he was staring at me. Not like he was picturing me 16 years ago. But like he loved me right now. In this moment.

My dad and I stopped right in front of the altar. “Congratulations, angel.” He leaned down and hugged me.

Matt put his hand out for him.

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