Page 58 of Falling for Red
Looking around at the guests here, it’s obvious everyone senses something big is about to happen, but no one knows exactly what. Would they really have a surprise wedding? I tighten my grip around Claire’s waist, eager to find out.
Then, Nicholas steps onto the stone steps leading down to the patio, a glass of champagne in hand. He taps it lightly with a fork, the noise getting the crowd’s attention.
The conversations quiet as all eyes turn toward him.
“Alright, alright,” Nicholas says, his face beaming with the biggest smile. His free hand rubs the back of his neck like he’s nervous having everyone look at him. “I know you’re all wondering why we’re really here.”
A few people chuckle. Chad lets out a whistle, and our group laughs again.
Nicholas smirks, dragging out the silence.
“Well,” he says, then takes a slow sip of his drink.
“Tell us!” someone shouts.
He laughs, then looks over his shoulder before looking at the crowd again. “Let me introduce you to my wife—Mrs. Emily O’Malley.”
Holy shit.
The patio erupts in shouts, cheers, and gasps. Everyone is losing their mind. Chad fist-pumps the air. Anna squeals. Claire leans in, looking up at me, wide-eyed and smiling.
Emily steps into the doorway, hand in hand with her son. The crowd loses it all over again as she walks to Nicholas. She’s glowing, wearing a fitted white dress with her hair curled.
I glance back to Nicholas. He looks so happy, and that really hits me. I want this moment. I want to share this moment with Claire.
Nicholas takes Emily’s free hand in his and leans down to kiss her.
Beside me, Claire wipes a tear from her eye.
“Baby,” I whisper, needing to know why she’s crying.
She shakes her head, a watery smile breaking through. “This is just … really beautiful.”
The cheers and whistles continue as Nicholas raises his hands, trying to settle the crowd.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” he says looking out at the crowd, “welcome to our wedding reception.”
The crowd goes wild again, and servers flood out of the home with trays filled with champagne flutes.
I press a kiss to Claire’s temple and grab for her hand, interlacing her fingers with mine. Watching Nicholas and Emily walk into the sea of their friends and family, I can’t stop thinking about how I want this with Claire.
37
Taking a sip of the champagne, I can’t believe Nicholas and Emily are married. They’re perfect for each other, but it’s … making me think of my wedding. I sip, pushing out the memory of four-hundred people watching me walk down the aisle in uncomfortable heels. This is better. Intimate and perfect. And surprising everyone like this? I love it.
“Let’s walk down to the lake,” Jake whispers in my ear.
His voice pulls me back to the present, and I nod. He takes my hand, weaving us through the crowd and down the steps to the beach. But when my feet meet the sand, I hesitate.
Jake lifts my chin with two fingers. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I say, although it’s a lie.
“Why were youreallycrying?”
I blink a few times. Jake is never going to let me suffer in silence it seems. He’s such a great guy.
I exhale slowly, giving in. “My wedding came up … but that was also a really beautiful and romantic moment we just witnessed.”
