Page 82 of The Kissing Part
“I thought we were done with this part!”
“Shh, I’m carrying you over the threshold. You’re going to alarm the family with your screams.”
“It wasn’t a scream. It was a small sound of surprise.”
He carries me over the threshold and sets me down, taking my hand as we enter the dining area of the restaurant. The place is decorated with silver, gold, and white streamers, lots of cheerful bobbing silver and gold balloons, and a large banner that says Congratulations Owen and Shayla!
“Congratulations!” our family and friends shout.
Claire runs over to hug us both, and then clips a small veil to my hair. “So everyone knows who the bride is. Hope you don’t mind there’s going to be lots of pictures. Strictly for family.”
“That would be great,” I say.
“Good.” She kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re joining the family. Now I can truly claim you as my daughter.”
My eyes get hot. “I already claimed you as Mom, so that works.”
She squeezes my arm. “Aww. Come on, everyone’s here except Hailey. She’ll be here soon, I hope.” She gestures to an enlarged picture on an easel. “What do you think?”
My lips part in surprise. I’ve never seen this picture before. It’s me and Owen as teens by the pool, wrapped in a single towel, smiling at each other.
“I love it!”
“Who took this picture?” Owen asks.
“Who else? Our resident photographer.”
“Rafael?”
Rafael walks over. “Yes?”
“You took this picture?” Owen asks. “You must’ve been thirteen. You’d just gotten your first camera for Christmas.”
“You like it?”
“It’s amazing. You captured a moment here.”
I gesture to it. “You captured emotion, our bond.”
Rafael smiles. “Yeah, well, anyone with eyes could’ve seen what you two had.”
I hug him. “If you have any other sneak pictures of us, I’d love to see them.”
“Oh dear God,” Owen says. “I shudder to think about what you might’ve seen. What a sneak you were.”
“Nothing X-rated, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he says.
“I sure hope not,” Claire says. “Shayla was under our supervision.”
Owen and I exchange an amused look.
“I’ll give you what I have as a wedding present,” Rafael says.
I turn to Owen. “Isn’t he full of surprises?”
Claire looks thoughtful. “I wonder what other pictures thirteen-year-old Rafael took around the house on the down-low. I’d better look into this.” She goes after Rafael like she’s going to strangle him.
“You won’t get anything if you strangle the photographer!” Rafael exclaims.
