Page 112 of Use Me
Ashtyn and I, including her father and brother Ethan, agreed that we should hire security for the night just in case since Corey was still in Chicago. It was better to be safe than sorry, and if that meant I had to hire security for the night, I would.
“Awesome.”
“You’re free to go in now,” Matt gestured for us to enter the museum.
The night before for our rehearsal, Ashtyn and I had walked through the venue and was told where everything would be set up. But seeing it as I entered the venue felt surreal. There were interactive exhibits, we were going to have an open bar, and it overlooked the lake.
It was perfect.
As we made our way through the venue, we walked past tables that were set up alongside the memorabilia. Each table had white linens draped across them, and in the center were purple roses and what smelled like lavender. Votive candles were placed around the flowers, but not yet lit, and each place setting had a place card in gold stock paper with our guest’s names written in purple. It was beautiful. The girls had outdone themselves.
I continued my way past the wood dance floor and to the back of the building where chairs were set up looking in the direction of Lake Michigan. A white cloth walkway separated two sides.
“Rhys,” the minister greeted, extending his hand.
I took it. “Mason.”
“Nice suits.”
I looked down at myself, straightening the dark grey jacket of my suit. Under it was a dark grey vest, white dress shirt, and a black neck tie. The guys were dressed similarly,except instead of a black tie, theirs were purpleto match Ashtyn’s color scheme as well as purple vests. “Thank you.”
“Guests should be arriving soon—”
“Shit,” Kenny muttered, cutting off Mason. “I almost forgot.” He ran back in the direction we came, and then a few seconds later he was running back with a small box in his hands. “Put this shit on your lapel.”
I took a boutonniere he handed me. It had dried lavender and a purple rose arranged in a bundle. I pinned it to my jacket, and the boys followed suit.
“Like I was saying,” Mason started again, “the guests should be arriving soon. Feel free to escort them all to their seats.”
We nodded and went back to the entrance where we slowly took mine and Ashtyn’s family and friends to their seats.
Then it was time.
The guys went back down the aisle, and then a slow melody started to play. They reentered with bridesmaids on their arms, two at a time. Each bridesmaid was wearing an eggplant-colored, haltered-style dress that matched the guy’s ties and vests. We didn’t have a flower girl or ring bearer, so I knew that the next person I would see would be Ashtyn. A different song started to play from speakers, and time stood still. I didn’t know whatsongit was, but the woman was singing about how long she would love the person. The answer was as long as the stars are above them.
But all the other words faded away as soon as I saw Ashtyn.
I took in her white, strapless gown that had ruffles in the shape of giant roses on the skirt. Now I knew why men weren’t allowed to see the dress before their fiancée walked down the aisle. They were trying to kill us. Ashtyn was fucking breathtaking, and I literally couldn’t breathe as she took each step toward me with her father next to her.
Was this really happening?
I hope she doesn’t trip.
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to fill my lungs with oxygen again, but it wasn’t working. She was a vision.This was my best friend, and I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else. And I wasn’t ever going to.
I was a real lucky sonofabitch to have walked into Judy’s that night.
I took Ashtyn’s hand from her father’s and kissed her cheek. “You tryin’ to kill me, Cupcake?” I whispered.
She furrowed her brow and whispered back, “What?”
“You took my breath away as you walked toward me.” She probably thought it was a line, but I fucking meant it.
“Welcome, family, friends and loved ones,” Mason began. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Ashtyn and Rhys. You’ve come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Ashtyn and Rhys to start their married life together surrounded by the people most important to them. Will you, Rhys, take this woman to be your wedded wife?”
“Absofuckinlutley.” Everyone chuckled, and Mason glared at me. “I will, man. I fuckin’ will.”
He shook his head slightly and proceeded. “Will you, Ashtyn, take this man to be your wedded husband?”
