Page 90 of Monster's Edge

I shoot a glance at Eduardo, but he’s staring straight ahead.

“Look forward,” he whispers quietly. “And smile.”

And so, I paste a smile on my face and hope I look natural as the two of us begin walking down the aisle. I spot Ian, but the walk down the aisle feels so long that his face is fuzzy at first. Once we’re about halfway down the length of the church, everything starts coming into focus, and that’s when I really see him.

Ian Salucci: predator.

Ian Salucci: criminal.

Ian Salucci: future husband.

This is really happening, I realize. Ian and I are going to get fucking married and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. That’s okay, though, because I’m starting to realize that I don’twantto do anything about it.

This is what I want.

I want him.

4

My heart is beatingso loudly I can’t hear the music.

Ian is watching me as I make my way down the aisle. I don’t look away from him as I near him. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Something tells me that if I look away from Ian now, in this moment, then he’s going to be pissed. He’s not a patient person. This isn’t something new.

Essentially dissing him on his wedding day isn’t something that will sit well with a guy like him.

Eduardo is politely guiding me down the aisle. His arm is looped through mine, and it’s at that moment I realize I don’t have a bouquet. Why don’t I have a bouquet? I feel like it must be an oversight until we reach Ian and Eduardo steps to the side. Ian ignores him entirely and steps closer to me. Then he holds out a single red rose.

“A rose,” I whisper.

“A flower for a flower,” he agrees.

“Thank you.”

I’m not really sure what else I’m supposed to say right now, but luckily for me, Ian does. He slides his arm through mine. While Eduardo kept a polite distance, Ian offers me no such reprieve. Instead, he tugs me close to himself, pulling me beside him. Our bodies touch each other side-by-side, and even though just hours ago I was on my knees in front of him, this feels different.

Exciting.

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