Page 85 of All I Feel

“If you’re all set here and want to stay on schedule, it’s time to get your dress on,” Bernadette said.

Excitement littered Grace’s features, her eyes shifting to mine. “Go!” I whispered. “I’ll take care of getting this all cleaned up, and I’ll see you before I leave.”

Smiling brightly, she nodded and took off to get her dress on.

As I packed up my things, I experienced something I never had before. I thought about my own wedding. It wasn’t that I hadn’t ever considered the day I’d get married, but it was always to some nameless, faceless man. Even when I was with Ryan and thought he was the one, I’d never envisioned him as the groom. But at that moment, images of Ace dressed in a tux, wearing a handsome smile while that lock of hair that so often fell over his brow flashed in my mind. The vision was so strong, I’d stopped gathering my things for a moment in order to catch my breath.

He was exquisite. It was true, I’d always thought he was a good-looking guy, but over these last few weeks, I was seeing him in a new light. It wasn’t just about his bright blue eyes and fantastic hair and breathtaking smile. It wasn’t even about his strong, beautiful body I had yet to explore.

It was about the man beneath the surface. Because as gorgeous as he was on the outside, who he was beneath the exterior was even better. The way he cared for me before we even became anushad melted my heart. And now that we were together, and I was dealing with one bout of bad luck after another, his need to look after me had only intensified.

All that I felt for him, the fact that I could see him as my groom one day, left me with the confidence that I was making the right decision about tonight. Ace had shown me what I’d deserved to have all along, and I couldn’t wait to give him what should’ve been his for years.

A thrill of excitement raced along my spine as I thought about what this evening would bring for us. Even though I didn’t have the experience and would need him to take thelead, it delighted me to know I could put myself out there and trust him to make it what it was meant to be.

I finished gathering the rest of my things, found Grace, and said goodbye to her and the rest of the bridal party whose makeup I’d also done. Then I made my way to the parking lot and toward Ace’s truck. He’d offered to drive me this morning, but since he said he had nowhere else to go—and I’d told him I was going to be getting myself ready for tonight’s festivities with Lark—he didn’t mind that I drove myself.

I made it to Lark’s, and because the two of us could always find a way to delay doing what we should, I insisted we get to work immediately. My bride had planned a later ceremony and reception, so the timing for this was going to be tight.

I hopped in the shower the second I arrived at Lark’s, and the minute I was out, she got to work on my hair. Caring for people’s skin might’ve been her daytime gig, but Lark picked up some tricks of the trade from her mom, a professional stylist, who’d cut and styled our hair our entire lives.

After she finished, I got to work on my makeup before doing hers. Then I put on the dress I’d gotten in hopes it’d make Ace just a tad more excited than usual to see me and gave myself a once-over in the mirror.

“What do you think?” I asked Lark.

“It looks incredible. You look amazing. But you already knew that because I told you so the day you bought it.”

I smiled. “Right. Well, maybe what I’m asking is… Do you think Ace is going to like it?”

Understanding dawned on her features. “I mean, I can’t speak for him, but I’d seriously question his mental state if he didn’t want to fall to his knees at the sight of you.”

“I want him to do more than just fall to his knees,” I murmured.

She curled her lip in disgust. “I get it. And I hope for your sake that he responds however you want him to, but I can’t think about those details.”

I giggled. “Fair enough. So, I’ll meet you there?”

“Absolutely.”

We hugged one another, and I left to return to Ace’s. Although we still had an evening out for dinner and fun with family and friends, with each hour that had passed throughout the day, I felt my nerves ratchet up. Now that I was on my way to see Ace, my insides were trembling. I could only imagine how I was going to feel by the time we returned to his place later tonight.

When I finally got back to Ace’s, I exited the truck and grabbed the bag I’d taken with me for work, as well as the one I’d stuffed all my clothes in from the back seat. Then I walked up to the front door and knocked.

There was almost no time for me to attempt to compose myself before Ace flung the door open. When he did, his eyes swept over me and darkened as one half of his mouth quirked into a smile. “And here I thought I’d only ever appreciate the door when I was on that side of it.”

I didn’t have the chance to respond before he reached out, hauled me to him, and drove his fingers into my hair as his mouth came crashing down on mine. The bags I’d been carrying fell to the floor, and my arms went over his shoulders. Like always, Ace kissed me breathless, and my knees buckled when his tongue swept into my mouth. If it hadn’t been for the hold he had on me, I’d have collapsed.

God, I’d missed him.

It had only been hours since I’d left him this morning,but it felt like years. If we didn’t have all our family and friends waiting to celebrate with Ace tonight, I might’ve done what I could to convince him to spend the night in with me instead.

Something told me it was likely I’d be successful if I tried anyway.

But I didn’t.

Because he deserved to be able to celebrate with everyone, and once we got back here tonight, we’d have the rest of the night and all day tomorrow to get lost in one another.

Since he didn’t seem to be interested in stopping, I allowed our kiss to go on for a lot longer than normal. But eventually, knowing we had so much to look forward to, I tore my mouth from his and whispered against his lips. “Happy birthday, handsome.”