Page 367 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

***

The hallway outside the bridal suite is almost empty.

Someone has dimmed the lights. The conversations drifting up from downstairs are little more than soft murmurs now.

The ceremony has already begun gathering itself.

We step into the hallway together. Behind us, our mothers follow quietly.

It suddenly feels different than it did yesterday.

The polished wood floors...

The windows overlooking the lake...

Everything somehow feels suspended in time, like the entire building is holding its breath with us.

As we reach the staircase, music begins floating upward from below.

Soft piano.

One of my favorite songs.

I smile.

"Jamie picked that."

Dad glances down at me. "He did?"

"He said he wanted me smiling before I ever saw him."

Dad chuckles. "That sounds like him."

We descend slowly. At the bottom of the stairs, Becca is waiting.

She isn't carrying a clipboard.

She simply smiles.

"You look breathtaking."

I hug her carefully.

"So do you."

She laughs and kisses my cheek.

"It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to help you today."

Then her expression softens. "He's nervous."

I blink. "Jamie?"

She nods. "He keeps pretending he isn't."

A laugh escapes before I can stop it. "I don't believe you."

"I watched him straighten his tie six times."