Page 163 of Seale the Deal

She wouldn’t walk unless—

Please, God.

The doors open wider.

And there she is.

My head drops as relief slams into me, so powerful it nearly takes my knees out from under me.

She’s actually here.

A broken laugh escapes me, and then the tears come hot, fast and completely unstoppable. I don’t even try to hide them. For the last ten days, I’ve been preparing myself for every possible outcome except this one. I’ve imagined an empty aisle. The awkward apologies. The drive home alone. I’ve imagined spending the rest of my life wondering if I should’ve fought harder for her.

But none of that matters anymore because my world is walking toward me. Wrenley. My Wrenley.

She chose me.

And she looks fucking beautiful doing it in her wedding gown that reminds me of when we were in Anchorage. The trip that truly changed everything.

I want to run down the aisle. To scoop her up, kiss her until the crowd vanishes. But I’ve waited ten endless days. I can wait ten more seconds.

She reaches me. I seize her hands like lifelines. Walter starts speaking, but it’s just noise.

There’s only her.

You came, I mouth.

Tears fill her eyes

Forever, she mouths back.

Fuck. I’m the luckiest man in the world.

Walter keeps talking, welcoming everyone and saying something about love and commitment. A few people laugh, so I force myself to pay enough attention to at least smile at the right moments, but it’s hard to focus when I feel her thumbs brush over mine and my brain keeps replaying two thoughts on loop:

I’m getting married.

Wrenley is mine.

Ruger, Walter says.

I blink while Wrenley bites her lip, fighting a smile.

Sorry. What?

Laughter moves through the room.

Walter grins. I asked if you’re ready to say your vows.

I look at Wrenley and tighten my hold on her hands. Yeah, I am.

Her smile disappears as she looks at me with more affection than I feel like I deserve. Tears slip down her cheeks, and I reach out and wipe them away.

I take a breath. Wrenley, I promise to stand beside you when life gets complicated. To listen when you say you need me to and probably give you my opinion when you don’t.

She laughs through her tears.

I promise to not get mad when you use our couch as a pincushion, even though I’m sure we could get you a far less expensive one.