Page 131 of Fake it for Keeps

39

COLT

The music swelled, and everyone stood. And then I saw Hallie.

She appeared at the end of the aisle on her mother’s arm, and every thought in my head evaporated. She was radiant in the golden afternoon light, her dress simple and elegant, her smile bright enough to rival the sun.

She was walking toward me.

My bride. My wife. My future.

Her eyes locked on mine, and even from this distance, I could see them glistening with tears. Happy tears, it seemed. The good kind. Which was a relief.

Each step she took felt like an eternity and no time at all. I couldn’t look away. Couldn’t breathe. Could only watch as the woman I loved made her way to me through the candlelight and falling snow that had formed a light layer over the glass roof.

When she reached me, her mother kissed her cheek and then placed Hallie’s hand in mine.

“Take care of my girl,” she whispered.

“Always,” I promised.

Hallie’s mother sat down, leaving me with the most precious gift she could give me. Hallie turned to face me fully. Up close, she was even more beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were bright. The ring I’d given her—the one I’d designed specifically for her—sparkled on her finger.

“Everything looks amazing,” she whispered.

I squeezed her hands. “Especially you.”

She giggled. “If you love me so much, why don’t you marry me?”

The officiant, a local county judge, cleared his throat, smiling at both of us. “Shall we begin?”

“Yes,” we said in unison. Laughter rippled through our small gathering of guests.

The ceremony was short and sweet. The judge spoke about love and commitment and choosing each other every day. About how marriage was a journey, not a destination.

And then it was time for vows.

“Hallie,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “I wrote these down because I was afraid I’d forget everything the moment I saw you. But now that you’re here, I don’t need the paper.”

I pulled out the index card I’d tucked in my jacket pocket and made a show of crumpling it up. Hallie laughed, the sound like music in my ears.

“Here’s the truth,” I said. “I spent years building walls and keeping people out. Protecting myself from ever feeling too much. And then you tripped into my world and broke through every single defense I had.”

Hallie’s eyes were already glistening with tears.

“The second I touched you, I knew. My soul recognized you as the person I was always supposed to end up with. You made me laugh. You made me feel.” I tightened my grip on her hands. “You made me believe that maybe I deserved a second chance at love. I love you. I am going to spend every day of the rest of my life showing you just how much. And if I mess up. If I miss a day or an opportunity to show you my love, I know you’ll call me out on it. That’s what I want. Always and forever.”

She blinked at the tears forming on her face.

“I promise to always catch you when you fall. To bring you coffee the way you like it. To help you restore this beautiful, chaotic beach house. To wake you up when I need to hear your voice.” I smiled. “And I promise to love you. Every single day. Even when you’re being stubborn. Even when you’re stealing my shirts. Even when you’re making me eat vegetables.”

She laughed through her tears. “I would never make you eat a vegetable.”

“You will,” I said. “And I’ll do it because I love you. Hallie Bellrose, you are my second chance. My redemption. My home. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve you.”

The guests were sniffling now. I caught Frankie dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

Hallie took a shaky breath. “Okay,” she said. “No pressure following that.”