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I hold onto his arm and keep the bouquet in the other hand. “Absolutely.”
The woman standing near the start of the aisle nods at someone and the music changes. I follow my stepfather’s lead and begin walking. My toes sink into the sand, grounding me and giving me something to focus on. One step, two steps, three steps. When I feel steady enough, I look up and my eyes meet Holden’s.
He’s wearing a light gray tuxedo. His hair is styled, keeping it out of his face. The main thing I’m focused on though, is the way he’s looking at me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much fondness. The light is hitting him just right, and the closer I get, the easier it is to see the tears in his eyes. When we finally reach the end of the aisle, he steps forward and takes my hand from John.
“Take good care of her.” John tells him emotionally.
“I will.” Holden assures him, then turns to me. “You look stunning.”
“Even while pregnant?”
His smile widens. “Especially while pregnant.”
I roll my eyes playfully and we take our places in front of the officiant. Our hands stay conjoined, not wanting to let go since we haven’t seen each other all day. He squeezes three times. I. Love. You. I return the sentiment.
“Ladies and Gentlemen.” The man begins. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Kayleigh Madison Jacobs and Holden Edward Rivers – two people who by the grace of God have found each other to spend their lives with.”
“Wait!” Someone yells. Their voice instantly makes me cringe, and I turn to see Bianca standing at the end of the aisle. Everyone gasps. “Holden, please. Don’t do this.”
Chapter 26
Holden looks away from Bianca and back to me, his pained expression practically screaming his apology. Brandon seems somewhere in between shocked and trying not to laugh. Everyone else is just staring blankly. Holden and I turn our heads back to Bianca.
“B, what are you doing here?” He asks.
She wipes a tear away from her eye. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. Please, don’t marry her.”
He squeezes my hand in his and uses the other to rub his head. “I’ve told you already, you and I are not going to be together.”
“Why not?!” She spits. “You think she can give you all the things that I can? She’s probably just marrying you for the money. She’ll drain your bank account and spend it all on coke.”
I see red. Holden’s face contorts in anger as everyone’s jaws drop. Before I can even begin to control myself, I release his hand and march towards Bianca, who is now half way up the aisle. She gives me a smug look, taunting me. When I reach her, I ball my fist up swing it directly into her face.
She steps back, looking completely shocked. There’s a cut on her lip from my engagement ring – something I consider ironic justice. Holden appears at my side and places a protective hand on my stomach to hold me back.
“I think you better leave.” He tells her, waving to a security guard. A distraught Bianca is escorted out and away from our wedding. My fiancé turns to me. “Are you okay?!”
“That depends, are you going with her?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I’m perfect.” I grab his hand and start walking back toward the altar.
He pulls on my hand to stop me. “Are you sure you still want to do this? I don’t want memories of our wedding to be tainted by her.”
“Holden, do you want to marry me?”
“More than anything in the world.”
I smile at his honesty. “Then let’s get married. Postponing the wedding is exactly what she wants us to do. Now, I don’t know about you but the last thing I want is to give it to her. So, are you coming with me or not?”
He lights up and nods once, walking with me back to where we were previously standing. As we get close enough, Emily puts her hand out for a low five. I chuckle as I discreetly slap her hand with mine. When I turn back to Holden, I see Brandon smiling proudly behind him. I shoot him a wink that makes him laugh.
“Well then, let us continue.” The officiant picks back up as if nothing happened, but I can’t stop staring into Holden’s eyes. The way he looks at me like I’m the most spectacular thing he’s ever seen – it’s breathtaking.
I get lost in my thoughts, and the next thing I know, it’s time for Holden to read his vows.
“Kayleigh.” He starts. “Before I get into it, I have a confession.” My stomach drops. “A little over two years ago, we were grouped together on a project. What you don’t know, is that I paid the professor to pair us together.” A bark of laughter leaves my mouth, and I cover it with my hand. Holden leans to the side to look behind me. “Sorry Bree.”
