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“Damn, son!” He opened the door the rest of the way, pulled him into a hug inside of the room, then closed the door. “Welcome home.”
“Mr. Grimaldi.” He patted him on the back before he was let go.
Marcus Grimaldi stepped to the side and Archie saw her. The top of her head, anyway. Her bridesmaids surrounded her. They were all too busy laughing and sipping on something in purple plastic cups to notice he had entered the room.
He cleared his throat, and they all slowly turned to face him. Two of them he recognized as her cousins. The rest must be more recent friends. They were eyeing him up and down in a way that he would normally find flattering. This moment wasn’t about him though. It was about her.
It took Tabitha a second longer to look his way after her friends cleared a path. Fuck, she looked gorgeous in her wedding dress. It hugged her curves and showed off a little cleavage. The same curves and boobs he’d had more than his share of dreams about, not that he would admit it out loud. He would deny it if anyone asked.
She took a second glance his way before her eyes grew. Nothing stood in her way as she gasped and ran to him.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! You’re here!” She jumped up as her arms wrapped around his neck.
He caught her.
He always would.
If she hadn’t been wearing a dress, he wouldn’t have been surprised if her legs wrapped around him. The way she was currently clinging to him,fuck. Like neither one of them wanted to let go. It had been far too long.
“I couldn’t miss one of the most important days of your life.” He’d missed her college graduation earlier in the year and hated that he had. He slowly put her back down on her feet. “You look beautiful.” She looked beautiful in anything, but seeing her like this did something to him. It felt both right and wrong all at once.
“Look at you.” She smiled. “Looking sharp in that uniform.” She bit down on her bottom lip.
“He’ll out stage the groom.” Her father chuckled.
“I wish I would’ve known you’d be here. You could have been my man of honor.” She placed her hands on her hips.
“What the fuck is a man of honor?” He cocked a brow.
“It’s like the maid of honor, but if a guy holds the title.” One of the bridesmaids spoke up.
Archie laughed. “Yeah, no.” He shook his head.
Tabitha playfully shoved him as she giggled. “I still can’t believe you’re really here.” Her eyes twinkled up at him.
“It’s about to start.” Her mother interrupted them.
“It can’t start without me.” Tabitha stuck out her tongue.
“I guess I should go and get seated.” Archie pulled her in for another hug and whispered, “Are you happy?”
“Yes,” she spoke softly in reply.
Archie nodded, then left the room to go and get seated with the rest of the guests. The pews were full, and it was easy to see the bride’s side. There was a colorful mix of fancy clothes and leather. The groom’s side was mostly dark suits with the occasional dark dress. It made Archie wonder if the groom knew just what he was getting into with someone like Tabitha.
“As I live and breathe.” James stood up as Archie approached the middle pews. “Come here, fucker!” He pulled him in for a hug. James had been one of their friends growing up and was also a member of the Heathens MC.
There were cheers all around him, welcoming him home and thanking him for his service. It was good to be back. His eyes lingered on the vests around him. He knew they were waiting for him to patch in once he was done with the military.
The ceremony was longer than any he’d attended in the past, not that there had been a lot. Apparently, the groom’s side was catholic. Archie’s focus stayed on Tabitha the entire time, so he couldn’t complain too much.
The reception was also too fancy for his liking, in a ballroom to boot. He definitely felt out of place. A few of his old friends that were in the club, told him the groom’s family had paid for everything and refused to let Tabitha’s father pay. Apparently, the father of the groom ripped up the check and told him they were going to be family, so it didn’t matter. Archie wasn’t sure how to take that. He knew Marcus Grimaldi, Tabitha’s father, probably didn’t appreciate it.
“You have to meet someone.” Archie overheard her voice come up from behind him. He turned to see her pulling her groom along behind her.
He smiled as they approached. The train of her gown was now bunched up in the back so she could dance.
“Beautiful service.”
