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“Wow! How do you tolerate so much hotness?” Clementine gushes, fanning her face with her hands and eliciting a giggle from every girl around us.
As everyone congratulates the bride and groom, someone shouts, “Kristy, throw the bouquet. Let’s see who the next lucky one is.”
I don’t want to be a part of this crazy custom, but I’m crushed between Clementine and her cousins. As I make another unsuccessful attempt to get out of the crowd, there’s a shout. “Here it comes!”
I stare at the purple-and-white bouquet of peonies, clematis, and wax flowers heading my way. Before I get a chance to deflect, it lands in my hands, and everyone starts cheering my name. My nervous gaze automatically drifts to Zander, who has a broad smile on his face.
“Lucky Rosie!” Kristy squeaks before hugging me and not-so-covertly winking at Zander.
After the wedding ceremony, everyone is ushered to the dinner reception venue in limos. As a part of the bridal party, I’m sharing the ride with Oscar’s family rather begrudgingly. I wanted to talk to Zander, be with him. I saw him approaching me, but before we could talk, Clementine dragged me into the car. Zander seemed equally irritated as he watched me leave.
When we arrive at the reception, I’m seated next to Sophia at the center table. I can only see Zander from afar.
Finally, after an emotional round of speeches, the guests scatter, and I make a beeline to find him. At a distance, I see Zach and Zane, but there’s no sign of Zander. Before I can approach them, Zander materializes before me, and without saying a word, drags me to the coat closet.
“I was getting worried that I wouldn’t get you alone today.” He wraps his arms around my waist as we both stand in this faintly lit space while the wedding party is buzzing outside.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hello, couch girl.” A huge smile appears on his face. I’m sure I mirror his expression, happy that we’re alone at last. After placing a quick kiss on my lips, he takes a step back and crosses his arms over his chest. He cocks his head to the side and ogles me head to toe.
“What?” I suddenly feel shy.
“Nothing. Just looking,” he says with that smile girls die for. But it’s just adding to my embarrassment.
“Stop it!” I take a step forward and playfully smack his chest.
“You take my breath away.” He grabs my waist. “I’ve wanted to kiss you so bad since you walked down the aisle, but I didn’t want to mess up your makeup.” I feel his heavy breath on my forehead as he gently places a kiss there.
His fingers play with some loose strands. “This hairstyle looks gorgeous on you.”
“It’s a messy updo.” I peer at his beautiful face, and his eyes crinkle as he smiles at my words.
“How did you agree to anything messy?”
As always, I’m amazed at how well he knows me. “I didn’t. Not until she showed me the picture of her previous work.” I turn around, giving him my back so he can see the style better.
“I love it.” He pulls me closer, placing gentle kisses on my neck and making me shiver. “I’ve been sitting with a boner since you walked toward the altar.” And to prove his point, he gently thrusts his hips forward.
“Crab!”
And what a boner it is.
He chuckles and nuzzles my neck. “I’m totally in love with your swearing.”
“Only my swearing?” My words come out as a breathy whisper.
He turns me around so fast that my already dizzy head spins.
“I love your every bit. Each and everything about you makes me crazy, Marr. My heart beats so fast whenever you’re around.” He places my hand over his pounding heart. “And when you’re far, it thrums with anxiety.” I can feel my own fluttering heart beating in sync with his. “I love you so much that sometimes it’s fucking painful. But I want it no other way. When you’re around, everything becomes insignificant. It’s only you that I want, need, and crave.”
“Zander.” I didn’t expect an honest confession of love. I thought we were doing our usual lighthearted ribbing. But this person in front of me, with such raw emotion in his gaze and words, scares me. I close my eyes and clutch him tight. Moments like these that I get with Zander, give me hope for a wonderful future, and I don’t want this feeling to end.
“Look at me, babe. Open your eyes. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Without you, I don’t fucking exist, Marr.”
When my eyes finally open, they meet his deep gaze, a little strong and a little in pain. I throw myself into his strong arms.“Zander, did something happen?”
I feel his head shaking. “Sometimes I can’t bear the thought of being away from you.”
