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Chapter Twenty-Two
ONE YEAR LATER
“I now pronounceyou husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the officiant announces. Jay leans in, pressing his lips to the side of my head as we watch Spencer capture Mia’s lips, bending her backwards with more flare than necessary.
The small ceremony took less than a month to plan. Mainly because Spencer and I have been working together secretly behind Mia’s back. The invitations were sent out the same day Mia catapulted into Spencer’s arms screaming yes.
“May I present to you, for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. Spencer Crawford.”
Rose petals are tossed in the air as Mia and Spencer walk hand in hand away from Sam’s fountain. That’s what it’s come to be known as. And I can feel her here. When I’m in town, yes, but mostly here. When I come to visit and toss in a coin. When I talk to her, I do it here. The place she took her last breath.
It was only fitting to have the ceremony on sacred ground. It almost feels like Sam was a part of the celebration as the water rained down on the metal waves, sliding back into the fountain, over and over again.
The reception is just as perfect. Riley’s Pub has been transformed. The normally dark and dank feel is brightened by stark white linens over the tables and sheer white drapes that hang from the ceiling, surrounded by red and blue paper lanterns, giving the space a pop of color.
“You did good,” Jay says, giving my hand a squeeze.
“I didn’t do it alone. Mindi was a huge help.” Looking over my shoulder to where Mindi is situated behind the bar, our eyes meet, and she flashes me a bright smile.
When Spencer and I approached her on New Year’s Eve about hosting the reception here, she practically jumped at the opportunity. She was already a little tipsy, the new year only minutes away, so I was surprised when I had a string of texts from her waiting for me when I woke up the next morning, complete with pictures of her vision.
The last three months have been a whirlwind of plotting and planning. Knowing Spencer was going to propose on Valentine’s Day, we had to move quickly, but I couldn’t be more impressed with the final product. Judging by the smile on Mia’s face right now as she glides around the room, we did good.
“Spencer’s a genius,” Jay notes as we watch our two best friends share their first dance as husband and wife.
“Don’t tell him that. His ego is big enough already,” I joke as he stands, extending his hand to me.
“Think about it,” he begins, leading me to the dance floor and spinning me into his arms, “he proposed on a holiday, a date he’ll never forget. Then, he got married on his birthday so he’ll never miss their anniversary.”
Laughing as Jay spins me out and pulls me back in, I nod my head in agreement. “Yeah, I guess that was a good idea. Though I doubt he’d forget his anniversary even if today wasn’t his birthday. He loves Mia and has been waiting for this moment for years.”
“You think in fifty years, when his memory starts to go, he’d still be able to remember their anniversary?” he inquires as he dips me backwards, pulling me up slowly and securing me in his arms.
“When you love someone, I think you remember every moment. It’s not about celebrating your love one day a year. Sure, it’s a milestone, but love should be celebrated every day you wake up. Every time you kiss, you should feel their love.”
Jay leans in and presses his lips to mine as he continues to lead us around the dance floor. What I assume is going to be a chaste kiss continues for far longer than anticipated, turning needier by the second. When I pull away, I can see the lust in his eyes, the deep blue specks around his hazel irises having disappeared.
Jay pulls us to a stop as the song changes. “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play, the melody drawing my attention.
This is our song.
Deemed by Jay as it was playing the night I confessed I loved him. The same night we made plans to move in together and go all in.
It’s amazing how one text changed everything. Not only did it provide a sense of relief that Sam’s murderer was caught, but it instilled hope in Jay.
He was halfway home already when I sent the text. He’d stopped for gas and was getting ready to call to see if I had made it to the airport when his phone buzzed in his hands.
He turned his car around and headed back here. Straight to Summer’s, where Mia, Spencer, and I were currently celebrating.
The moment I saw him standing on Summer’s front porch, I knew what I wanted. It was like I could see my future perfectly. Summer must have known what I was thinking because she practically pushed me out the door and into his arms.
Her blessing meant a lot.
Sometimes I think it’s what was holding me back from admitting I loved him. Not only to myself but to everyone else. Not that it wasn’t clear to those around us. So, when I finally professed my love, sitting in Jay’s car in from of Summer’s house with “All of Me” playing on the radio, it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Not even Jay.
Shaking my head clear of thoughts of the past, I focus on my present. My future. The man holding me in his arms as our song plays.
“You’re going to get yourself in trouble if you kiss me like that again.” It’s a clear warning of what he’s stirred deep inside of me. Last time he didn’t heed it, and we ended up sneaking away from our friends at Spence and Mia’s engagement party, locking the bathroom door behind us, and having a quickie on the counter.
