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Inside, the wedding coordinator seems flustered. Spying us, she whisper-yells, “There you are! Get in line!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kyle answers with a grin, and instantly, she responds with a smile of her own.
I don’t know how he does it. I could fucking recite poetry and women would run for the hills. But Kyle flashes one smile and has them melting at his feet.
Janey doesn’t seem to mind your lack of a way with words.
Thank fuck.
CHAPTER21
JANEY
I walkthrough double doors of some sort of club-slash-gym only to find that it’s been turned into a fairytale inside. The first thing I see is a reception desk that has gorgeous photos of Chance and Samantha in every size. I pause to look at them, oohing and ahhing probably way too much over the cuter ones, then hurry inside as a woman dressed in all black invites us to find our seats.
I follow the other straggling guests down a hallway and out another door, finding myself in a courtyard of sorts. Literally, I guess, because there are basketball hoops on either end, but they’ve been reimagined as part of the décor with chandeliers replacing the nets and white tulle draped from one to the other, creating a canopy over the rows of gold chairs. The court itself has been covered with glossy white tiles, and one sideline has an archway for the couple to stand beneath for the ceremony.
It's creative, it’s beautiful, and apparently, it’s go-time because the woman in black is looking over the audience expectantly.
“Is this seat taken?” I ask a woman seated on the groom’s side. When she smiles and says ‘it is now’, I feel welcome and know I made the right choice to come with Cole. Not that there was ever any doubt. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else today, especially not after seeing Cole in action with Samantha’s dad.
I’m not a person who appreciates violence. I don’t want to watch UFC fights with guys beating each other bloody, and I don’t like posturing guys who throw punches over presumed slights like cutting you off in traffic. But I don’t blame Kyle for defending his family.
And I certainly appreciate the smart, slick way Cole did it without lifting a fist. He would’ve, and I know that. But he didn’t have to.
I wish Cole’s family knew the lengths he would go to for them, the things he’d do for them. Maybe then they’d see who he is. Kyle got a peek tonight, so that’s something. I hope he compares notes with Kayla because she seemed to see Cole differently at dinner.
The soft music changes, garnering everyone’s attention.
An older man in a black suit escorts a woman in a mauve dress down the aisle. They sit up front on Chance’s side, so they must be Cole’s grandparents. Then Charles and Miranda walk in, arm in arm, to sit.
I notice that the front row on Samantha’s side where family would usually sit is nearly empty, only occupied by one man, and that breaks my heart for her, especially after what I saw in the parking lot. But despite her lack of family, she’s surrounded by people who love her.
That resonates with me, given my own family. I still haven’t spoken to them, and maybe that should make me feel abandoned and alone. In the past, it would’ve. But honestly, I’ve felt lonely with them for a long time, and being without their constant nitpicking, gaslighting, and insults has felt... good. I’m happier without them, which is sad, but the truth. And like Samantha, maybe I can find a circle of people who love me too. A family of a different sort. Starting with Cole.
An officiant walks in, taking his place beneath the archway. He’s followed by the groomsmen, who’re led by a tall, skinny younger man who looks nothing like the Harringtons, and then all the brothers—Cole, Kyle, Cameron, and Carter, who seems to be the best man.
Cole looks handsome, despite his mild complaints about the burgundy—not pink!—suit and floral tie. It’s expertly tailored, the pants showing off his butt as he walks past. When he gets to his place beneath the large arch, his eyes sweep over the crowd.
At first, I think he’s making sure Glenn didn’t sneak in after all, but then he finds me and he smiles, and a happy little tingle starts in my tummy as I wiggle in my seat.
He was looking for me!
I love that he does things like that, and coming out to escort me in, and so much more. He makes me feel important and cherished, something I’ve never felt in a relationship. Or in life, honestly.
The bridesmaids are next—a brunette, a woman with pitch black hair and severe eyeliner, a teenager, and then Kayla and Luna. Last but certainly not least, Grace slow steps down the aisle, dropping petals precisely. As she passes, I can hear her talking to herself, “Drop, don’t throw. Drop, don’t throw.”
I laugh to myself, sensing a kindred spirit.
The music changes again, and at the officiant’s gesture, we stand.
The doors at the back of the club open again, and we get our first look at the bride. She’s walking with her mother, who looks like she’s been crying. But Samantha looks clear-eyed and excited as she walks down the aisle in her white gown, which is architectural and modern, with a folded portrait collar that wraps around her arms, leaving her shoulders bare, and a long, column skirt. As she walks, I think I see blue Converse sneakers peeking out from underneath.
Her mom pecks her cheek, then sits with the man in the front row as Samantha takes Chance’s hand. They look into each other’s eyes like they’re the only two people in the room, and Chance mouths something. Though I can’t read his lips from here, Samantha smiles softly, so I feel like it was something romantic.
“Please be seated,” the officiant says. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Evan White, Chance’s best friend and business partner. And no one was more surprised than I was when he asked me to officiate his wedding. Usually, he’s stealing the mic from me at every opportunity.” He pauses for the answering chuckle. He’s clearly a slick public speaker. “But I promised to stick to Chance’s script, so he’s trusting me.” Evan lifts his brows, silently joking that it was a stupid choice on Chance’s part.
But contrary to the taunt, Evan does a great job. The ceremony is personal, with what seem to be private jokes between the bride and groom, along with some highlights of their love story. At one point, Evan steps off to the side, turning his microphone off, and Samantha and Chance say their vows quietly, to each other alone, which feels meaningful and intimate.
