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"Yeah."
"All right. We'll go when you're ready." He pushed off the frame and left.
My parents had rented the Vineyard that overlooked the valley. They wanted to do something in Malibu with an ocean view, but everyone was local, and I didn't want people to have to drive so far. The place we picked was located on a secluded hill and, at the most, a fifteen-minute drive, and it was where Brandt and I met.
As all four of us—my mom, dad, sister, and I—drove to the Vineyard for the party, I watched an unseasonable August rain drench the pavement as we whizzed by. The rain was magical at night. It looked like sparkling diamonds under the reflection of the moon. It was also deceptively inviting, and I loved it, day or night. It was the perfect way to start the next chapter in our lives. My sister grabbed my hand. We were both celebrating tonight, and I couldn't be happier.
"Okay, girls. I'm just going to say it. I know you aren't twenty-one yet, Tessa, but I was your age once, so I am going to pretend I don't see you celebratory drinking tonight," Mom said.
Tessa and I shared a knowing glance and giggled silently. Tessa did more than the occasional drinking, but my parents used to smoke pot, so I never made a big deal about it. Tessa was a good kid.
"Thanks, Mom," Tessa replied before returning her attention to me.
"You look really pretty, Tess." She had put on a little eyeliner and lip-gloss. It was minimal, but it made her face come alive.
"You, too, sis."
When we pulled into the lot, it was already almost full, but we had a few reserved spots in the front. My stomach filled with butterflies. Crowds had always made me anxious. Before I grabbed the handle of my door, it was opening, and Brandt's hand was reaching for me.
"Well, good evening, Mr. Brandt." I smiled as he kissed my hand. My family had taken the opportunity to sneak away to give us a moment alone.
The quiet before the storm.
He leaned in to my ear and whispered, "You look stunning," sending chills down my spine.
You would think that reaction would have faded, but it hadn't, and I wasn't sure if it was attributed to us still being in the newlywed phase of our relationship or if it was the simple fact that we hadn't slept together.
"Two more weeks," he reminded me as he pushed his hand to the small of my back, forcing our bodies together.
"If you think you can hold out," I teased.
"It gets harder every second it gets closer," he admitted, "but I can and I will because I love you that much."
Our lips were only inches from each other. My desire to kiss him was as strong now as it was the day we had met, and the way he drank me in every moment we were together made me ache. The good kind of ache. The kind of ache that told me he was the only one in the world for me.
"I love you, Mrs. Brandt." He held my cheek in his hand and studied me deeply as if he could pluck my thoughts right out of my head.
He had adopted my play on his name. "I love you, too."
He pressed his lips on mine urgently, taking my breath away. The simple graze of his hand sliding down my arm was a reminder of how much I wanted to marry this man. I could tell his resolve was weakening, because he pulled away and held on to the back of my neck tightly as he rested his forehead on mine and paused.
"No matter what, Bay." A raindrop fell between us. He grabbed my hand, and we sprinted to find cover under the awning. The misty haze illuminated under the lamp above us, giving it the London fog feel.
"I want to go to London," I blurted out randomly. Something I tended to do often.
"Then, we will." He smiled.
He kissed me again, but this time, it was gentle and sweet, making my knees weak in a different way. This was the kiss of forever love.
"One day, Bay," he muttered. "I love you. With everything my body has to give, inside and out. I'm yours forever."
"Forever," I whispered.
"Seriously, what are you guys doing out here? Having sex?" Tessa joked.
"Tessa!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, come on. Loosen up." She laughed. "Mom and Dad are about to announce us."
"Okay, we'll be there in a second," I replied.
"You kids! Can't take you anywhere." She laughed again as she headed back around the building.
"We should go," I said. He took another minute to memorize this moment. To study me. And I did the same. We were about to embark on the journey of our lives, so documenting every moment was a must.
It didn't take long for me to fall hard for him. Our connection was immediate, and the feelings built exponentially with every moment we were together, and I hoped they would continue until we were old and gray.
