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19
WILL
Istood next to Paul in my blues near the floral arch where they’d soon be married, and looked around the outdoor ceremony space as pride made my chest stick out. It looked perfect. Everything about it. Aria had seriously outdone herself.
The guests seated before me sat in rows of golden chairs. There was a white strip of fabric down the middle that would soon guide the bride and her friends down the aisle toward us. White flowers were grouped at the end of every row with a tan ribbon framing it along both sides.
Beyond the rows of chairs, the B&B rose up in all its splendor, flowers outlining the double doors that Shelby would soon walk through to meet her groom. The reception space to the right was set up with long tables, gold chairs perfectly spaced on either side. Twinkle lights and lanterns hung over them on cables that ran from the house through the trees, and the Spanish moss cascaded between the strands like they’d been placed there on purpose for decoration.
Behind us, the property’s pond was smooth as glass as the sun shined down on it. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and even though it was June, the summer heat had worn off by the time the late afternoon took over. It was almost like Aria had been able to orchestrate that, too.
How she’d managed to do all of this and still be in the wedding was amazing. I was so proud of her. She’d been right the other night. I had no doubt she’d be able to land a job wherever we went. And she’d continue to build up her resume in each place, becoming more and more experienced with each one. I wasn’t in any hurry to leave, but I couldn’t wait to watch her soar.
I glanced behind me, grinning as Ms. Hattie approached the arch and stood underneath it in a simple tan dress with a fitted jacket that matched. Shelby had asked her to become ordained so she could perform their ceremony, and I knew the woman had been incredibly honored to do so. Since she’d had a bit of a hand in my own love story, I wondered if she’d be willing to do the same when it was our turn.
I looked away as my chest tightened, my eyes landing on Paul. Sensing my gaze, he turned to me, letting out a shaky breath. “Bro, I had no idea I’d be this nervous up here.”
“Cold feet? I can still get you out of here before it starts.”
“You’re the worst best man on the planet.”
I patted my chest and the pockets at my hips. “Oh, hang on. Speaking of. Was I supposed to have the rings?”
“I’m gonna toss you in that lake. I’ve been wanting payback.”
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” I assured him with a hard pat on the back. “I’ve got them. And you’ve got this. You look like a stud, your beautiful bride is getting ready to come out and blow you away, and everyone you love is sitting out there waiting to watch you marry your best friend.”
So much emotion flooded his eyes then that he looked away, swallowing hard. “Thanks, brother.”
An annoying lump formed in my own throat at the relief that we’d been able to work everything out in time for me to stand up next to him today. It had gotten pretty hairy for a minute, and I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I hadn’t been here. If I hadn’t made it back to being his brother in so many ways.
Someone waving from the crowd caught my eye, and I looked over to find Paul’s cousin Nate’s on-again-off-again girlfriend Chelsea, beaming in our direction. I turned to Nate, catching his answering smile.
“How’s it going between you two?” I asked in a low whisper, knowing his answer could go either way.
He kept his lips turned up in a smile for Chelsea’s sake, but he sighed. “Seems good right now. But it could be all the lovey-dovey wedding vibes.”
“They mess with your head, that’s for sure.”
“She was dating some other dude right before I came out here for this.”
My nose wrinkled before I could stop it, so I smoothed out my expression in a hurry. “Really?”
“Yeah, we weren’t together or anything so whatever, but I can’t help but wonder if she was only conveniently single so I’d bring her to this. Weddings do weird stuff to girls.”
I snorted, remembering my rule to never take a date to a wedding again after my last experience. “Yeah, I hear that.”
“I’m trying to figure out if I can get her to come back to California with me this time.”
I pursed my lips. “Dude, why would you want her to?”
“Because we’re trash at the long-distance thing. It’s rough.”
Gratitude instantly filled me that I wouldn’t need to worry about that. I’d secretly pined over Aria from afar for more years than I should have, but I was glad we’d never attempted to make it work long-distance and wouldn’t have to going forward. I’d like to think we were solid enough to handle it, and the first of many deployments was on the horizon, but still. As a permanent thing, it didn’t sound pleasant.
Either way, I couldn’t help but nudge my grumpy buddy with my arm. “Hey, you ever think it’s so rough because you guys aren’t really meant to be?”
Nate slid his gaze over to me, tugging at the collar of his dress blues. “Nah.”
