Page 63 of Strawberry Cake
“Maybe a barbeque or something?” Hope suggested. “Dad loves throwing those.”
“I can already see him and my dad at the grill having an academic discussion on the best way to prepare the meat.”
Hope leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I love you so very much.”
“I love you too, little thief.”
The End
Epilogue
Two Years Later
Decan
Leaning against the brick wall, Decan tried like hell to calm his breathing and straightened his black suit.
“Relax,” Marco chuckled, stepping up to adjust his tie. “It’s all going to be fine.”
“I’d like to see you on your big day trying not to lose your last nerve.”
Marco gave him a cheeky smile and peaked around the corner. “She looks gorgeous.”
“Fuck you.”
Decan had been forbidden to move so that they didn’t ruin their first look. They’d decided to do it in a small private circle and not at the altar.
With a wink, Marco gently slapped Decan’s cheek and squeezed his upper arm. “You and I both know she’s a keeper.Nothingis going to stop this woman from loving you.”
Tears burned the edges of Decan’s eyes and he squeezed them shut.Fuck,why did Marco have to say that right now? His best friend stepped back as footsteps approached.
“Decan?” Hope softly whispered from the corner and out of view.
“I’m here,” he assured her, reaching his hand out to the side. Her fingers laced with his and immediately he felt calmer. “How are you?”
“Nervous. I’m glad they put waterproof make-up on me.”
“Have you eaten? Stayed hydrated?”
“Stop fussing over me! But you don’t have to worry, Laura’s watched me like a hawk today.”
A laugh told him that Laura, Hope’s maid of honour, was nearby.
“Close your eyes, baby.”
He did, listening to her heels clicking on the concrete as she turned the corner. His heart… frankly, the organ forgot how to function. Suddenly, the clicks stopped, and Hope cupped his cheek with her free hand.
“Open up.”
He found himself drowning in her ocean blue eyes before he could pull his gaze away and take her in completely. She stepped back still holding his hand and presented herself to him. The lace hugged her curves in all the right ways, the golden jewellery sparkling on her neck and wrists, while her hair was over one shoulder in a waterfall of brown curls.
“Breathtaking,” he gasped, needing a moment to find his words.
Somewhere, he heard laughs and sniffles mixed with the clicks of a camera, locking this moment in for the rest of their lives. He lifted his arm and let her twirl for him, nice and slow so he could absorb every glorious inch of her.
“Perfect.”
When their eyes met again, Hope’s were glossy with tears. He quickly pulled the tissue out of his pocket, grateful that his dad insisted that he carry it. He carefully dabbed and soaked them up before they could spill and ruin her make-up. Hope took his jaw in her hand again, pressing her lips softlyand carefully against his.