“Yes,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I am.”
The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur. We exchanged rings and vows and lots and lots of glances. I smiled so much that my cheeks hurt and cried enough to have a new appreciation for waterproof mascara.
And then we were at the end, the part where Mr. and Mrs. Justin Caleb Bruzzo were announced for the first time, and the groom—the sexy bastard who owned my heart—got to kiss his tear-stained wife.
He leaned in, pausing to whisper against my lips. “Hello, Mrs. Bruzzo.” And then he pressed his lips against mine, softly at first, quickly building into something rougher and more possessive. One of his hands threaded through my hair and the other caressed my cheek, and for several seconds I forgot where we were and how many eyes were on us as I was transported to the same heavenly place that I’d gone to when he’d first kissed me in this park. It was magical. But even better than that, it was real. This amazing dream ending of a story was actually my life.
It was more amazing than any fairytale I’d ever read.
Afterward, there were pictures and a ride on the carousel that was mostly about posing for more pictures and not actually something that could be enjoyed or cherished. Which was fine. That wasn’t the reason we’d chosen this as the location for our wedding.
Soon, the wedding planner was ushering us out of the park. “On to your reception at The Sky Launch,” she ordered. “If you don’t head over there, no one else will.”
Since I hadn’t had a moment alone with JC, I actually wasn’t sure we planned on arriving at our reception at all. So even though it wasn’t necessarily the most appropriate time, I made sure I sought out my siblings and Laynie, giving each of them a hug that I hoped would last, in case it was a long time before I saw any of them again.
Parting from Norma was the hardest. She was the only person who knew that I wouldn’t be around much longer.
“I hope it’s not patronizing to tell you I’m proud of you,” she said as she embraced me tighter. “And I love you. And I already miss you.”
“I miss you more.” I had to pause to swallow past the lump in my throat. “And I love you, Sissy. More than I can ever say.”
JC showed up to pull me away. “Gwen, the car’s waiting.”
“Okay.” I gripped my bouquet and headed toward the limo without looking back, afraid that if I did, I wouldn’t be able to keep going forward.
At the car, a familiar face greeted me. “Hi, Drew.”
“Congratulations on your wedding,” he said, opening the door for me.
“Thank you. If I had any question about what happens next, it’s been answered by the fact that you’re driving our limo.”
He laughed. “Oh, I’m not driving. But yes. I’m navigating.”
“I’m guessing The Sky Launch isn’t a planned stop on our way out of town?”
“I’m afraid not.”
I sighed. “I’m not complaining. I’m glad to be included this time.”
“I am too. Trust me.”
I climbed into the back seat of the car, scooting toward the opposite door to leave room for JC.
“You ready?” Drew asked my husband before he got in.
“Finally got everything I need.” He glanced in at me, and I realized he was talking about me. “Thanks for bringing me back for her. Hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”
“You’re too much trouble, JC. She’s not. Get in.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, I was ready. I gathered every ounce of strength I had and, using both hands, shoved JC against the opposite wall of the car. “You asshole!”
“What?”
He had some nerve pretending not to know why I was mad. I grabbed my bouquet from the seat next to me and hit him with it. Three times. “You left me! You fucking left me!” I hit him once more.
He put his hands up to block my assault. “But I came back.”
I was vaguely aware of the car pulling away from the curb, too focused on my attack. “That doesn’t make up for you leaving in the first place! I’ve been a wreck. You destroyed me, Justin. How could you do that to me?” I’d thought I was done beating him, but it felt so good, I began to pummel him with my fists, leaving the bouquet at my side.
This time, JC grabbed my wrists, holding them so that I couldn’t strike again. “I know. I know. I’m a horrible person.” He slid closer to me, his eyes sparkling. “A horrible person who’s horribly in love.”
I struggled out of his grasp and folded my arms across my chest. “Don’t even try to charm your way out of this. I’m pissed. In fact, you’re lucky that I didn’t know you were here today until everyone was lined up, or I’m not sure there would have been a wedding.”