Page 114 of Caught Looking
Seth stood up and my mouth went dry all over again. “You look damn good in a tux, Future Husband.”
“Not half as good as you do in a white gown, Future Wife.” The heated gaze he sent my way made me squeeze my thighs together.
Damn.It didn’t matter how many days we spent together or how many nights we kept each other busy; we only wanted each other more.
Seth whistled and both dogs hopped to attention. When he reached for Roscoe’s leash I gave it without a second thought because getting up in this dress required focus.
Not that I had picked an overly ostentatious wedding gown. I was still me. But I wasn’t used to sitting in a booth in a floor-length dress. Or heels for that matter. Despite my first suggestion we get married at the courthouse and come here in our pajamas to celebrate, I was happy Seth nixed that idea in favor of this one.
The dress I picked had lace everywhere. And since it was January, I opted for an off the shoulder neckline with long sleeves. The dress hugged my curves before falling into a small train at my feet.
My hair was down, parted to the side with a dramatic swooping curl so he could nibble on my neck later tonight.
With the leashes in one hand, Seth offered me his other arm. We paused on the steps for some photos. Most from our photographer’s assistant and a few from the paparazzi who still haunted Dottie’s in the hopes of getting a photo or two.
Then we loaded up in Seth’s truck and for old time’s sake he jumped the curb on the way to Sunshine Stadium. It wasn’t the prettiest or warmest location to get married. But it was where we began, as Seth so perfectly pointed out.
The outfield had been done up beautifully with twinkle lights, white tents, and flowers. With the stadium lights dimmed I almost didn’t recognize the place. Willa offered to film everything and of course we let her. Most of it was just for us but we’d part with a few clips for what was now season 2 of the Tangerine’s unscripted reality show. It was still essentially a documentary but was being told episodically in a longer form. All Willa’s doing. She turned out to be the perfect person to tell the Tangerine’s story.
Chris Kaine’s wife, Olivia, was our photographer. Kate coordinated everything and the Red Tourist, everyone’s favorite restaurant, catered. Kristin Holt and Travis Brantley arranged our band and planned to sing at least one set at our reception, along with Kate’s father, Q, who’d been on tour with them.
Just like our relationship, we got married in our own way. We walked each other down the aisle with Roscoe and Reaper, waving and smiling at all the friends and family who came to celebrate with us. The Tangerines stood on my side as my witnesses. The Mantas stood on Seth’s.
“You look beautiful, Annalise.” Seth cupped my face in his hands the way I loved and kissed me gently on the lips.
“Let’s get hitched.” I winked.
“Yes, Future Wife.”
The entire short ceremony we laughed, smiled, and traded touches that probably weren’t normally appropriate for a wedding, but we weren’t normal.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss…each other!” Isaac laughed, shaking his head.
I jumped into Seth’s arms. He caught me easily, just like he always did, and we melded our mouths together as Roscoe and Reaper yipped. The crowd cheered, but I barely heard them. I was too busy getting lost in my husband, whose kisses still made me dizzy and my knees weak.
“Is this real?” I asked for old time’s sake. I rarely needed to ask anymore.
Neither did Seth. But he grinned anyway and kissed me until my toes curled. “As real as it gets, gorgeous.” Then he kissed me again, earning us a whole lot of hooting and hollering from our very rowdy friends. “Now everything is perfect,” he teased as he set me on my feet. “Let’s go celebrate, Wife.”
“Happy to, Husband.”
We partied all night long, having the time of our lives. Then we changed into pajamas and piled into Seth’s truck, driving eleven hours into the mountains where no one could find us until we wanted to be found.
* * *
Everett Anson and Willa Cooper have been best friends since college.
And they’ve been in love with each other just as long.
Everyone knows it…but them.
With Willa in town permanently it’s only a matter of time before one of them realizes their chemistry is much hotter than simple friendship. Especially since they seem to have a knack for getting stuck together in unpredictable situations.
Or maybe it’s the universe giving them a nudge.
