“Now, by the power vested in me by the state of Arizona, it is my delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.”
Cheers erupt around us but I don’t hear a sound. No. I’m flying high as my husband—my Tate Reynolds—takes me in his arms and kisses me with all the love in the world. I gladly kiss him back.
After pictures, we hit the food trucks and I have no shame or fear at scarfing down a loaded hotdog in my pristine gown.
“I can’t believe you. First the shoes. Now this?” Kate glares, her judgmental stare conveying all her disappointment.
“Oh, yeah? You’re saying you’d do your wedding differently?” I challenge sweetly, catching Jon’s gaze over her shoulder. He steps closer as Kate rolls her eyes.
“Obviously. Sure, this is totally you and Tate so I get the food truck thing, but come on. Hotdogs?”
“You think about our wedding?” Jon interrupts.
Kate whips her gaze in his direction. “Oh, um ...” Her attention flips back to me and she narrows her glare. My wide smile gives away the fact I knew he was eavesdropping. “Nice.” She mouths but I only shrug, shoving the remaining bite of food in my mouth before turning to go find Tate.
He’s standing a few feet away chatting with his parents so I step across the lawn to join them. My smile widens at seeing our close friends and family enjoying all the different food truck cuisine, Waffle Love, Queso Good, Rock A Belly, and of course Short Leash. Say what they will, it’s not formal by any means, but no one is leaving our party hungry.
“Evie, you are absolutely stunning.” Tate’s mom wraps me in a hug.
“You two lovebirds did good. We still seeing you next week?” His dad asks.
“That’s the plan.” Tate holds my hand, as he’s been doing all day. It’s as if he can’t stand to be apart. “We’re not heading out until Monday, but we should reach Portland by Friday.”
Our honeymoon adventure is only the beginning of things I’m looking forward to doing with this man.
“You all packed?” his mom asks and we both laugh. Tate shakes his head.
“No. Haven’t even started.”
I smile and nod, but when my gaze catches sight of a certain blonde from his past heading our way, it’s a challenge to maintain politeness. “Babe, can I steal you for a second?” I say, but it’s not really a request as I tug him away from his family and behind one of the food trucks for privacy.
“Evie?”
“Seriously? You invited your ex to our wedding?” I’m incredulous that he could be this stupid.
“What?” At his confused frown I lean around the truck and point. His gaze follows my finger, and his lips pull up with a grin when he notices her. “I didn’t, but it looks like Jerry did.”
“Jerry?TheJerry. The guy from your gym that Jon set up last year? I take it things didn’t work out with him and Stacey.” My eyes widen and I cringe, remembering that witch of a woman.
Tate chuckles. “One and the same. Yeah, Stacey only lasted as long as he could block out her personality. Surprised he didn’t run when I made the suggestion to hook him up again. He’s honestly such a good guy.”
“That’s what Jon says. They still meet up to lift weights sometimes. At least I think they do.” Tate laughs and pulls me back out to rejoin our reception. “What’s so funny?”
“Jerry’s my friend, too. We all meet up once a week to lift.”
“Oh, right.” I shake my head and Tate squeezes my hand. I’m not sure exactly why until he turns us so we almost run into Jerry and Lindsay.
“Tate, congrats. Evie, you look absolutely stunning,” Lindsay gushes and Jerry offers a similar compliment. As much as I don’t want it to be true, it still irks me that this woman continues to insert herself into my life. Logically, I know it’s not her fault she met Tate years ago, or that they dated. I have nothing to be worried about. Hell, if the rock on my left hand isn’t proof enough, the man’s complete devotion to me should be reason to not give this woman another thought. But as the guys joke back and forth, I find it difficult to paste a polite smile in place.
Lindsay grips a bottle of Heineken and twists it in her hands, chancing a glance at me while the guys get lost on a tangent about next year’s NFL draft. “Thank you,” she says, stepping closer to my side.
I tilt my head, confused as to what exactly she’s referring.
“Not only for allowing me to be here today.” She takes a deep breath, and I don’t have it in me to inform her I had no clue she would be. If I had a choice in the matter, she wouldn’t. “It’s just that moving here has been difficult. Work’s great! It’s just that I don’t know anyone. When I found out Tate taught at the gym near my apartment, it was like the universe was offering a sign that I wasn’t alone. Not many women I know would be okay with me being friends with their fiancé ... or now, husband. Not after we dated. But he’s a great trainer and now ...” She leans in conspiratorially. Her gaze flicks to Jerry, and it’s there, in her trace of a smile, in the adoration in her eyes, I see it. She’s totally smitten. “We’ve only been on three dates, but I can’t help but think—just know—he’s the one.”
“Oh, well. Yeah.” I blubber because I start to feel badly. All this time I thought she had corrupt intentions.
“Was it like that with you and Tate? Did you justknow? Like, I don’t want to be unrealistic or get my hopes up, but Jerry ... he’s so attentive. God, he wears a suit well. Time in the gym well spent. And fuck. I’ve always had a thing for redheads.” She giggles and I can’t help but smile along with her. She lowers her voice so only I can hear, “Girl, I need some advice!”
