He tugs my face to look at him again. “I think I am asking her right now.”
My heart is beating so hard I’m almost embarrassed. I’m sure he can hear it—that he knows exactly how excited and nervous I am right now.
“I can come.” I nod.
“Good. I want everyone to see us, together. As a couple.” He presses his face to the top of my head. “You were neverjusta friend to me, Piper.”
30
PONTIUS
“You look beautiful,” I say the moment that I think she can hear my words. The sun is low over the horizon and the spring air is crisp and fresh. Clear skies and the perfect weather for Bailey and Sacha’s outdoor wedding. I adjust my sunglasses that keep out the fading rays of daylight. I’ll be able to walk around comfortably without them once the sun has set.
Piper’s face lights up at the compliment as she steps out of her Uber. Her bright red curls are pinned up with little ringlets hanging around her face. She’s wearing a pretty yellow dress that highlights her freckled skin and shows off her amazing curves. I cannot wait to take her back to my place and see what’s under the dress.
“Thanks.” Her cheeks pinken, and she looks at her feet, where the dust of the gravel parking lot settles onto her heeled sandals. “You look nice too,” she blurts without looking up.
“Did your shoes tell you that?” I ask.
She glances up with a little scowl between her brows. I take the opportunity to lean in and kiss her. She’s mine now. I know it, she admits it, and I’m going to kiss her every chance I get.
“My mom bought me this dress,” she tells me when I come up for air. “It’s the only thing in my closet nice enough to wear to a fancy wedding like this.”
“I could’ve bought you something new,” I offer. “Something you actually want to wear.”
The loose curls around her face bounce when she shakes her head. “I’d rather you bought me a new video game, or a new costume for the Renaissance festival, or a VHS copy ofTammy and the T-Rex.”
“I can get you all of those things, my flame.”
“But youwon’t,right?” she teases. “You aren’t going to buy me every little thing that I ask for.”
“I can never buy you anything?” My antennae droop a little. I know what she’s said, but it makes me happy to shower her with things that she loves.
“I guess youcouldput those items into your notes app under a list called ‘Presents to Buy Piper for Her Birthday, which is August 3rd’.”
“I will be doing that.”I grin. She will have the greatest birthday, full of anything and everything she could ever ask for. There are going to be many years for me to shower her with gifts and presents. “Are you ready?”
I reach for her hand, she nods and intertwines her fingers with mine, her eyes shine with the kind of admiration that makes me nervous to disappoint her. It’s like the first night we met all over again. We’re here tonight, as a couple, and this time everyone will know we are together.
I rarely go to large events. The crowds make me nervous, and the noise gives me a headache, but I couldn’t miss this wedding, not when Sacha’s been such a huge part of my life for so long. He’s my family. I want to be here for him.
With Piper at my side, everything seems a little bit easier; a little more possible. She’s so good to me. So kind andaccommodating. I want to be good for her in return. Other than buying her things, I’m not entirely sure what that entails.
She smiles up at me, her skin glowy in the afternoon light.
I rest my hand gently on her back.
There. That’s boyfriend stuff.
We follow a short trail through tall trees that takes us to the small clearing where the ceremony is taking place. The forest keeps the area shaded and temperate. The crowd isn’t small. Humans and cryptids intermingle in every direction, with a lot of Bigfoots in attendance.
Piper finds us seats near the side, away from the majority of the crowd. She makes a point to check if I’m comfortable or overstimulated before we sit down. I casually slip my hand into hers, intertwining our fingers. She clasps my hand tightly and pulls it into her lap.
Yes. This is all definitely boyfriend stuff.
The wedding is perfect. The ceremony starts just before dusk. Bailey wears an elaborate gown covered in embroidered flowers and vines. She fits into the setting perfectly. Sacha cannot take his eyes off his bride the moment she appears.
I’ve never been to a human wedding before. I know a lot of the customs from TV and movies, but this is the first I’ve ever attended in person. It’s better than I expected. Especially with Piper at my side.
