Her hair was loose, with waves cascading down her shoulders, and she was holding a pair of red heels in her hands.Shealready looked amazing, butIknew once she added those strappy red heels, she would look even more tempting, adding to my torture.
“I’m going to take him out quickly beforeIput these heels on,” she said, bringing me out of my stare.
“I’ve got him,”Itold her, holding up the leash in my hands. “Goahead and put your shoes on and do what you need to do, and then we’ll head over.”
Ten minutes later, we were out the door and walking over to the space betweenJack’sandVince’shouses where the wedding was taking place.
We were nearly the last to arrive, so we grabbed two seats and chatted with a few people around us, includingTammyandDiego.Ichecked in withDaneandAndre, who were all set to go and had also made contact with the cops by the entrance.
The music began to play, and everyone who was still milling around took their seats asJack,Wade, andElliemade their way down the aisle.Thenthe music changed, and everyone stood up asRuthieand her grandfather began to walk down the aisle.Iwas so happy that she had a newfound family here through our group of friends and coworkers.Shewas like a sister to me, andIknew she andJackwould keep each other on their toes.
At the end of the aisle,Jackwent to collectRuthiefrom her grandad and muttered something to her as he took her hand.
“Keep it in your pants until the ceremony is over, son,”Ruthie’sgrandfather said, loud enough for all of us to hear, eliciting a round of laughter.
Axel had offered to be their officiant, which would likely make this more entertaining.
Axel began, butIheard a sigh next to me and looked over atAce.Sheseemed to be taking it all in—the guests, the scenery, the decorations—andIrealized she andInever had this.Iknew that ifIwas able to convince her to give me another chance,I’dgive her a real wedding.OnelikeRuthiewas having, where she could invite friends and her family and have decorations and whatever else she wanted.
“Jack, it is now your turn to vow forRuthie,”Axelsaid, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Jack turned toRuthiewith a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Ruthie,I’veknown you were it for me since the dayIwalked intoRangerShieldSecurityand you called me a shitwhistle.”
Laughter filled the crowd as he continued. “Ipromise to always love you, even when you bring home more stray dogs.”
It was true.Theywent from one dog when they first started seeing each other to now having four.
“You keep me on my toes, andIlook forward to you arguing with me about everything under the sun and then having makeup time afterwards.”Jackwinked at her. “AndIpromise to protect you from snakes as long as we both shall live.”
Ace andIchuckled along with the rest of the crowd.
“Ruthie, now it is your turn to vow forJack,”Axelsaid, causing my grin to get even wider.
“Jack…”Ruthie’svoice hitched as she spoke. “WhileIcan’t promise to get to the end of my vows without ugly crying,Ido promise to love you every day.”
Ellie leaned over and handed her a tissue, which she gratefully took.
“I promise not to force you to watch any moreDisneyprincess movies—mostly because we’ve watched them all by now,” she continued. “AndIpromise to love you no matter how loud you snore.You’rethe best thingInever knewIneeded, butI’mso happyIfound you,” she told him, her voice catching on the words. “AlthoughI’mpretty much perfect,Ipromise to continue to grow and love you more and more every day, making me an even more ideal wife.You’rewelcome.”
More chuckles from the crowd asRuthie’svoice hitched for the last part. “Ipromise to be the best partnerIcan be…and make you never regret asking me to marry you.”
“I will never regret it, ever,”Jacksaid and then kissed her.
“Stop that,”Axelchided. “Thisis not how the book says it works.Stopkissing her untilItell you that you can do that, jerkhole.”
Jack pulled back, andIsnorted atAxel’sfrustration and noticedAcecovering her mouth next to me, likely trying to cover a laugh so she didn’t appear rude.
“Okay, by the powers vested in me by the state ofGeorgia,Inow pronounce you the husband and the wife,”Axelfinished. “Nowyou can kiss her.”
The crowd erupted around us, cheering on the newlyweds.Theywalked down the aisle, and as soon as they made it to the end,Jackhanded the bouquet to his sister and turned and threwRuthieover his shoulder.
“Jack!Whatare you doing?”Ruthiesquealed. “I’mperfectly capable of walking to the reception site that is less than fifty feet away.”
“Good to know, but we aren’t going to the reception site,”Jackexplained. “I’mtaking you back to the house soIcan have mymerry way with you.”
Laughter filled the crowd as he carried her down the path that would eventually take them to his place.
People started to get up and make their way to the tent where the reception was being held.
