Deeper Water_Once and Forever 3 by Lauren Stewart

Author:Lauren Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780990334071
Publisher: Off the Hook Publishing

21

Carson

I admit to missing the beginning bits where the officiant said a bunch of crap about love, family, and commitment. I had an important job to do, and my brother was counting on me. So since it was a short ceremony, I missed most of it.

“…and I could be that woman, because you believed in her. Because you believed in me,” Andi said, smiling nervously. She glanced at the officiant, who nodded. “Sooo, I promise to always love, respect, and occasionally obey you. But only when I feel like it and you say ‘please.’”

She waited until everybody was done laughing. “Your turn.”

Hayden took a deep breath. “Anyone who knows me at all knows I worked on my vows for the last six weeks and memorized every word until I could recite them in my sleep. But at this very moment, in front of you and the people we care about, I seem to have forgotten what I’d planned to say.”

Oh shit. Was it in my job description to whisper his lines in his ear if he forgot them? Clear as day, I could see those index cards, resting in one neat pile on the coffee table back in the room. I worked out the math—speed x distance x panic. It would take me about three minutes to sprint there, grab the cards, and run back.

But Hayden wasn’t done talking. “And I don’t think there’s a more apropos way to start my life with you than having to wing it.”

Andi ducked her head and laughed quietly.

“Andi?” Hayden reached out and gently lifted her chin. “I’ve spent my whole life priding myself on being able to handle anything that came at me, logically, rationally, without fear. But then you appeared, and I wasn’t prepared for it. There was nothing logical, or even rational, in how I felt about you. And it terrified me. But something in me, the intuition I’d never really trusted, wouldn’t stop screaming, ‘She’s worth it.’”

Andi’s lip trembled as he spoke honestly, without pride or arrogance. With more vulnerability than I thought my brother capable of. As if they were the only two people talking. As if they were the only two people on this island.

“You knocked me out of a life I was barely living, Andi, and showed me what was possible. Convinced me that not always being in control, or knowing what would happen, was a gift. Every day since then has been more than I ever imagined it could be, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you feel the same way.” My brother sounded so calm, so sure, I knew if I looked at anyone else, they’d be crying.

I only heard bits and pieces of the rest of the vows Hayden and Andi had written for each other. I should’ve at least been paying attention so I didn’t miss my cue, but all I could focus on was my girl.

Lane hadn’t looked at me once, entirely focused on the couple we were here to celebrate.

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