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“This is it, cupcake,” he whispered. “You’re officially someone else’s problem now.” I laughed through my tears, and when my brothers laughed too, I knew they’d all heard him. The pastor cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today to celebrate Greer and Beckett as they proclaim their love and commitment to each other. And we are gathered to rejoice, with them and for them, in the new life that they undertake with each other.” My dad’s hands squeezed mine. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the pastor asked. “Her mother and I do,” he said, voice clear and sure. My ribs were too tight, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude and so much sadness that he wouldn’t be with us forever that I could hardly stand straight. But I pulled strength from his face and allowed him to hand me off to Beckett, whose eyes were suspiciously red as his palm slid under mine. My tears ebbed, faced with this handsome stranger who I hardly knew. His hand was tight on mine, a necessary anchor in the midst of all the whirling chaos in my head. We listened, eyes on each other as the pastor said a few words about love and commitment. We repeated our vows, the words hardly even registering as they passed my lips. And when we slid rings on each other’s fingers, mine trembled slightly. Maybe it wasn’t going to be legal–he was doing it for his daughter, I was doing it for my dad–, but as Beckett pushed a simple gold band past my knuckle, holy cow did it feel real. “By the power of the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He smiled. “You may kiss your bride.” Right. Beckett gave me a small, secret smile, and I exhaled a quiet laugh. Like I was something precious and rare, he cupped my face in both hands, eyes unbearably earnest, and then he leaned forward to slide his lips over mine. My free hand curled around his forearm, and I found myself leaning forward when he pulled back. He didn’t retreat, though. He searched my eyes, then kissed me again, sucking my lower lip between his, yanking a surprised whimper from underneath my ribs. Someone whistled, and I pulled away, resting my forehead against his while my family clapped and yelled. “We did it,” he whispered. “Almost,” I said, and grinned. “Just gotta get that marriage license,” I whispered against the shell of his ear. Beckett tipped his head back and laughed, and I imagined how we must look. The blushing bride and the happy groom. Even I was almost convinced it was real. Almost. Continue reading ONE AND ONLY Free in Kindle Unlimited! 📚 www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW6HW3M6