Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
His eyes dropped like my words hit him in a tender spot.
“We fell in love in secret. Our love blossomed despite the torrential rains that hit us. It’s always been him and me—and that’s how I want this to be.” Wolfe never officially moved in with me, but he pretty much did right off the bat. Our relationship matured by years instead of months. At this point, this ceremony at the church felt more like a formality, because he already felt like my husband. “I hope you can understand that.”
Leo stared at his hands for a while before he lifted his chin and looked at me again. “You’re right.”
“I know.”
The corner of his mouth tugged in a momentary smile. “Happy for you both.”
“Thanks.” I stared at him and waited for him to leave.
He lingered and stared at me like he had more to say.
I tried to be kinder, but my patience was limited. The vineyard had been rebuilt and life continued on once more, but I couldn’t forget what had happened in the hallway right outside my door. I would never forget the moment I realized that my brother had been the rat all along. The way he’d pinned everything on Wolfe to throw my father off the scent. If that hadn’t happened, my father might have accepted our relationship.
Leo must have realized further conversation was pointless because he rose from the chair. “Back to work, then.”
“Alright.” I turned back to the laptop and focused on my email again. But then I felt a stare from across the room, so my eyes flicked back to the door.
Leo suddenly walked out, but it seemed like he’d been standing there, staring at me.
Just two minutes later, heavy boots sounded outside my office.
I knew exactly who it was without looking.
Wolfe approached my desk. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah. He asked to come to the wedding, and I told him to fuck off.”
He gave a nod as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I figured. He mentioned it to me a couple days ago.”
I immediately glanced down to his left hand, where white gauze was wrapped around one of his fingers. “What happened?”
He extended his hand and smirked as he admired the bandage. “Just got some ink done.”
“Oh, I was afraid you had cut yourself.”
“If I had, I would have run straight to my favorite nurse.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I smirked. “Ah, I remember those days.” I looked at his hand again. “What did you get?”
“You really can’t figure it out?” he asked with amusement. “My wedding band.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t considered what he would wear. I guess I’d thought he wouldn’t wear a wedding band at all. He didn’t seem like the kind of man to wear jewelry.
“Did you already buy me a ring?”
“No. I just didn’t think you’d wear anything.”
“Not wear anything?” he asked with a laugh. “Try to go out without your wedding ring and see how that goes.”
“I only mean that you work with your hands a lot, so…”
“And that’s why I chose the ink. A black band with an F in the middle.”
“That’s…really sweet.” Wolfe had been nothing but sweet since we’d met, but he continued to surprise me. He was so good-looking that it was hard to believe he could be monogamous and so committed without ever having been in a relationship prior. It made me feel more special.
“You’re going to get some ink too.”
“I am?”
“Eventually. Maybe my name on your hip, somewhere only I can see.”
I had my hair and makeup done at the salon down the street from the church. My hair was styled in big, soft curls. I didn’t want to look completely different on my wedding day, so I had my makeup applied the same way as I usually did it, just a little darker and heavier.
I knew I should feel a bunch of knots in my stomach, but I felt nothing at all.
Only peace.
I felt like I was coming home after a long day at the office. Felt like I’d finally reached my destination after a long flight. Felt like the chaos of the world had finally died down—and now everything made sense.
The cobblestones were way too precarious for me to handle in heels, so I walked barefoot to the church and up the steps before I sat on the bench out front and secured the straps to my sky-high white heels. I wore a diamond necklace and the ring that he’d given me, the ring I only took off when I showered and slept.
I righted myself and approached the large double doors to the church, staring at the old wood for a moment. I still felt peace, but I also felt excitement and joy and desperation. My hand finally turned the knob, and I opened the enormous door, knowing Wolfe was already waiting for me.
It was sunset when I opened the door, and the sunlight stretched across the tile floor before I stepped inside. The enormous church was empty, the inside of the dome painted in a beautiful fresco of angels. All the pews were empty of people. Leo and I used to come to this church every Sunday morning with my father for church. We still attended as adults, just not as often.