That part draws a few laughs, almost exclusively from my side of the aisle.

“But seriously, everything between us is easy, and that speaks volumes. I like that you ask for space and give it just as freely. I like that you know who you are, where you want to go, and how you’re going to get there. You impress me on so many levels. Your drive fuels mine. But more than anything, I love the possibilities of what we can accomplish together. The promise of our future. I want to do this only once, and I vow to do everything in my power to never make you question the choice you made today.”

Ella’s eyes are glistening, and she appears choked up by my words. She takes in a small breath and tilts her head, her gaze searching the area behind me. After a few seconds, her face falls, then she draws back and returns my stare.

She’s nervous, of course. This is a major milestone in our relationship. Maybe the pressure of helping to plan this wedding has taken a toll on her. I’ve done what I thought was my fair share, but who’s to say I shouldn’t have done more?

The officiant turns to our guests. “Dean and Ella would like their friends and family to take part in their special day by answering this question: Do you support this couple as they embark on the next part of their journey?”

The guests respond enthusiastically, albeit clumsily, some simply stating, “Yes,” and others proclaiming, “We do.” Good-natured laughter follows, then a lone voice cuts through the chuckles and chatter and says, “I don’t.”

A few people gasp. Others straighten in their seats as if the ceremony just got interesting. I search for the source of the commotion, my gaze eventually landing on the woman I met in the hallway fifteen minutes ago: Lina’s cousin Solange.

She emerges from her spot near a tall hedge bordering the garden and looks at me with regret in her eyes.

I croak out a few words, which is a miracle in itself since I’m fucking dumbfounded. “What the hell’s going on?”

She ignores my question and directs her own to my bride instead: “Ella, this is one of the most important decisions of your life. It’s not just about you. This affects Dean too. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

Hold up. This woman, who I didn’t even know an hour ago, is trying to stop my wedding?

What. The. Fuck?

Chapter Three

Solange

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. Did I say that out loud?