Goose bumps erupt on my flesh at the thought and I can’t even stop the squeal from leaving my lips. “Yes!” I turn to my dad, who’s equally teary-eyed. “Absolutely.” I grin. “Is he ready?”

He chuckles, blinking the tears away. “What did I tell you both about making me switch roles between your dad and his best friend?”

It had been a long road of crying and even more arguments but my parents had finally accepted me and Jacob together. Jacob’s relationship with my parents wasn’t ever the same as it was before, but if possible, it had transformed into something even better.

I giggle and give him my best eyes, imploring him with a look just as the song indicating it’s time for me to take that walk begins to play. “Yeah, Whit. He’s ready.” He links his arm through mine as the doors open to the outside and I’m greeted with the eyes of one hundred people staring at me. “I’ve known him over half his life and I’ve never seen him in love before.” He nods to the end of the aisle where Jacob stands with Trey and my brother behind him staring at me with tears in his eyes.

I have a veil over my eyes and I have to be at least forty feet away but our eyes are locked as I make my way down the aisle stepping on the white rose petals beneath my feet.

I meet my mom’s teary eyes as she rests her hand over her heart. I love you, she mouths.

I love you too. I mouth back just as we make it to the top of the aisle.

Jacob’s eyes finally leave mine as he runs his gaze down the length of my gown and then back up to my face.

“Wow,” he whispers.

My father slides my veil up from over my face and kisses my cheek. He places my hand in Jacob’s and moves to stand directly behind him. “You are so beautiful,” he murmurs quietly. “How are you mine?” he says, his eyes wide and unblinking like he can’t believe I’m standing in front of him.

The rest of the ceremony flies by and then he’s leaning down, only an inch or so above me and his hands cradle my face like I’m the most precious thing in the world. “Mrs. Price.”

And then his lips are mine, kissing me so deeply that I hear my father clear his throat behind him and Chloe chuckles from behind me.

When I pull away, I catch the fleeting look in his eye that said, the second I have you alone.

Six Months Later