“Hi,” I whisper to Vienna. My pulse is too fast, but hers is no different. I let go of her hand and the reverend starts the ceremony.
When I asked Vienna about forgoing the vows, she thankfully agreed. I’m sure she understood that I’m fucking scared of speaking in public.
So, we just repeat our I dos after the reverend.
“You may kiss the bride.” With a pleased look on his face, the reverend tips his head toward Vienna.
My heart trembles like there’s a storm inside me when I hold Vienna’s hand and place my lips over her soft ones. I try to tell her with that kiss that I’m here, that she isn’t alone. When I open my eyes, hers are closed as she kisses me back, as if saying a soft thank-you.
With her pulse fluttering under my grip, we walk down the aisle and are led to the reception hall for cake cutting.
Everyone gasps at the sight of a three-tier designer wedding cake. Hope has yet again outdone herself. She has personalized the cake by including Vienna’s eternity band design and flowing letters V and Z on all the sides.
Vienna’s grip on my hand tightens as she looks around, and finally her gaze settles on me. Her face is serious, and it doesn’t take a genius to know what she’s thinking. For a second, I share her worry.
Am I seriously betraying my family for this stranger?
But the next time I look down at her hand, my gaze lands on the faint bruise on her wrist.
During her procedure, the doctors couldn’t find her vein and had to try multiple spots on her wrist, which later turned blue and black
She’s the reason I’m doing this.
* * *
After the cake, we’re sitting at a round table surrounded by my family. But just at the end of the hall, I notice Lukas standing with an older gentleman dressed in the inn’s staff uniform. It doesn’t seem like they’re discussing anything casual. Lukas grabs his neck before his gaze meets mine. There’s a moment of hesitation when he looks away and finally marches out of the hall.
Before I can think more of the scene, Kristy calls out my name in the microphone.
“Zane and Vienna, get ready for the bride and groom dance.”
We haven’t even vacated our seats and the soft notes fill the air. My gaze follows the music, and I find Rose on the piano. She’s sitting between Alex and Sophia, playing the tunes of “When I Fall in Love.”
I get down on one knee and ask for Vienna’s hand. She continues to stare at me with wide eyes as I lead her to the middle of the dance floor. My pulse trips when her touch settles on my shoulders, and I grab her thin waist, accentuated by the ball gown. The music flows, but Vienna remains weirdly impassive. I don’t like her uncharacteristic silence.
“Ar-re you regretting mar-rrying me already?”
Her gaze slides from me to my family, who are looking at us with adoration, and then back to me. “It’s the opposite,” she whispers. “I’m regretting that this isn’t real.”
My breath hitches and I swallow the nervousness, missing my mint tin badly. But instead of backpedaling as I expected she would, Vienna places her head on my chest and sighs.
“Let me think this dream, this childhood wish of marrying a prince, is real for a while.”
Her wistful voice breaks my heart, shattering it into a million pieces. I close my eyes and inhale the mild smell of her coconut shampoo. I don’t know how Rose decided on a song that’s a promise of the love of a lifetime, but it seems oddly fitting to how I feel right now. My lips press against her ear as I whisper, “Th-this is r-real.”
* * *
The metal cans tied to the rear bumper of my car rattle as Vienna and I make our way toward the cabin.
“I can’t believe your family did all that,” she squeals, surprise apparent in her tired voice.
“I t-told you, my nephews have been w-watching too much of the Hallmark Channel.”
She shakes her head, her eyes shimmering with excitement and giddiness. “You’re extremely lucky to have such a loving family, Zane. They all love you so much.”
“Now you t-too.”
Before she can tell me how this is a lie or that she wishes this was real, I hit the gas, taking my bride away from everyone to our home.