As we pulled up, my heart started pounding. Layton and Reed had gotten everything ready during the last few weeks. They had made the road smooth, so everyone could drive up to the wedding site in their cars. After the concrete had been poured last week, the path to the gazebo had been built. It was lined with LED candles and looked beautiful.
My mother and Court helped me out of the car and carried the train of my dress over to the walkway. I laughed at how wide Layton had made the sidewalk. He’d kept saying he didn’t want my dress to drag on the ground.
“I still can’t get over how big this sidewalk is. They sure as shit do everything big in Texas,” Courtney said.
My mother and Jen both laughed.
“You said a bad word, Miss Courtney,” Kate said as she looked at Courtney and shook her head.
“Oops, sorry, Katie Mac. ”
Courtney had gotten into the habit of calling Kate that ever since she had watched her one night when Kate had insisted she was allergic to mac and cheese and could only eat chocolate ice cream.
As the music began playing, I felt like I was going to throw up.
I frantically looked at my mother. “Mom. ”
She reached over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She moved her mouth close to my ear. “Baby girl, you look breathtaking. Layton is going to shit his pants when he sees you,” she whispered so that Kate couldn’t hear her.
I let out a laugh and instantly felt calmer. My mother handed me my bouquet of white roses and smiled as she turned and made her way down the sidewalk.
My father walked up to me and smiled. “Whitley,” he barely said. “My God…you are the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen. That bastard better know how lucky he is. ”
I smiled as my father held out his arm. I took it and turned to where the love of my life was waiting. I watched as Kate took off down the sidewalk, skipping and dropping white and red rose petals along the way. Jen went next, trying to quietly tell Kate to slow down.
Oh my God. I’m getting married. I think I’m going to puke.
My father placed his hand on top of mine. “Breathe, Whit. Just take deep breaths. ”
Courtney was up last, and she started to walk, but then she stopped and turned to look at me. “I love you, Whitley. Layton is one lucky son of a bitch. ”
“That’s what I said!” my father said with a laugh.
When Courtney went up and over the hill, they changed the music to the wedding march.
I looked at my father. “Dad…I can’t move. ”
“Do you love him, Whitley?”
I closed my eyes and pictured Layton’s face with his beautiful blue eyes and smile that melted my heart every time. I could hear him whispering in my ear how much he loved me as we made love. I snapped my eyes open and looked at my father.
“More than anything. I love him so much, Daddy. It scares me. ”
“Then, are you ready to marry him?”
I smiled and nodded. I started down the path that would lead me to Layton. As we turned the corner, I saw all of the chairs filled with people.
Oh shit. Who in the hell are all of these people? I don’t remember inviting all of them.
I started to slow down.
My father whispered, “Whit, look at him. Look at Layton. ”
I snapped my eyes up, and immediately, I was looking at Layton. I sucked in a breath of air. “Oh…God…” I whispered.
He had the biggest smile on his face. He looked so handsome, and I instantly felt that familiar ping between my legs. He was dressed in a black tux with a silver vest and light silver–blue tie.
As we drew closer, I felt my stomach twisting and turning. Layton walked up, and my father leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Layton pulled back and just stared at my father in horror as everyone started laughing. I turned and tilted my head as my father kissed me on the cheek.