Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Queenie beams. “Yes, we’re just getting underway with a rehearsal.”
“Are there stand-ins available?” Michael asks over Zoom. “I just really want to be able to visualize what it will look like the day of.”
“Sure, yes. I’m happy to hold the iPad and walk you through everything. Madison, you can stand in for Amber, and Crawford, would you do us the honor of standing in for Michael?”
Sawyer’s grandfather winces like he wishes he could. “My bum knees won’t let me stand all that long, but you’re in luck—I know just the man to take your place.”
CHAPTER 13
Songbirds are singing! Bells are ringing! Children everywhere are dancing because Sawyer and I are getting married today!
At this very moment, he’s waiting for me at the altar in the vineyard’s little chapel, haloed by light that pours in through the stained glass windows on either side of him. He’s so handsome I’m taken aback a bit. He’s everything a groom should be: impeccably dressed (he’s wearing dirty work clothes), smiling (he’s visibly fuming), and in love (if he could strangle me with his bare hands, he would).
“Now at this point in the ceremony, Michael will be standing where Sawyer is, your guests will be seated, and the officiant will step forward. Is everything still good to go with your friend Sergio?”
“Yes! He’s been ordained on some website. It’ll be totally hilarious when he puts on the black papal robes we got him. No one’s expecting our good mate to marry us!”
Queenie laughs. “Perfect. Sergio will invite everyone to stand as the chapel doors sweep open, and Amber will appear in the doorway taking everyone’s breath away. There’s your cue, Madison.”
Crawford stands off to the side, smiling a devious little smile. “Dum dum dum-dum,” he hums as I start the slow march toward Sawyer, pretending I’m carrying a bouquet in my hands.
“We’ll have your string quartet all set up, of course,” Queenie confirms, following me up the aisle with her iPad.
Sawyer shifts uncomfortably and scratches his jaw. It’s clear he wants to be anywhere but here. I can’t imagine how Crawford convinced him to do this for us. Well, it’s probably not for us. It’s for Queenie. Sawyer has no problem with my sweet mother.
“Amber, at the end of the aisle, your brother will hand you off to Michael. And here, Michael, I’d invite you to shake her brother’s hand or offer a hug. It’s a moment the photographer will want to capture.”
“Noted.”
“Then Amber, you’ll accept Michael’s hands as he extends them for you to take.”
Sawyer, playing Michael’s part, doesn’t move. He’s looking at the ground, ignoring us.
“You’ll accept Michael’s hands,” Queenie stresses again, and Sawyer clears his throat as a subtle protest before he plays along, reaching his hands out for mine.
Crawford whoops from the back of the chapel. The old man has yet to sit down. Bum knees? I think not.
The moment Sawyer’s hands wrap around mine, I feel it. That impossible-to-ignore zap that jolts your body, screaming soulmate status. People spend their whole lives searching for it. Did I get zapped by Matthew? No, and I feel guilty admitting that.
This is not good! NOT GOOD.
I’m sweating. Adrenaline courses through me like I’m about to take flight. Fortunately, Sawyer’s strong hands stay clasped around mine, holding me steady despite my nerves. Can he feel the tension between us or is his judgment too clouded by his newfound hatred of me?
I don’t hate him. Not at all. The bitterness I’ve felt in the last two days has apparently burned off because now, all of a sudden, I wish we were standing on this altar all alone. I wish I could force him to hear me out. I wish I could edge slightly closer to him and—
“And now Amber and Michael, you’ll stare adoringly into each other’s eyes”—Queenie doesn’t have to pause here because Sawyer and I are already demonstrating this—“and then Michael, you’ll whisper something sweet and reassuring to your bride-to-be…”
Sawyer frowns, his eyebrows pinching together in consternation. His eyes drift down over my face, resting on my mouth for a moment before he looks away, saying nothing at all.
“And Madison—err, Amber,” Queenie corrects, “you’ll blush sweetly and everyone will eat it up.”
No problem there. My cheeks are already scorching.
“At this point, your officiant will take over, leading you both through the ceremony. Toward the end, you two will share your vows and exchange rings…”
Queenie continues, and this rehearsal is starting to feel like background noise. All I can focus on is the firm grip of Sawyer’s hands, his angry expression.
“Please,” I mouth.
I swear his eyes soften.
“—and then that leads to the best part!” Queenie goes on. “‘You may now kiss the bride’ and an introduction of the newly married couple.”
“Well? What are you waiting for? Let’s have a kiss!” Amber shouts.
WHAT?!
I panic before she laughs, tacking on, “Only kidding! They’re just such a handsome pair! Couldn’t resist.”