“Um huh,” Reid says into the microphone on the stage. “I have a song I wrote specifically for Ellie. Would you all like to hear it?”
“Yes,” I yell.
He jumps off the stage and selects one of two guitars from next to his table. They must have been there the whole time, but I was so wrapped up in Fletch, I failed to notice. He climbs up on the stage with the calm presence of someone who’s been doing this his whole life.
“This is going to be acoustic. I hope you don’t mind.” He’s talking to us as a group.
He adjusts the microphone. “This is for the second greatest girl I know.”
“Second greatest?” I say loudly, so that he can hear me.
“Well…” he winks at Paige, and she visibly swoons. “Since it’s your wedding, I’ll say you are the greatest girl I know.”
“That’s better,” I tease.
He strums his guitar, tuning it, I guess. But then he begins to sing, and once again, I’m reminded of what a talent Reid is. Despite all his pot-smoking, lack of college education, and general debauchery, he’s insanely talented.
Paige rushes up to me and grabs my hand, pulling me closer to the stage. Even though the song is acoustic, it’s still a rock song. And stripped away of all the back-up drums and bass, Reid’s voice shines.
“Dance,” Paige orders. Her body sways from side-to-side, and she coaches me to do the same. “C’mon everyone. Get up and dance.”
Brady and Fletch rush to our sides. Fletch grabs my hand and twirls me away and back into him.
“You’re so hot,” he whispers in my ear when I’m folded back into his arms.
Next to us Brady and Paige are engaged in a dance-off.
When the song is over, Reid says, “Who wants more?”
We all cheer.
“Can you follow me?” he asks the drummer.
“Of course.”
Reid reaches into his guitar case and pulls out some papers. He walks over to the drummer, hands him the paper, and resumes his spot on the stage. “How about a little concert? I came prepared to play, after all.”
“Yes, please!” I yell.
“That’s my girl,” Fletch says. “That’s the Ellie I’ve missed.”
“I’ve missed her, too,” I say. And I have. Somewhere along the way, I’ve lost touch with who I really am and turned into a bitter, depressed shrew.
The drummer taps out a beat, and Reid has switched to an electric guitars.
My dad, Mrs. Colson, and the Pearsons stay seated at their tables. But that doesn’t stop hurricane Paige. She bullies them into getting up and dancing. Surrounded by the people who love us, tears well in my eyes.
I couldn’t ask for a better wedding.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
After Reid’s third song, Fletch says, “Take off your shoes.”
When I do, without asking questions, he takes my hand and guides me out of the pavilion and toward the water. He wraps his arms around me as we stare out at the seeming endless cape. The boats and helicopter from earlier are gone. It’s just the two of us.
“This has been the best night of my life,” I say. Gentle waves wash over our feet. The water is a bit chilly, but I don’t care. I’ve Fletch to keep me warm.
"Why don't we say goodnight to our guests and head off to bed?" Fletch nibbles my neck.
Heat rushes into my cheeks. I shouldn't be embarrassed. After all, Fletch is my husband, and we're supposed to have sex. But the thought of everyone knowing what we're doing is somewhat mortifying. Especially my dad.
And after his speech, I can only imagine what Brady will say when we announce our intentions.
I turn around so that Fletch and I are facing each other. "Is it ridiculous that I'm nervous?"
"About what, Ellie?" Fletch strokes my back.
"About everything, to be honest, but mostly about tonight."
"We've made love before."
"I know, but everybody didn't know we were doing it."
Fletch laughs. "So this is about your dad?"
"Yes," I squeak. “I’m not sure I want him knowing about that part of my life.”
"Well, I guess we can consummate the marriage later. I can go to my room and you to yours."
I can't tell if he's being serious or not, his face is such a mask.
"Ummm…well, if you don't want me…" I say, pouting.
Fletch bends forward and kisses my lips. "Of course I want you. I've wanted nothing but you since the day we met."
Funny how hearing him say this makes my knees weak. Knowing that he's been loyal and faith to me all these years feels weird. Especially since I haven't been.
I link my arm through his. "Let's get out of here."
We walk back to the pavilion and find it empty except for the band. They're playing big band music now.
"Where did everyone go?"
"Probably back to their rooms or inside to give us privacy."
Fletch takes my hand and twirls me out onto the dance floor. We sway cheek-to-cheek. His hands roam up and down my back, tangling in my hair.
"Do you remember," he says. "The night at my parents’ Napa house when we all drank too much, and you curled up on the lounge chair with me. We were looking at the stars, and all I could feel was the warmth of your body."
"I remember. It was your birthday. I had on a sweater over my bikini."
Fletch nods. "That was the first time we kissed. I was so confused. I liked you - a lot, but didn't want you to know. I thought it was a birthday kiss, a one-off."
I hold his face between my hands. "I was so nervous. Afraid you'd reject me. It did make things awkward for a while between us."
"But you never gave up on me," Fletch says. "That's why I never gave up on you loving me again. We have a bond that goes deeper than love. You're so wedged into my soul, I don't know how I existed without you."
“By all accounts, you didn’t.”
“It was a gray world, Ellie. I’d hear about you from Brady, and it seemed like you had moved on. New boyfriends, a new city, a new life. I felt I couldn’t compete.”
I kiss the palm of his hand, and he sighs. "I never stopped loving you,” I say. “I was trying to fill up the hole you left behind. I went about it the wrong way, but I didn’t understand what happened."
"I promise to never do that again. I promise to protect your sweet, fragile heart, and do my best each day to be the best husband. You deserve no less."
“And I promise to never close my heart off to you again. That I’ll talk to you and work out any misunderstandings.”
We stop swaying. Fletch takes my hand. "Shall we, Mrs. Colson?"
The embarrassment from earlier has disappeared. "Of course."
We walk the short path back to the house. When we reach the steps to go inside, Fletch asks, "Your room or mine?"
"Mine, please." I don't know why, but I feel more comfortable there.
The house is silent, and I'm beginning to wonder if everyone has left us alone in the house. "Fletch, where is everyone?"
He shrugs. "I really don't care as long as they're not hanging out in your room."
We climb the stairs together, my hand in Fletch's. Unlike earlier, it's no longer clammy. Instead, he radiates a warm confidence. Like he knows exactly what he's doing. Which is fine by me - I feel like I'm flying blind.
Once we’re at my door, Fletch throws it open before lifting me up into his arms. "I know this isn't our home, but I feel like I should carry you over the threshold."
"Oh,” I say. "I thought it was so you could throw me on the bed and ravish me."
A devious glint fills his eyes. "That too."
He kicks the door shut, and makes his way across the room to the bed. With a smile, he drops me on the bed and proceeds to lie down next to me. His hands are all over me, pulling the skirt of my dress up. "Ellie, Ellie, Ellie," he says while unzipping my dress. "You're wearing too many layers. Let's get you out of some of them."
I stand up and allow h
im to undress me. He takes his time, stopping to kiss each newly exposed piece of skin. His lips press warm into my cool skin.
When I'm undressed and standing only in my bra and panties, I begin to undress Fletch. When I fumble with his cufflinks, he laughs and helps me. Soon we're both standing in only our underclothes.
"You are so beautiful," he says, running his hand over my side and sending shivers down my spine.
I stretch out on the bed and reach for him. He eagerly crawls to my side and unsnaps my bra. My exposed breasts graze his bare chest.
"Perfect," he says, kissing one breast than the other. "Just like you."
I allow him to remove my panties and wait for him to take off his boxer briefs. No matter how many times I see Fletch naked, I'll never get over how incredibly gorgeous he is.
I reach for him, and he covers my stomach with kisses. "Just relax," he says. "Let me please you."
His hand darts between my thighs, and I moan.
Fletch smiles the smile of a content man.
His kisses move lower on my abdomen, and my fingers play with his hair, pushing him down lower.
He laughs. "Greedy girl."
“I am,” I say breathlessly. “So fucking greedy.”
Fletches tongue flicks over my pink parts, lingering just long enough to make me squirm before starting again.
My knees tremble, and my insides jitter. "No," I order. "Come up here."
He takes one look at my face and scurries to my side. I pull him closer to me, and kiss him deeply. Our tongues tangle, and Fletch sighs.
I roll over and climb on top of him. Fletch gasps as I lower myself down the length of his shaft one centimeter at a time.
"I love you," I say, whispering into his ear. "I'll love you forever."
"And ever," he answers.
Part Five: MONDAY
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"Hi," Fletch says, stroking my hair and pushing it back from my face. "Did you sleep well?"
I blink my eyes open, trying to place where I am. Was yesterday real? Did we really get engaged and married after not speaking in two years.
Please tell me it wasn’t a beautiful dream.
"Hey," Fletch says softly, nudging me with his arm. "Wake up, love."
I cover my mouth with my hand, aware that I have awful morning breath, and say, "It was the best sleep I’ve had since…well, since you left me. Having you close made me feel like I was home.”
“You are.” Fletch removes my hand and kisses the underside of my wrist. Tingles race up my arm and into the rest of my eager body. We spent the night re-exploring each other, and it was heavenly.
"Are you happy?" Fletch asks, sucking on my fingertips.
"Absolutely," I wrap him in my arms, and he lays his head in the crook of my shoulder.
"I know you probably dreamed of something more extravagant with more of your friends and family present, but—"
I place my hand over his mouth. "Hush. Our wedding was perfect because it was our wedding. I don't care if there were a handful or a hundred people there. Besides, we were surrounded by the people who love us the most."
He kisses the top of my head. "You always know just what to say."
"And you always know just what to do," I answer.
He flips back the covers, exposing my naked body and begins kissing my breasts.
"Fletch," I giggle and pull myself into a shivering ball. "What are you doing?"
"My husbandly duties."
I giggle again and yank the covers back up over me. "Well in that case, I think you need to come and find me," I tease.
He dives under the covers, and wades through them until we're face-to-face. "This isn't such a bad way to start off the rest of our lives."
"Not at all. But I need to brush my teeth and take a shower,” I say. “Can’t go downstairs looking like this. And,” I say. “I need to call my boss and quit. Do you think I should give her two weeks notice?”
Fletch lets out a long huff. “You’re killing my morning buzz, Elle.”
“I’m sorry. But I do need to explain why I’m not showing up for work this morning. If I ever want to work again – and I do want to work again - I can’t burn bridges.”
Fletch rolls over, disappointment touches his eyes. "Okay, but don't think I'm letting you out of my grasp so easily."
I slide off the bed, clutch the sheet around me, and make my way to the dresser where my phone sits. I punch in my boss’s number and hold my breath.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Debbie. This is Ellie.”
“Are you calling in sick? I noticed you’re not at work.”
I take a deep breath. “Actually, I’m giving my notice. I got married this weekend and am moving to San Francisco.”
“What?” Shock fills Debbie’s voice. “You got married? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, it wasn’t planned. It just happened.”
“Ellie,” Debbie says. “This is the craziest thing I’ve heard in ages. How well do you know the guy? Is it Michael?”
Everyone at my firm knew Michael and I were dating which was okay since we worked in different departments.
“No, it’s not Michael. His name is Fletch, and we went to school together. We dated for a long time before losing touch.”
“Did you marry Fletch Colson?” Debbie shrieks. “I caught a bit of that on the news last night.”
“I did.”
There’s a long silence before Debbie says, “So I take it you won’t be coming in today or anytime soon.”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to quit immediately.”
“Fletch must be some guy,” Debbie says.
I wink at Fletch. “He is. He certainly is.”
“I think I can swing not having you around. Not that you’re not an integral part of the team, but if you want to leave today, I’ll back your decision.”
“Thank you, Debbie.”
“Congratulations and good luck, Ellie.”
I click off.
Fletch raises his eyebrows. “So?”
“I’m done as of today.” Happiness bubbles inside me. I’m done with my horrible job. I’m done traveling and never being home. I’m done with my old life of pain and misery.
I toss off the sheet. "I'm taking a shower."
"You do that, Sleeping Beauty,” Fletch says, running his eyes up and down my body. “I'll be right here when you're done."
I grin at him devilishly. "Or you could join me."
"Or I could do that."
Fletch rolls off the bed and chases me into the bathroom. When he catches me, I let out a playful yelp.
“How hot do you want it?” he asks.
“Steamy,” I reply in a husky voice.
He reaches into the shower and turns on the water while I hop up onto the vanity. I sit there, swinging my legs a little. Fletch saunters over and stands between them. Our nakedness neither seems awkward nor out-of-place.
With my legs, I grab him around the back of his thighs and pull him closer to me. I'm no longer worried about my morning breath, and I kiss Fletch hard. He gasps.
If last night was about reacquainting ourselves, today is about fun.
When steam rises from the shower, Fletch breaks away from me and turns the handle down. "Your shower awaits."
I climb in, and he follows.
Hot water beats at my back, pushing me closer to Fletch.
“Let me wash your back,” he says. He picks up the bar of soap and motions for me to turn around. Fletch begins soaping my shoulders, working down my back until he’s at my bum. Then he drops the soap and rubs his soapy hands over the insides of my thighs.
A soft moan escapes my lips. “Fletch,” I whisper.
He turns me around and presses his body to mine. He reaches around me, and with his hands, rubs the soap off my back.
Our bodies are pressing into each other, and I can feel Fletch growing harder and harder.
“Ellie,” he says. “Ellie, Ellie
, Ellie.” He pushes hair out of my eyes and lifts me up. I wrap my legs around him and brace myself against the wall. When he enters me, I yield willingly, eager to feel Fletch moving inside me.
We don't come out until the water is cold, and we are shivering.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I stand just behind Fletch, not too much so that I look like I'm hiding, but enough so that I can disguise my embarrassment.
"There they are!" Brady bellows. He looks us up and down. "Seems like it was a very good night."
I blush hard and run my hands through the ends of my damp hair. Everyone sits at the large, rectangular table in the center of the room. So of course Brady has to make an off-colored joke to embarrass me.
"Good morning," Mrs. Pearson says. By the smile she's wearing, it's obvious she's happy that it's not Brady coming down with his bride.
"Good morning," I answer and glance at my bare feet. Everyone is dressed preppy casual. Except me. I'm wearing the jeans I came here with. My sundress parade has ended.
"There's a full brunch buffet," Mrs. Pearson says, motioning toward the chaffing dishes lining the far wall. "I hope you don't mind, Fletch, but we had the caterer stay on."
"That's fine," Fletch says. His fingers tighten around mine. "You only get married once."
It occurs to me that Fletch is picking up the full cost of the wedding - from my dress to the French toast I'm about to eat. He's paid for my dad to be here; he even paid for his own wedding ring.
I'm deeply disturbed by the amount of money he's spent on such a small affair. Not that a bigger wedding would be cheaper, but still.
"The photographers are gone, but you two are splashed all over the internet," Paige says. "Look." She shoves her smartphone in front of my face. "GroundFloor CEO weds in small ceremony." Pictures of Fletch and I cover the screen.
"Is that it?" I say.
"No way. You two are the hot topic of the day. Basically everyone is wondering who the hell you are, Ellie."
"Lovely."
"They'll find out soon enough, won't they Mrs. Colson," Brady teases. "I can only imagine what will happen if you unleash your famous Ellie temper on them."
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