by Krista Lakes
The fact that Leo still wanted to help Toby, despite everything, showed how good Leo was. He was a good man. I loved him even more. Toby threw away a friendship worth more than anything that blackmail could have given him.
“Well, I need a drink,” Gabe announced, putting his arms across Bastian and Leo's shoulders. “Drinks down at the bar on 13th street?”
“God, yes,” I answered. “It's not even ten in the morning, but I want something.”
Bastian laughed. “You had a rough week. I should give you the day off or something.”
“Yeah, that would be nice,” I replied. “You're not going to do it though, are you?”
Bastian thought for a moment, pushing Gabe's arm off his shoulder. “Nah. No day off.”
“Just come play hookey with me,” Leo whispered. “Gabe'll back us up.”
“I am sticking with no more secrets,” Gabe replied, holding up his hands. “Look at me, being the good person.”
“I'll buy you a drink,” I offered.
“Are you sick with a cold or the stomach bug?” Gabe immediately asked, pulling out an imaginary pen and paper to take notes. “I gotta make sure I tell your boss the right thing.”
All four of us dissolved into laughter, with Bastian holding his sides. It felt good to laugh after the past couple of days. Bastian pretended to punch Leo's broken arm. Leo made a show of wincing and then threatening to push him out window. Gabe mimed opening the window. They looked like twelve-year-old boys having a good time. It was hard to believe they were billionaires.
But these were my friends. I looked around the room, at the bright smiles and light-hearted camaraderie. This was my family. I loved two of these men like brothers and the third was my soul-mate. I couldn't be happier if I tried.
Together, we headed to the elevator. Gabe made fart jokes as we rode down that made me wonder how he ever got girls to go home with him.
Outside, the Florida sun was bright and hot. The air shimmered with heat and humidity and just breathing felt like I was being cooked alive. I missed my Caribbean ocean breezes keeping the heat to a tolerable level.
“You guys go on ahead,” Leo said, catching my hand. “We'll catch up in just a minute.”
Bastian narrowed his eyes. “Be good. She's still my sister and I'll still kick your ass.”
“Oh, give the lovebirds a minute. You don't want to see them making out.” Gabe made a gagging motion. “We'll meet you there.”
Leo pulled on my hand, leading me around the corner of the building to a small nature area where employees could eat their lunches. A small man-made waterfall was the centerpiece with a little brook that meandered around the lunch area.
“I want to thank you, Charlotte,” Leo said, pulling me to him. “You saved me.”
I looked up into his blue eyes, seeing only love and a future of happiness within them. “I love you, Leo. You should know that by now.”
He grinned and my heart pounded in my chest. Even after all that had happened, his smile still made me weak in the knees.
“I am the luckiest man in the world,” he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to mine. Right before they touched, he breathed, “I love you.”
And then he kissed me.
I kissed him back, the sound of the waterfall drowning out everything but him.
Epilogue
I never thought this day would come.
I look down at my white dress and giggle. It feels so surreal. I have to be dreaming, and this has to be the best dream of my life.
I'm going to marry Leo Westbrook.
I've dreamed of this day since I was thirteen years old, and now, finally, it's coming true.
“You ready, Char?” Chloe, my childhood best friend asks. She's grinning at me, looking gorgeous as usual. The same dark hair she shares with her brother is curled into perfect waves. “Everyone's waiting.”
I take one last look in the mirror and then I nod.
I was born ready.
Just outside the door, Bastian is waiting. He's leaning against the wall, pretending to be calm and collected, but I know better. He's nervous. The tick in his jaw and the way the little scar above his eye is pulsing show me that he's nervous.
He smiles and his face softens as he sees me. “Wow,” he whispers. “You look so beautiful.”
I grin. “You don't look so bad yourself,” I tell him. He stands up a little straighter and puffs out his chest.
“Eh, I thought I should dress for the occasion,” he teases. He looks handsome in his dark gray suit with a small white lily in his lapel. He holds out his hand for mine. “Ready?”
I nod. “Are you?”
Instead of starting to walk, he pulls me into a hug, his big arms encircling me and holding me close. For a moment, I am not a grown woman. I am a small girl of five years old and he is my older brother, protecting me from the world.
“I love you,. You are my sister,” he whispers, his voice gruff.
I can't cry. Not yet. Crying is for when it's over.
“I've been ready for ten years,” I remind him. Bastian laughs, releasing me from his hug.
He offers me his arm and I hold onto him as we walk to the ceremony.
Leo and I chose this place. It is just a mile away from the school campus where we first met, with a beautiful walkway winding through the trees. There is a small waterfall off to the side, the sound of water relaxing as it mixes with the music. I can see the backs of the chairs, all lined up and white against the greenery. But I can't see him yet.
In front of me, Ava, Chloe, and Emma walk to the music. They turn and walk down the aisle, disappearing one by one from my sight.
“You sure you want to do this?” Bastian asks as Ava, my maid of honor starts her walk. “I mean, it is Leo you're marrying.”
I laugh. “Yes, I'm sure.”
“Okay.” Bastian shrugs. “Just giving you one last chance here.” He smiles at me, and I know that he approves of my choice of husband. I'd actually be worried if he didn't tease me.
Bastian takes a deep breath as the music changes. Together we step out and into the aisle.
My friends are lined up on my left, but I barely notice them. I barely notice Gabe or Jack. The only person I see is Leo.
His face shifts from nervous to that of love. He grins at me as our eyes meet from across the room. Suddenly, none of it matters. The dress, the flowers, the location- none of it. I would marry that man wearing nothing but a paper-bag and carrying dandelions. As long as I got to marry him, I wouldn't care.
I float more than walk down the aisle, my eyes only for Leo. The closer I get, the brighter he smiles. I'm lost in his eyes as I step up to the alter.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the pastor asks.
“I do,” Bastian announces. His voice shakes with emotion. He kisses my cheek, tears in his eyes as he gives his little sister to the man of her dreams. He passes my hand to Leo's, my brother's hands strong and sure over mine. “Take care of her.”
“I will,” Leo promises, his eyes solemn.
Bastian lets me go and I step to stand next to Leo. He takes my hands in his. We're both shaking, but Leo's hands are strong and sure around mine.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony,” the pastor begins, his voice rich and booming. “This is not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate, these to persons present come now to be joined. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
I hold my breath. It would be just like Gabe or Bastian to say something now or have hired someone to play a prank. No one says anything and the pastor nods, ready to continue with the ceremony.
Leo lets out a nervous laugh, apparently thinking the same thing I am.
“Leo, repeat after me...” the pastor waits until he has Leo's full attention. “With this ring, I, Leo Westbrook take thee, Charlott
e Page..”
“With this ring, I, Leo Westbrook, take thee, Charlotte Page...” The man of my dreams smiles as he begins his promise.
“... to be my wedded wife, to have and hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part.”
Leo repeats the words without hesitation. I love the way his voice flows, rising and falling with the words. I love the way he promises me to be mine forever. I fall a little bit more in love with him with every word.
“...'til death do us part,” Leo finishes.
“Groomsman, the ring?” The pastor turns to Gabe.
“Um...” Gabe pats his pockets, his eyes going wide as he doesn't find anything.
I decide I might have to kill him, which is unfortunate because bloodstains will be difficult to get out of this dress.
“Gabe?” Leo's voice is low and full of warning. “Where is the ring?”
“Right here,” Gabe replies with a grin, producing a small box from his jacket pocket. He winks at both of us, and I'm still considering killing him.
Chloe throws her bouquet at him. “Knock it off, Gabe.”
They always did have the cutest sibling rivalry.
Leo takes the small box and takes out a ring. His hands are steady as he takes his grandmother's ring out and slides it along my finger. I love how it fits on my hand, like it was always meant to be there.
Leo grins and starts to lean forward, ready to kiss me.
“Hold on,” the pastor says, putting his hand on Leo's shoulder and stopping him from kissing me. “Only one kiss per customer.”
The audience laughs and Leo blushes.
“I just don't want to wait,” he tells the pastor. “I want to kiss her always.”
“Well, let her do her part and you can get to the kissing,” the pastor tells him with a smile. “Now, Charlotte, repeat after me.”
I say the words, my heart singing them out. “I, Charlotte Page, take thee, Leo Westbrook, to be my wedded husband, to have and hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part.”
Leo's ring is a solid gold band. I slide it along his left ring finger, biting my lip with concentration. It fits perfectly, as suited to him as mine is to me.
“Now, you may kiss the bride,” the minister tells Leo with a chuckle.
“Good,” Leo replies. “I've been waiting all day to do this.”
He takes me into his arms, dipping me backwards and giving me a through and elaborate wedding kiss.
The crowd of our friends goes wild. Camera flashes fill the air, making it hard to see anything but sparkling lights. It's all right, because all I can see is Leo anyway. He's all I want to see.
And now he's all mine.
Slowly, he lets me back up, grinning wildly. “I love you, Charlotte,” he whispers so that only I can hear him.
Behind him, the waterfall dances down the rocks, filling the small pond just like Leo fills my heart.
“I love you,” I whisper back, grinning so hard my face hurts.
This is everything I could ever want: Leo and waterfall kisses.
Check out my other works!
The "Kisses" series
Saltwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Kisses From Jack: The Other Side of Saltwater Kisses
Rainwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story
Wishful Kisses: A Champagne Kisses Novella
Freshwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Sandcastle Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Hurricane Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Barefoot Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Sunrise Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Other Novels
Wolf Six's Salvation: A Shifter Love Story
Burned: A New Adult Love Story
The Arrangement Fan Fiction
Miss Black Part 1
Miss Black Part 2
Miss Black Part 3
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About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Krista Lakes is a newly turned 30 year old who recently rediscovered her passion for writing. She is living happily ever after with her Prince Charming and her bouncing baby boy.
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