by Witt, L. A.
Levi exhaled again. “Probably.”
“And legally too.” I shook my head, my heart fluttering just thinking about it. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”
“Tell me about it,” he breathed.
I forced my emotions to stay in check so I wouldn’t set his off. “You’re not going to pass out on us or anything, are you?”
“I’m good. Just, um, nervous.” He gulped. “Really nervous.”
“What do you have to be nervous about?” I smiled and hugged him gently. “It isn’t like you’re going to say anything stupid that he hasn’t already heard.”
Levi laughed. He squeezed me tight. “You really do know how to put a man’s mind at ease, you know that?”
“If you’re laughing, you’re breathing. Right?”
“Fair point.” He hugged me for a few more seconds, then released me. “Thanks again, by the way. For all the times you got my head out of my ass before I completely sabotaged things with Carter.”
I laughed. “Well, if you ever need it again, you know where to find me.”
“I do. And I probably will.”
“I know you will.”
He shot me a glare, and we both laughed.
“To be serious,” I said, “I’m really happy for you. Carter’s a lucky man.”
He smiled, and I swore his eyes welled up a little as he said, “I think I’m the one who won the lottery here.”
I swiped at my eyes as subtly as I could. “I’d say you both made out like bandits.” I gestured toward the door. “And, um, you might want to go out and greet your guests, don’t you think?”
Levi glanced toward it and rocked from his heels to the balls of his feet. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess I should.”
“Come on.” I nudged him gently. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Neither of us spoke on the way down the hall, and the sharp clicks of dress shoes sounded weird as they echoed around us. It wasn’t like we’d never been dressed up around each other—I’d lost count of the red carpet and black-tie events we’d attended—but this was different.
Getting to this point had been a long, bumpy road for Levi, and it wasn’t just because he was as good at relationships as I was. For years, he’d fought his own sexuality. Kept it hidden at the whim of studio execs. Then he’d come out, and he’d lost the relationship with his parents that he’d worked so long to repair. Nearly lost Carter when he tried to go back in the closet. Almost lost his job when he’d flung the closet doors off for good.
Walking down the aisle with Carter was a hard-won victory that no one deserved more than Levi. On one hand, it gave me hope that I could eventually get there too. On the other, it made me wonder how many mountains were left between me and my happy ending.
At the edge of the ballroom, which had been set up for the ceremony, Levi looked out at all the guests gathering on the folding chairs. “It’s funny. I always thought it would bother me if my family didn’t come to my wedding.”
“It doesn’t?”
He pursed his lips and shook his head. “Not really, no. I mean, part of me still wishes things were better with them, but they’re not.” He half shrugged and turned toward me. “So why would I want any of that shit here? Carter’s all the family I need.”
The sudden lump in my throat caught me off guard. I quickly cleared my throat, gazing out at the guests. “I’m glad you found him. You deserve nothing less than someone like him.”
“Just makes me wonder what he did in a past life to get stuck with me.”
I laughed, facing him again. “Oh shut up. You know damn well you two are made for each other.”
He smiled, and as he nodded, he reached for me. “Thank you again. For not letting me fuck this up.” He hugged me tightly. “I wouldn’t have him if it weren’t for you.”
Glad I got someone’s relationship right.
“You’re welcome,” I whispered. As I drew back, I smiled, “Just don’t wander off and be late to your own ceremony, okay?”
“I won’t. Promise.” He gestured at his guests. “I should, um, go say hi to everyone. Before Carter comes out.”
“Good idea. I’ll see you after the ceremony.”
“See you then.”
We hugged once more, then went separate directions. I wandered into the group, saying hello to people I knew. There were quite a few familiar faces, either from Wolf’s Landing or from other film projects. Some had worked on the Chad Eastwick series with Levi.
It was kind of strange to see so many people from work in this kind of environment. No one but the photographer—who I knew from countless promo shoots—carried any kind of gear aside from punch glasses, and there were ties and heels on people I was used to seeing in costume or dressed for eighteen-hour-shoot comfort.
Of course, plenty of people were strangers too. I’d never met Carter’s family, but it was pretty apparent that he’d come by his good looks honestly. Whoever they were—siblings? cousins?—they had the same sharp jaw, blond hair, and blue eyes.
The hair on my neck prickled, and I turned.
My breath got lost in my throat.
What was it about weddings that seemed to bring out the softer side of everyone? Levi looked like a nervous kid on prom night. Hunter and Kevin were all smiles and affection, stealing glances at each other and little kisses now and then. Jeremy and Scott barely seemed to notice there was anyone but them in the room.
But it was Natalya who took my breath away. She was hot in anything she wore—or didn’t wear—and I’d always wondered what she’d look like dressed up, and now that she was, she looked . . .
Perfect.
She sat in one of the middle rows, one leg crossed over the other and her phone clutched in her hand. She’d worn a wide-strapped wine-colored cocktail dress, and a simple silver chain rested on her collarbones. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her wearing makeup beyond a touch of eyeliner now and then, but she’d put on just enough to add a hint of softness to her features while making her eyes unavoidably intense. Her dark-blond hair was piled on top of her head with a few strategically arranged strands tumbling down and keeping the look from being too rigid.
Despite her petite stature, she didn’t need high heels to create the illusion of long or slender legs. Her legs didn’t need any help. But . . . that didn’t mean those strappy pumps weren’t a nice touch.
Right then, she turned toward me, and her smile sent my pulse up to where Levi’s probably was right then. She patted the empty seat next to her.
Oh God. Could I keep some semblance of dignity sitting next to her when she looked like that?
Oh hell. It was worth a try. And not sitting next to her would raise some questions, since we’d planned to meet here and be each other’s dates. So I made my way between the rows and took the seat beside her.
She shifted a little and brushed her hand across mine. Our eyes met, and we both grinned. Maybe we’d be “friends” here in public, but I was pretty sure that cocktail dress was spending the night on my bedroom floor. Assuming we made it that far. The thought of our clothes rumpled on the stairs made my pulse soar.
Soft piano music started. Quickly, the last few guests took their seats. The officiant took his place at the altar, and the ceremony began.
Neither groom came down the aisle, but stepped in from either side of the altar.
And the instant they were both in sight, eyes locked from a few feet apart, I had to force back a lump in my throat.
Levi smiled tightly, and he hadn’t even made it to the altar before he had to wipe his eyes. As soon as he and Carter met in the middle, they hugged tightly. Probably not something they’d rehearsed, not something that was part of required wedding decorum, but I couldn’t imagine anyone in the room disapproving. Especially since we were all too busy sniffling and wiping our eyes.
You bastards. Your ceremony hasn’t even started and you’re already making everyone cry.
They separated but kept their hands joined between them as the cere
mony began. I could hear their vows and everything the pastor said, but none of it really registered. Staring up at the two men, the only thing that held my attention was the love radiating off them.
Though I was thrilled with the single life, there was a part of me that wanted what Carter and Levi had. No matter how many times the two of them screwed up—or, well, Levi screwed up and tested Carter’s seemingly infinite patience—they always circled back to this. To the long looks, those moments when they locked eyes and seemed to forget anyone else even existed.
It wasn’t at all unusual for me to catch a glimpse of Levi looking at Carter like he was a heartbeat away from dropping to his knees and thanking God for him. Carter still gazed at Levi as if he was afraid he might wake up from this dream at any moment.
And never were those looks more apparent than right this minute, as they stood at the altar in matching tuxes with their undoubtedly sweaty hands joined and their eyes locked.
I wasn’t sure if I’d ever want to get married—it had always been something I could take or leave—but watching them now, I would’ve sold my soul for someone to look at me like that. Like even if anything else in the world did exist, it didn’t matter.
Nothing matters, their eyes said, because you’re here.
Natalya’s presence beside me made my skin tingle. I didn’t dare turn to her. Not right then. I was afraid to meet her gaze, and I wasn’t even sure why. Because of how she might look at me? Because of how she might not look at me?
Because I’m losing my fucking mind and getting all sentimental from watching those two tie the knot?
Pretty sure I was right about the losing my mind part. The rest of it . . .
Which way to the open bar?
After the vows and the rings were exchanged, after both men had gathered their composure enough to murmur “I do,” the pastor gave them the word: “You may kiss your husband.”
Levi touched Carter’s face. They paused for a couple of seconds, smiling at each other like they were the only two people in the room. Levi’s mouth moved, and though I couldn’t hear him, I’d have recognized the “I love you so much” on his lips and in his eyes from a mile away.
Carter mouthed the same, then lifted his chin and kissed his new husband.
And everyone in the room cheered.
They both laughed and wiped their eyes, and when they kissed again, I had to brush a tear from my own cheek.
You’re a lucky man, Levi. You have no idea.
Chapter 18
The country club staff made quick work of converting the ballroom from ceremony seating to a reception hall. Caterers served a light lunch while the wedding went on as weddings do. The newlyweds were introduced, and it was time for the toasts. Carter’s brother gave a lovely snarky speech.
Then Levi gestured at me with the microphone and cringed as he said, “All right, Anna. Don’t make me regret this.”
I rose and walked to the front, champagne glass in hand. I set the glass on the edge of the table, and as I took the microphone from Levi, I winked, “You knew what you were getting yourself into.”
Rolling his eyes, he crossed himself.
I snickered. Then I faced the sea of white-covered tables and elegantly dressed guests. “So, Levi gave me a list of things I wasn’t allowed to talk about. It took me two weeks to find it because I thought it was the Yellow Pages.”
As I’d hoped, everyone laughed.
“Anyway, with all of that in mind, what a lot of people here don’t know is that a long, long time ago, Levi and I dated.” I paused for a beat. “And that’s how we both figured out we were definitely gay.” As everyone roared, I turned to Carter. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
He raised his glass and chuckled.
“So,” I continued, “you could say that I’ve seen Levi at his worst, and I’ve seen him at his best. Carter, I don’t know if it’s as obvious to you as it is to me, but without a doubt, Levi at his best is any moment when he’s with you. It’s really that simple. I knew the first time I ever saw him look at you that you were the man who’d bring him the kind of happiness I see in his eyes every single day now.”
They glanced at each other and smiled as Levi put his hand over Carter’s on the table.
“No relationship is perfect,” I said, “but what you two have is as close as any pair of human beings can expect. When things are rough, or when Levi isn’t doing as he’s told—”
“Hey!”
“—I want you to remember the way you feel right now. The way you can’t look at each other without smiling. How when one of you walks into the room, everyone else can feel the way the other responds. How one look makes the whole world stop.”
I caught Natalya’s eye, and her smile disarmed me enough that I nearly forgot what I was talking about. I glanced down at the notecard in my hand, and that put me back on track.
I muffled a cough. “Remember the way you feel right now when things are rough, because this?” I gestured at both of them. “This is why you’re together—because of the way you feel about each other right now. As long as you don’t lose sight of that, then we’ll all be here again with a lot more gray hair to celebrate your golden anniversary.” I picked up my glass off the table. “Congratulations to you, Levi and Carter, for having the kind of love that we should all aspire to.” I raised my glass, and everyone called out, “Cheers!”
After taking a drink, I went to hand the microphone back to the deejay, but Carter gestured for me to give it to him. Levi’s eyes widened as I handed it off to Carter.
“Good luck,” I whispered loudly to Levi before heading back to my seat.
“Shit,” he muttered.
Natalya smiled, and when she slid her hand over my leg, my pulse was racing. Postspeech adrenaline? Maybe. I squeezed her hand, and the coolness of her skin made my heart slow down and flutter at the same time.
At the front of the room, Carter stood behind the head table, microphone in hand.
“So, I wanted to thank you all for coming. It’s . . . still kind of overwhelming, realizing how many people wanted to come share our day with us. And I know some of you are horribly disappointed, but even though we really, really tried, Link and Zelda refused to come.”
Everyone laughed, and the grooms exchanged glances.
“And, um . . .” He cleared his throat. “I’m kind of winging it here because I wasn’t going to do this, mostly because Levi threatened to turn the cats against me if I did, but he can’t really stop me now.”
Levi facepalmed.
Chuckling, Carter patted his shoulder. “Anyway. If you’ll all let me ramble for a minute, I promise there’s a point to this.”
His husband eyed him, but didn’t interrupt.
Carter took a deep breath. “A few years ago, I auditioned for this TV show that was based on a series of books I’d never read because there weren’t enough pictures.”
Two seats over from me, Hunter choked on his water.
“And even when I got the call,” Carter continued, “I wasn’t so sure about it. I mean, moving to Washington for a paranormal series where I’m getting my ass handed to me every five minutes?” He looked around. “By the way, Ginsberg? Thanks for taking the worst of it like a champ.”
“You owe me, dude!” came the reply.
Carter gave a thumbs-up. “But I took the part. And I came up here. The thing is, I came to Bluewater Bay and Wolf’s Landing, thinking this would be a great thing for my career, and it was. I was expecting to get rained on a lot, and I’m glad that part didn’t turn out to be true.” He paused, eyes flicking toward Levi. “What I never imagined was that I’d find myself here. That I’d be working with so many amazing people.” He gestured out at the guests, the vast majority of whom were part of the show. “That I’d make so many new friends, and there would be so many people I’d want to share the best day of my life with.”
A collective “aww” rippled through the group.
Carter smiled thinly. “And God
knows I had no idea that Bluewater Bay and Wolf’s Landing would be where I’d run headlong into the love of my life.” His voice wavered a little. “And sometimes, when I think about it, and realize how many things had to line up in order for us to meet, it’s hard to believe they all did. Anna? Where did you go?”
I blinked and cautiously raised my hand.
He met my gaze and smiled. “You talked Levi into taking the role of Max Fuhrman. So a lot of this?” He pointed at me. “Your fault, lady.”
I laughed and showed my palms.
“That goes for you too, Hunter,” Carter said. “Because I know you’re the one who requested Levi.”
Chuckling, Hunter raised his glass. Kevin leaned in closer to him, and I wondered if he was thinking of all the planets that aligned to bring him and Hunter together.
“So a lot of people played roles in this,” Carter said. “In bringing all of us”—he gestured at everyone in the room—“together to make the awesome show we’re making, as well as bringing Levi and me together. I don’t know if it’s fate, or if we all just got damn lucky, but we’re here in Bluewater Bay, and I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve been thanking any god who will listen for—”
He was drowned out by applause. Beside him, Levi clapped too, grinning from ear to ear.
As the room quieted, Carter swallowed hard and turned to his new husband. “And Levi. None of us would be in this room right now if you hadn’t taken that role. But you did. And then you took a chance on a drink with a stuttering fanboy. And you took my hand in public even when you had so, so much to lose.” He pressed his lips together, and when he spoke again, he subtly dabbed at his eyes. “You gave up a ton to be with me, and you took on a ton more, and I—” He paused to quickly clear his throat. “I just want you to know that a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t been grateful for all of that. And I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life making sure it was worth it.”
Levi rose and wrapped his arms around Carter, and once again, we all applauded. Several people dabbed their eyes with napkins, and I heard more than a few sniffling sharply over the cheering.