Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 28

28

SUNFLOWERS

PEPPER

H is friends from Colorado are here, including Hope, the sister of his late girlfriend. I was expecting it to be awkward, but they’re welcoming.

I don’t have experience with having close friendships. I’ve tried, but life’s always gotten in the way. Growing up, I was an outcast because my family and I were poor.

In college, I found it easier to bond with the kids I nannied. Kids are accepting and non-judgmental. But I like Matt’s friends. They seem down to earth and accepting.

Once we get outside, I’m blown away by what I see. Short rows of white chairs open down the center to form a small aisle. Dozens of sunflower heads snipped from their stems lay scattered all around. It feels like I’m in a sunflower field. Matt must’ve done this. I don’t know when he had the time, but I can’t believe he took my answer so seriously.

Matt walks his mom down the aisle. He said it’s a French tradition. And damn, does he clean up well. He’s got a white button-up shirt on and a bow tie just like the ones Simon, Sr. and Simon, Jr. have on. Khaki pants hug his strong thighs, and brown boat shoes cover his bare feet.

Tears gather in my eyes at the thought of walking myself down the short aisle.

I’m already flabbergasted that his friends are here, but now I have to walk alone in front of them. I hold my head high and put my shoulders back. I’m used to walking alone through life, so what’s one more time?

Whitney Houston’s Higher Love starts playing on an outdoor speaker Matt owns. It’s the song we chose for me to walk down the aisle to.

Unexpectedly, I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Henry, Matt’s dad.

He seems like a perfect father. He is clearly doing something right, because he’s the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen in his 50’s. Matt is uber hot now. If he ages like his dad, Matt is going to be a smoke show his entire life.

“Wouldn’t want to forget this.” He gives me the same boyish grin Matt has when he pulls a bouquet of sunflowers out from behind his back.

I gasp as he hands them to me. “You guys are too sweet,” I whisper as I take the bouquet and lightly touch the velvety soft petals.

“Matt told us your parents can’t be here. Whatever the reason, I’m glad we have you. You’re a daughter to us now, and that means you have our support,” he says.

Wiping a tear from my eyes, I nod my appreciation and murmur, “Thank you.”

I don’t trust myself to not turn into a blubbering mess and tell him how I’ve always wanted a father to care about me.

With a smile, he offers his uninjured elbow for me to hold as we take the short walk to Matt and the pastor.

I glance at Matt’s smiling friends as I pass them. They seem like Marine-level close, like they’d go to the ends of the earth for each other. I’d love to have a friend group like that, but I’m sure it took years for them to be so close.

Hope is always smiling, strikingly beautiful with dark hair. She looks almost exactly like the photo of Grace that Matt showed me. Noah and Deacon are both tall, dark-haired and attractive, and they seem like best friends. Deacon is constantly touching someone. Either he’s got his arms around his wife’s waist or shoulders, he’s holding and tossing Indy in the air, or he’s play tackling and punching Noah. Deacon is definitely the loud, outgoing one, and Noah is the reserved leader of the group. Noah sits like a strong pillar of confidence, his arm protectively around Hope’s chair while Hope leans into him.

Aerica, Hope and Shyla all seem sweet, and I’ve never had a best friend. Being a lone ranger always seemed safer.

Matt’s friends flew all the way here from Colorado to be here for him. His grandparents and parents sit on the other side. He’s got an amazing support system. This is only pretend for me. But if I can feel what it’s like to have this, even for a little bit, I’m thankful.

Simon sits on Madilyn’s lap, kicking his legs while she lightly bounces him and dabs at her eyes with a tissue.

When the pastor has us recite our vows, the sincerity with which Matt delivers his makes me believe this is real. The way he’s looking at me makes me believe that he’d want me as his wife even if there were no custody battle involved.

When it’s my turn to vow my life to Matt, I infuse my words with the same passion Matt had. I didn’t see this for myself a couple of months ago, but when life has given me lemons most of my life, I’m going to take this sweet season. Plus, being married to Matt to help him gain custody of his son is the least I can do after he’s helped me so much.

“Mr. Matthieu Galloway, you may now kiss your bride,” the pastor announces.

His friends whoop and holler for us. Matt wraps his hands around my waist, and I giggle as he kisses me tenderly.

“Thank you, princess,” he whispers into my lips when he breaks the kiss. My eyes meet his, and electricity sparks between us. For two people who aren’t looking for something serious, we sure look at each other a lot. And now, we’re husband and wife.

He looks at me like no one ever has. Despite my new haircut and hair color and color contacts to hide my real self from the world, he looks at me like he truly sees me . That may be the best gift anyone’s ever given me, and I’m glad I have a gift for him tonight.