As soon as I meet Griffin’s watery blue eyes, I nearly lose it. My dad hands me off, and Griffin plants a kiss on my cheek. “You look unbelievable.”
I sniff back a tear, and give him a bear hug. Our guests all giggle, but I don’t care. I love this man, he’s all mine, and there’s no safer place than in his arms.
The ceremony is short and sweet (duh), so we can get to the party. ESPN is there, and Griffin gets pulled away for an interview. I watch my hero of a man, a brand new person, in front of the camera, proud as pie.
Our first dance is also our last dance. Griffin pulls me into his arms and we dance to the same cheesy song that we did at his friend’s wedding two years ago.
“You should be wearing red,” he teases. “White is for virgins.”
“This.” I point to my tummy. “Is your fault.”
“What about that one?” I glance over at my dad, eating cake with our one-year-old daughter.
“That one waskind ofmy fault.” I wink.
Griffin pulls me tighter, resting his chin on the top of my head. I breathe in his crisp, clean scent. Of course, I’m no longer a bridesmaid for hire. I’m a football wife. I kept my house, but our home base is now with the team. So, it feels good to be home. We couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.
Griffin lifts my chin and presses a soft kiss against my lips. His blue eyes meet mine. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Carlie.”
“I could say the same thing about you.” I nibble on his full bottom lip. “In fact, I do. Often.” He kisses me deeper this time, and my panties instantly drench.
“You know,” he says, “this party isn’t really for us. It’s for all of the people who love us.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point.” He leans down, whispering in my ear. His lips brush my skin as he speaks, sending a wave of goosebumps up and down my arm. “Is that the bridal suite is waiting for us. The non-alcoholic champagne’s on ice.”
“Very considerate, considering my state.”
“And I had them make a special tier of wedding cake just for us.”
“Really?” My voice reaches a fever pitch.
“Just for tonight.”
“Oh!” I clap my hands together.
“But you get to taste it after I taste you.” He groans in my ear, and my body melts into his.
As soon as the song ends, he takes me by the hand and leads me off the dance floor to our room, where for us, the party is just getting started.