“I can see that.”
A high pitch squeal brings our attention to the stage.
Bran stands front and center. He taps on the microphone as he clears his throat.
“Hi, everyone. It’s time for me to roast, I mean toast, the groom.”
He mesmerizes the entire audience as he gives his witty yet heartfelt best man’s toast.
“That man is a living, breathing chef’s kiss,” I muse.
Mom’s amused eyes come to me.
“Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”
“I set her free,” I tell her.
The crowd applauds, and Bran bows dramatically before hopping off the platform and making his way to us. He kisses Mom’s cheek before she rushes off to find Aunt Trudy.
Taking my hand, he spins me and wraps his arms around me from behind.
“Time to take off your planner hat and put on your bridesmaid hat and enjoy the rest of the evening,” he says.
There was a time when I would have balked at the idea, but I’m learning to let go and live in the moment.
“I just want to make sure everything goes perfectly with the cake cutting and then I’m all yours,” I tell him.
“Close your eyes,” he whispers in my ear.
“Why?” I ask.
“Do you trust me?”
“No, not really,” I tease.
“Humor me,” he insists.
I close my eyes and wait as he releases me and steps around so that he faces me.
“Okay, you can open them.”
I blink as my eyes focus on his handsome face. Then he lifts his chin, guiding my gaze above us. He has a sprig of mistletoe dangling from his fingertips.
“Where did you get mistletoe in April?” I ask.
“I have connections.”
I bear up on the tip of my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.
“So where do you stand on this Happy Ever After issue now?” he asks.
“I can settle for Happy Right Now as long as it’s every day for the rest of our lives,” I answer.
“So, you’re glad you stayed?”
“Pretty glad.”
“What can I do to change that to really glad?” he asks.