Free Perfectly Ever After (Pieces) by Elizabeth Hayley Page A

"One more word and I'll tell Claire you got a stripper's phone number last weekend."
    He looked at me confused for a second. "I didn't get a stripper's number."
    "Who do you think Claire is more likely to believe?"
    Frank stood and walked toward me until we were inches apart. He looked into my eyes for a few awkwardly long seconds before he said, "E tu, Brute?"
    I didn't point out that his words made absolutely no sense in that situation as I watched him sigh heavily and shuffle off across the room where the rest of the bridal party stood. Doug and Troy both put an arm around him when he reached them, allowing him to keep up his charade of petulance. I rolled my eyes at the morons I'd appointed as my groomsmen before turning my attention back to Carly.
    Once our eyes met, we couldn't hold back the laughter anymore. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to me. Her face nuzzled into my neck and I had absolutely no desire to ever move from that position.
    "Your friends are idiots," she laughed into my neck.
    "I know. But they make me seem so much more appealing in comparison."
    "Isn't that the truth." She placed a soft kiss on my neck before withdrawing slightly to look up at my face. "Thank you," she finally said.
    "For what?"
    "For being you. For making today the happiest day of my life. For everything."
    I didn't know how to respond. Words would never be able to convey how much I loved her —how much I needed her. So I cupped her cheek in my hand and kissed her instead, hoping that would tell her everything I wanted her to know.
    ***
    We stood outside of the ballroom listening to the emcee announce the wedding party. They walked into the room while the band played an instrumental that I couldn't identify. But, once Frank and Katie made their way out, I heard the emcee tell everyone to "Get on your feet."
    I looked at Carly. "You ready for this?"
    "I was born ready for you, Adam."
    I gave her hand a squeeze as the emcee introduced us as Mr. And Mrs. Adam Carter. The doors burst open and the band erupted into Imagine Dragon's "I'm on Top of the World." Carly and I raised our hands over our heads in that "just married," clichéd way and bopped toward the dance floor.
    Carly leaned into me. "Is it bad that I'm glad they introduced me as Mrs. Adam Carter and not Carly Carter?" she laughed. "I had to fall in love with a man whose last name sounds ridiculous with my first." She laughed and I joined her.
    The bridal party enveloped us as we all danced to the upbeat song, celebrating the moment with the joy and exuberance it deserved. Once the song ended, our family and friends left the dance floor and found their seats. Carly and I stayed where we were, waiting for our first dance. And as the band strummed the familiar beat of Edwin McCain's "And I Could Not Ask For More," I wrapped my arms around Carly and pulled her flush against me. Her arms pushed a path over the lapels of my jacket and around my neck.
    Everyone in the room faded away as I stared at my wife. And I suddenly knew that that was one of the moments the song was talking about. I'd always remember how I felt as I held Carly in my arms: the complete happiness and all-encompassing peace that filled me was nearly too much for me to contain. I felt my eyes moisten with tears I hoped didn't fall. After all, Frank would never let me hear the end of it if I cried at my wedding.
    Carly didn't share these same worries and let her tears flow down her cheeks without embarrassment or concern.
    God , I love this woman.
    The song ended and our guests applauded gently. A server led us to our sweetheart table and we sat do wn. I surveyed the room briefly and saw Eva. I hadn't given her much of my time that day, and I felt a pang of guilt for it. I watched the serving staff bustle around delivering salads, I had an overwhelming need to make it right.
    I leaned into Carly and whispered in her ear before beckoning the emcee over to me. I gave him instructions, then stood and