LOGAN
I wake up with a couple of hours to go before the guys are supposed to come over so we can drive to the venue together.
After coffee and eggs, I get down to business preparing for all thatâs to come after the wedding.
Weâre spending our wedding night at home.
Raeâs already anxious enough about being the center of attention at the wedding, which is at a place sheâs never been before.
She had a panic attack the day we were supposed to visit, and we never rescheduled the tour so she wanted to end the day somewhere familiar.
Iâm happy if sheâs happy, but that doesnât mean Iâm going to let this be like any other night. Cleaning doesnât take long, leaving me at least two more hours before I need to shower and get into my tux.
I pull out the bag of rose petals thatâs been hidden in the closet and get to work sprinkling them around our bedroom. Rae loved how I decorated her apartment the day I proposed.
I should probably come up with something new, but I canât really think of anything else as romantic.
In the kitchen, I set out the old-fashioned ice cream bowls and spoons Court helped me pick.
Raeâs go-to food during the pregnancy has been chocolate ice cream, and I know for a fact sheâll be craving it by the time we return home.
I suggested we have an ice cream bar at the wedding, but she vetoed that idea immediately, saying that sheâd end up staining her dress.
I pace around the living room, reading and rereading the vows I wrote. Iâm almost jealous of how long Rae is spending getting ready for the wedding.
At least she has something to do. Iâm losing my mind waiting around. I draw the line when I start talking to myself and hop into the shower.
Time passes quicker once the guys are here, and by one, Max is driving us to the venue. We rented a mansion up in the mountains east of the city, and weâre having the wedding in the backyard.
Rae wanted quiet and secluded. I just didnât want a church; that was my only requirement. They remind me too much of Zachâs funeral. Not really the memories I want flooding back on my wedding day.
I was skeptical of getting married at a houseâsomeone elseâs house at thatâbut this place is fancy as fuck. The backyard is decked out with a tent, dangling lights, and white benches for guests.
Thereâs even an arch with flowers, which I assume is where weâll be getting married. Rae didnât want to be the center of attention two days in a row, so we decided not to do a rehearsal dinner.
âLogan, you look dashing,â comes a booming voice.
~Shit~. Guests are here already?
âHey, Aunt Trish. Thanks for coming.â
âWouldnât miss my godsonâs wedding for the world.â She strong-arms me into a hug.
Over her shoulder, I see Mom. We lock eyes. Hers are brimming with tears.
âLogan.â Her arms are so weak I barely feel the embrace.
I canât believe this is whatâs left of us.
I donât know if Iâve ever missed Zach more than I do right now. Heâd be fucking thrilled. He was always sensitive, doting on one girlfriend after another.
Mom used to sayâwhen Mom said thingsâthat she was certain heâd settle down first, even though I was seven years older.
God, Zach would have loved Rae. So fucking much.
âLogan!â
I wrench myself from my thoughts to find Courtney waving frantically in front of my face. âHey, Court.â
âWe just finished getting ready. Raeâs cousin is bringing all the guests out now, and thenââ She claps her hands together ââwedding time! You ready to get in formation?â
Hell fucking yeah, Iâm ready.
I meet Jordan at the altarâhe got ordained as a joke in college, so I insisted he officiateâwith Brady and Max trailing behind, still looking somewhat hungover.
By the time weâre done greeting each other and getting Max and Brady in a row, the benches are filled, and Raeâs bridesmaidsâCourt and Zoeâare standing where my bride will be in only a few minutes.
âLetâs do this thing,â Zoe whispers, and then the music starts.