Raven stood up by the arbor, her matron of honor. Since Cass had chosen only one bridesmaid, Shep had picked one groomsman, and that was Toly, his hair slicked back tight along his scalp, wearing all black under his cut. He had the rings in his pocket, Cass knew, as they’d planned.
She saw all of this with a cursory glance: down to the flower swags on the chairs and the swinging lanterns on poles. Then her attention fixed and held on Shep, who was waiting for her.
He’d clearly spent a lot of time and a lot of product on his hair to capture the perfect artless wave on top where he kept it longer. Raven had provided him with a nicely-fitted black button-up shirt, pressed and sleek under his cut, which gleamed with a fresh layer of oil. Dark jeans. His boots were oiled, too. Even his wallet chain looked extra shiny.
The fingers of his right hand tapped at his thigh, a nervous tic, and he leaned fractionally so he could get a better look at her as she and Devin started down the aisle. His face looked so young: nervous, and hopeful, and excited, and cautious. His throat jerked hard as he swallowed, and then his lips twitched into a little smile that made her want to cup his face in both hands and rub their noses together.
Even as her eyes filled with tears, Cass smiled; it felt like her face splitting itself in two, unstoppable and bright and bursting with all the energy that mounted in her chest.
Shep’s smile widened, a helpless response, and he looked so happy, happier than she’d ever seen him.
As they made their slow progression across a scattering of petals, Devin patted her hand where it rested in the crook of his elbow and leaned in to whisper, “That’s a happy man.”
“Yeah,” she said, shakily.
“What d’ya say we walk faster?”
“Yes, let’s.”
I don't normally write weddings. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever actually shown a wedding on-page in this series; usually I reference it or have characters remember it in hindsight. But given the circumstances in Beware of Dog, it felt important to show that, despite the rush, and the courtroom reasoning, Cass and Shep are truly excited to tie the knot. It also offers a chance to show her family accepting Shep as her partner, and as one of their own.
If you haven't read BoD yet, you can grab it here:
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