Cooper chuckles and climbs out, as do I. As I walk to their side of the car, I see the guys exchange one of those bro-hug things they do. Hands clasped and smacks on the back. Then Cooper lifts Tessa into the air and kisses her cheek.
“Reese.” That’s the only warning I get before Nixon lifts me in the air and spins me around.
“Put her down, Nix. I need to hug my best friend.” I hear Tessa command, and my feet are suddenly back on the ground, only to be engulfed by Tessa. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaims.
“Me too.” I pull out of her hug, only to be pulled into Cooper’s arms. I feel like a yo-yo, but I’m not going to complain. These are my three favorite people. They can hug me all they want.
“How’s the house?” Tessa asks as she motions for us to follow her inside.
We head on in, and I can’t help but admire the way she’s decorated. I can’t wait to do that with ours. “We stayed there last night. I feel like I’m living in a fairy tale,” I admit, taking a seat on the couch.
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” she says, looking around her house.
“It’s beautiful, Tessa.”
“Thank you. We love it. We looked for weeks before we found this one. As soon as we pulled in, I knew it was the one.”
“That’s the same thing that happened to me. I could just feel it. I thought I was crazy for thinking that.”
“Nope. I was the same way.”
“You guys are going to have to come and visit soon.” Cooper jumps into the conversation.
“Yeah, you do realize training camp starts almost as soon as we get back from our honeymoon?” Nixon asks him.
“We’ll figure it out,” Tessa assures them.
“Tell me about the wedding. Is everything all set? What can I help with?” I ask her.
“Everything is set. It’s small. Just close friends and family. You know me. I didn’t want anything over the top.”
“I’m so happy for the two of you. I knew you two were perfect for each other,” I boast. “I’m sorry I’ve not been much help with the planning. I hate that you live so far away.”
“She wouldn’t let it go,” Cooper says from his seat next to me. “She insisted her roommate and mine would be a perfect fit.” He points to Tessa and then Nixon. “Now here we are. Congratulations, you two.”
“Enough with the heavy,” Tessa says, wiping her eyes. There may be tears, but her smile is like a beaming ray of light as she glows with happiness. “I want to see your house.”
Not needing to be asked twice, I pull my phone out of my back pocket and show her the pictures.
“I love it.” She and Nixon swipe through the pictures.
“Is that an air mattress?” Nixon asks. “Are the Defenders not paying you enough, my man?” he teases Cooper.
“Dick.” Cooper laughs, flipping him off.
“Well, once you get back from your honeymoon, you’re going to have to come and visit. By then, we’ll have furniture for you to sleep on,” I assure them.
“Nix leaves for training camp five days after we get back, so maybe then? We can hang out and catch up.”
“Yes.” I’m excited about the idea of getting to spend some quality time with my best friend.
“Let me show you to your room. Dinner is being catered after the rehearsal, but if you all are hungry, I can make some sandwiches or something.”
“I’m good,” Cooper says. “We hit a drive-through on the way here.”
“I was starving,” I tell her.
“Come on.” Nixon grabs some of our bags, while Cooper takes the others. “I’ll show you to your room.”
Cooper and I decide to take a quick nap. We had to be at the airport at five this morning. Stripping down, we slide under the covers curled up in each other’s arms. There is no better feeling than being wrapped up in Cooper. We sleep for an hour before it’s time to get ready for the rehearsal. I know it’s not my wedding, but it might as well be for how excited I am for our friends. To think, I had a part in the two of them getting together, and here we are in their home, the weekend they vow to love each other forever.
I know it’s wrong, but I wasn’t excited about my wedding to Hunter. I feel like I kind of just went through the motions. My heart flutters in my chest when I think about marrying Cooper. That was definitely missing, and I was wrong for saying yes. I hope Hunter finds a love like ours. He deserves nothing less.
“You’re glowing,” I tell my best friend. The wedding reception is starting to die down,
so the four of us are sitting at a table in the hotel banquet room just enjoying each other’s company.
“Damn right, she is,” Nixon says, kissing her temple. “My wife is gorgeous,” he says, and I melt a little at their exchange. Tessa is smiling at him with tears swimming in her eyes.
“You ready for that to be us?” Cooper whispers in my ear.
“More than you know.” What once seemed to be a fantasy is now sitting right next to me. He’s mine. Now and forever.
“Me too, baby.” He kisses my bare shoulder, which causes goose bumps to break out on my skin. “I hope I can always do that,” he says, tracing the bumps on my arms.
I turn to look at him. “There isn’t a doubt in my mind.”
“What are you love birds talking about over there?” Tessa asks.
“The two of you,” I tell her. “Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day.”
“You two have been there since the beginning,” Nixon comments. “It’s fitting that you stood up with us today.”
“Maybe one day we can repay the favor?” Tessa says coyly over her glass of champagne.
“Oh, you will,” Cooper states confidently. “As soon as I can get a ring on her finger.”
“Now we’re talking.” Nixon holds his fist out for Cooper to bump, making us all laugh.
“Are you excited for your honeymoon?” I ask Tessa. I don’t want to make today about Cooper and me. This is their special day. We’ll have ours. Soon, I hope.
“Yes! I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. I can’t wait. Two weeks of nothing but—” she starts, but Nixon interrupts her.
“Sex.” He grins.
“There’s that.” Tessa smiles at her husband. “The landscapes and the cliffs, it looks beautiful. I can’t wait to take it all in.”
“And the sex,” Nixon says, giving her a heated look.
“You’re terrible.” She giggles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the last dance of the evening,” the DJ announces.
Looking around, it’s just the four of us and their parents who are left. The wedding was small and intimate. It was perfect for them in so many ways. “They’re calling our name, babe.” Cooper stands and holds his hand out for me. We take the dance floor beside Nixon and Tessa, as well as their parents. It’s the perfect ending to an even more perfect day.
As my head rests on Cooper’s chest and we sway to the music, I let my mind wander to a day just like this. A day where Cooper and I vow to love one another until the end of time.