Writer 4 Arrow Fans @quart1146 - Tumblr Blog

Marry Me

I watched Thomas Rhett's video for his song "Marry me."and it's perfect. This song, grabbed me by the throat and shook me as I wondered how did she go from being the happy bride to ditching her groom to seek out her childhood crush.I’m a writer. I see things coming on a normal basis. And I got surprised.

I watched that five second ending repeatedly thinking WOW how did they get there? Yet, I loved that the fact the directer flipped a sad song into a happy ending.

So here’s the story that the video didn't tell. Hope I make you smile. And as always, thanks for the read.

You do not have to watch the video but it adds to the experience. Enjoy. And drop me a note if you liked it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_IwENcMPOA

Staring down at her dazzling engagement ring, Jennie felt lovely in her white almost backless wedding gown. She’d planned her wedding a long time and wanted everything perfect to the last item.

But something seemed off.

She twisted Dylan’s larger than life ring, clicking her list off in her mind.

Her friends had wrestled her frizzy hair under control, woven the pink baby roses into her hair and done her makeup to perfection. The guests were arriving on time and her daddy, no doubt, wore his rented blue suit and her mother stood before her dressed in royal blue, holding her box of tissues and dabbing at her eyes so her tears wouldn’t destroy her makeup.

The food and drink were on site. The massive white tent up. The chairs and tables in perfect place.

She’d planned this wedding down to the last fork, the white tablecloths and the matching fluted wine glasses for the toasts.

But now she knew she’d missed something. And it was an itch she couldn’t scratch.

Chewing her bottom lip, she checked her phone for the time, ignoring the congratulation texts until later. Placing the phone back on the dresser, she paced.

Okay, ten more minutes, only ten more. She wiped her damp palms on one her mother's tissues and tossed them in the trash. Her mother started to speak then went back to crushing some candy on her phone.

Opening the French doors, she stepped out the second story balcony and peeked down at the crowd. The guests below made their way to the white wooden seats on the lawn. The weather perfect, she could see the tiny white chairs lined up in perfectly straight rows.

Everything proceeded like clockwork, she should be ecstatic, yet something nagged she’d missed something.

And then she spotted him.

Her Sam was here.

Instantly, her cheeks flushed.

His familiar dark head came into view and her heart sped up, racing now. Sam, her dear childhood friend, a man who normally wore plaid and t-shirts, looked wicked handsome in his black suit, with his black tie, as he walked slowly up the drive.

Sam looked like sin in dress shoes as a rush swept through her, tickling her stomach, warming her, like every time she saw him.

Gripping the railing, she squinted to see him better. Jesus, he looked as hot as ever. His beard longer than usual, she found she approved of the extra scruff and wondered what it felt like to run her fingers through his facial hair.

As normal, when she saw him, she sighed since that man had been her first and only real crush. And she'd never truly gotten over him.

She’d couldn’t remember not knowing him.

Until the last two years, he’d always been a large part of her life. They’d been next door neighbors, best friends and expert cookie thieves. They'd camped in each other's backyards as children, jumped on his trampoline for years and always had each other's backs at school. And as they’d grown up, as they’d become teenagers if he’d have given her any kind of sign, anything at all, he’d have never known what hit him.

Jesus, Sam was fine. She sighed again since he’d never taken their relationship out of the ‘friendship zone,’ and he benched any type of serious relationship before they were out of high school, right after he’s almost kissed her one night after a game.

Jim had teased them about the kiss, everyone had laughed, and he'd withdrawn with a smile and a shrug and they’d never came close to crossing that line again.

He’d made sure of that for both of them.

After that night, he’d treated her like his kid sister. And she’d hated it but she’d mostly given up dreaming about him as she watched him burn his way through girlfriends during high school. College was easier since they attended different schools, and at least she didn’t have to watch, but she’d heard the rumors about his college flings. And yes, she’d eavesdropped at her wedding shower when he’d talked about playing open mics at bars, talked passionately about writing music and told everyone unashamed that he paid the bills tending bar.

She wanted to watch him play.

“Sam,” she called out waving her hands in the air.

Too far away, he didn’t hear her, and he continued walking toward the gift table, his long legs eating up the lawn, his broad back filling out his black suit.

Thoughts of seeing him without his black suit crossed her mind, and she forced them away. She had no right thinking about him like that, dreaming about him naked.

Tuck that fantasy away, you’re getting married today, she chided herself, but like an addict, her naughty brain went there and her stomach flipped over.

“‘Friend zone,’ remember? He only wants to be friends.” She squeezed the railing and watched him and realized that even from this distance his gift was wrapped with tie die material.

Breathing became hard. Her dress seemed too tight.

Had she missed something? She’d thought he didn't care.

But why would a man who didn’t care go to the trouble to wrap his gift in tie die material?

"You remembered." She said to the wind as she put a hand to her mouth.

Memories of that game night returned, along with the memories of how she’s always wanted to be his, wanted him to be hers. In a blink of a eye, she was sixteen again and crushing on him hard. It was the night she’d made and worn her tie tied shirt with his name on it. She'd hollered his name and he's given her that small grin of his. And later at Gus’s he’d almost kissed her, but like most times with Sam, he’d pulled back, and they were back in the ‘friend zone’ again.

Back before college and even after, she’d spent a lot of time wondering if he thought of her naked, tangled up with each other, her skin against his skin. Sometimes she imaged that look in his eyes contained more than friendship but then he’d blink and the look would disappear, and he'd returned to being Sam.

As she watched he sat the present gently down and picked up Dylan’s and her picture.

He stared long and hard at their photo.

She imagined him remembering her playing wedding in her mother’s heels and pearls. Smiling, she remembered he’d never play the game with her, but he’d press his nose against the window and watch.

The thought had her smiling.

He jerked her violently away from the memory when without warning, he turned abruptly, his face pained and his stance rigid. Glancing toward those white chairs and the gathered guests, he violently jerked his black tie loose from his neck and stormed toward the parking lot.

“Sam!”

He almost ran now.

Her mother called. “Come inside. It’s time to go, dear.”

"Sam?" Even though she knew he couldn't hear, she said his name. Standing on her tiptoes, she lost sight of him as he disappeared between the magnolias.

Her heart hurt, her stomach churned and the urge to cry hit her hard as she turned and hurried into the bedroom. “Mother, I just saw Sam leaving. He’s leaving my wedding. How could he leave my wedding? Doesn’t he know I want him here? Something must be wrong.”

“You need to stop worrying about Sam. He's a big boy, and besides you know how that boy is?”

“Yeah, steady as a rock and just as dependable.” Her father entered and moved to kiss his wife on the cheek. “Emma, you sure look beautiful today.”

“I love the way you lie.” Her mother said dryly but she smiled. “And that boy’s tending bar for a living and chasing dreams.”

“At least he works and dreams aren’t a bad thing.” Her daddy looked her up and down and whistled. “Look at you. You’re stunning. My baby girl’s all grown up.”

“Oh, Daddy, you always say that.” She turned her head, and he kissed her cheek.

“Baby, you don't know how much I’ve dreaded giving you away. I've cherished every day with you, babygirl. You know that don’t you?”

Her face warmed. “I know, Daddy, you always say that too, but listen I saw Sam leave. Running almost to leave. Something has to be wrong. I’m worried. I need to talk to him.”

Her mother checked her perfect hair one last time. “I’m sure he’s just forgotten something in his truck. I’m sure he’ll be back. Now let’s go. You wouldn’t want to keep that handsome man you’ve caught waiting.”

“Mother, he’s hardly a fish.”

Her daddy offered his arm. “Come on, sweetheart. He’s Sam, he’ll be back. That boy’s never been able to stay away from you for long. I always thought.”

“Markus!” Her mother interrupted him sharply.

“Right. Never mind what I thought. You got a date with your groom. Let’s get this done.”

"You say that like walking me down the aisle is a chore."

"It is." Her father's tone dark as he offered his arm. “But if he’s what you want, then so be it. I just want you to be happy.”

Chewing her bottom lip, she let her mother and father hustle her out the door.

#####

All too quickly, she stood at the beginning of the aisle, holding her bouquet of pink roses and other flowers. She glanced at Dylan, who stood ramrod in his suit, but in truth, her eyes repeatedly searched the crowd, repeatedly hunted his broad shoulders in that black suit, and repeatedly hunted desperately for her Sam.

But no matter how many times she looked, he wasn’t there.

No, he wasn't anywhere among the guests.

Her daddy stood beside her now.

The time had come.

On cue, like they’d practiced, her cousin, Becky, started the wedding march mp3.

She gripped the bouquet with a death grip as her daddy offered her his arm.

Attempting to smile, she looked down the aisle at Dylan, and her heart slammed against her chest as she still searched the crowd for her Sam.

“Ready, darling?”

Breathing became hard.

She struggled to catch her breath. Gasping, she managed to say, “Daddy, where’s Sam? Have you seen him? I need Sam."

"No, baby, not yet. And you don’t need him."

"I'm not a baby, and yes, I DO. I thought you said he’d be back by now.” Her eyes swept the guests again. “I’ve looked and he’s not here. How could he not be here? He knows how important this day is to me?”

“I’m sure he’s around.” Her father smiled gently down at her.

“But I NEED to know where he is. It's important.”

He smiled gently down at her. “I’ll find him for you later. Jennie, maybe you shouldn’t you be worrying about Sam. You’re marrying Dylan, sweetheart, not Sam.”

The music played on, and they moved slowly forward. Step by step.

“Smile, honey. You’re supposed to look happy. This is your wedding day. The first day of the best days of your life.”

She plastered on a smile, and the moment became surreal as her father walked her down the aisle toward her future, toward the man she thought she loved.

But what if she didn't?

Damn where was Sam?

She needed Sam, right now.

Her future husband smiled at her, and she waited for the rush, wished for that wonderful flash of emotion she knew existed every time she looked at Sam, and by rights she should feel a rush for the man she married.

But nope, negative, no rush, nothing, no sizzle, no special feelings and the thought Sam had left kept replaying in her head.

And he’d left in a hurry.

WHY?

Why had he stared at their picture then left her wedding?

Why had he wrapped his gift to them in tie die fabric?

Had he wanted to remind her of the night she’d reached and held his hand, and he’d almost kissed her?

Did that mean he cared about her?

Cared about her, cared about her?

Now she wondered why she’d never gotten up the courage to kiss Sam?

Why’d she never forced him to kiss her?

Now she’d never know what he tasted like, and she’d always be left wondering.

Why’d had she never forced his hand?

Why had she never pushed?

Why had she never pushed him hard against a wall and taken what she wanted, friendship be damned.

Now she’d never know what his brain really thought behind his bedroom eyes.

No, she’d never know.

Ever.

Her stomach knotted, her head and heart ached.

A moment of clarity assaulted her.

She couldn’t do this. Not here and not now. Why was she doing this?

She couldn’t do this.

It was like being on a carnival ride, and she wanting off, needing to puke, while everything spun faster. She needed to make it stop.

And she wanted Sam here right now and not in the crowd.

No, she wanted him standing at the altar, wanted him waiting on her, wanted their music playing, while the congregation stood, honoring them, honoring Sam and her.

The music stopped as they reached the altar, and she made eye contact with Dylan.

The world stopped spinning and she knew that she couldn’t do this.

Looking into Dylan's intense gray eyes, she wished Sam’s blue eyes stared back at her instead.

No, she couldn’t do this.

Wait, she loved this man, right? She thought she loved Dylan.

Breathing became harder and her chest tightened.

What was wrong with her? How could she stand here wishing Sam stood at the altar waiting for her in his black suit and tie instead of Dylan in his blue suit?

She didn’t know but it was true.

Sam was the man she wanted. Sam was the one.

“Who gives this woman to marry this man?” Her grandfather’s booming voice broke through her racing thoughts.

“I do.” Her father reached out for her hand, and she clung to his arm like a life line.

Her papa raised a gray eyebrow at her and stage whispered, “Let go, dear. Take Dylan’s hand.” He nodded. “Like we practiced.”

Drowning in deep, choppy water, she gasped as realization crashed over her, She shook her head, violently.

Releasing her father, she took a step back, then another and another. “No, Papa, I’m sorry but I can’t do this. Daddy, please, I can’t. Dylan, I won’t. I’m sorry to hurt you but I can’t marry you.”

“Jennifer?” Dylan frowned and narrowed his eyes. “Sweetheart, take my hand, NOW.”

Tears threatened as she crushed her perfect bouquet of pink roses, laced with other flowers, against her chest as she shook her head again. “I’m sorry Dylan, truly sorry. I shouldn’t have never let it get this far. I should have told you no when you asked me to marry you. I need to find Sam.”

“Jennie?” Her father questioned.

“Jennifer, what do you mean? Should have told me no. Sam?”

“I can’t marry you, Dylan. It wouldn’t be right. I don’t love you enough. You’re a wonderful man who’ll make someone an excellent husband someday. But not me. I’m sorry if I’m hurting you but you’re not the one. I need to find Sam.”

“You don’t mean that, Jennifer. Take my hand. Step up and say your vows. I'll help you find Sam later. But you need to commit to me.”

“I can’t and stop calling me Jennifer. I’m Jennie and you know it. And I don't want you to help me find Sam. You and are over."

Gasps and awes sounded from the guests.

Her mother flew to her side, assuring the audience. “She’ll be fine. Let’s give her a moment to calm down. There, there, dear, your nerves are talking. You love Dylan. Take deep breaths. Everything will be fine.”

While her mother whispered, “Get it together. People are talking dear. The show must go on, kind of thing. Remember the ice sculpture’s melting as we speak. We need to get a move on.”

Dylan’s parents came forward too and everyone talked at once.

“Take his hand. How dare you? You’re embarrassing my son.” Dylan’s mother hissed at her. “Marry him now. Oh, my God, people are recording this.

“Well I never.” Stated Dylan’s father.

“I don’t care. I can’t marry him. I need to find Sam.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Her mother paled. "He's old money."

“Maybe I have, but I want to know why Sam isn’t here. If he approved of me marrying Dylan, he’d be here giving me his blessing. I have find him. Talk to him. I need to know. . .”

“Sam?” Dylan scoffed. “Your friend from school, Sam? Good lord, he’s a bartender.”

“So? And he’s a musician. He writes beautiful music and plays guitar. He has talent, lots of talent.”

“Talent doesn’t pay the bills. And I’m a lawyer for God’s sake. I can more than support you.”

“I can support myself. I have a degree. And don’t remind me. I know you’re a lawyer. And you act like one. Remember, you insisted I sign a prenup.”

“Like he’d marry the likes of you without one,” Dylan’s mother interrupted.

“Mother, please stop with the social slurs. You promised to try.”

Her mother bristled and started using air finger quotes. “What do you mean the ‘likes of you.’ You’re hardly ‘Freaking Royalty’ you know? And my daughter graduated from the same college as your son. Top of her class, too. Cords and honors, and if my daughter doesn’t want to marry your son, I not only support her, I applaud her.”

The two women started screaming insults at each other, while her father said repeatedly, “Emma, now Emma. You need to calm down. Remember your blood pressure.”

“You’ve been seeing your Sam behind my back, haven’t you?” Dylan’s voice rose bitterly. “I knew you were distant. You’re having an affair with your Sam, aren’t you?”

“NO! NEVER. I’ve never betrayed you. You don’t understand.”

“I don’t think any of us understand.” Her father shook his head.

Dylan glared at her. “I don’t believe you.” The man she'd thought she loved now looked at her with murder in his eyes. “You talk about him all the time. Sam did this and Sam did that. I hate when you say his name. I should have known you were doing him since you never want to have sex. Clearly you’ve been fucking him behind my back, haven’t you?”

Her head wanted to explode as people gasped.

“How dare you? And I thought I knew you? You think I cheated on you? I’m not a cheater. When I make a commitment, I keep it. I don’t know you at all.” She held her hands palms up. “Sam and I are best friends. We’ve never even kissed. I’ve been ‘friend zoned’ for years with Sam.”

“Sounds like you didn’t like the ‘friend zone.’” Now Dylan made finger quotes. “Look, men don’t have women for best friends. It’s not natural.”

“It’s natural for Sam.”

Dylan moved with the speed of a snake and grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, rattling her teeth. “Tell me the truth, NOW!”

Stronger than her, he shook her like a doll and she fought him, pushed against him. “STOP! Let me go. You’re hurting me.”

“Well you’re embarrassing me in front of all these people, in front of my friends, my associates. But I’ll forgive you if you get control of yourself and let’s get this over with. We’ll have to leave the reception early now to make the plane and stay on schedule.”

He gave her another quick shake, and she pushed hard, against his chest, fighting him and pushing back. “STOP, I’M TIRED OF YOUR SCHEDULES. LET ME GO. And women and men can be friends and not have sex, didn’t you know that?”

”Whatever.”

“Not whatever. I’ve never had sex with Sam.”

Her father and her grandfather closed in.

Violence radiated off her father as he chested Dylan. “You’d better be letting my daughter go right now. Men don’t shake women around here. Or bruise them. And I’m thinking you’re laying hands on my daughter, and I better never see it again or any signs of it if you get my meaning.”

Dylan released her like she’d burnt him. He shoved her away from him, almost making her fall. “I’m sorry, Jennifer. I don’t know what came over me. It’s probably all the allergy meds I’m on. This outdoor weather’s killing me.” He straightened his suit jacket and flicked off a piece of dust.

“And if she doesn’t want to marry you, I stand behind her decision.” Her father’s tone deadly, it brooked no room for argument. “This is her future, her happily ever after so she gets to choose who she spends it with.” He glared at the crowd. “And ya’ll feel free to talk about this amongst yourselves all you want because you’re going to anyway.”

Laughter quickly followed.

Her mother glared at her father and he shrugged. “Well they will.”

Her Papa leaned in and growled, “And I don’t think I’ll be marrying you too anytime soon. If my grandbaby doesn’t want to marry you then she doesn’t have too. Has anyone seen Sam? My Jennie wants a word with him. Now I always liked that boy. Good with his hands. He plays some wonderful county music.”

“Can we STOP TALKING ABOUT SAM. This is MY WEDDING.”

“Not anymore.” One of the guest quipped and more people laughed.

Dylan’s face turned red. Pointing his finger, he shook it at her. “This is all your fault. I told you we should have gotten married in the city. But no, you wanted a county wedding, out here in the sticks. With the damn magnolia’s blooming.” Dylan sneezed a couple of times.

“Personally, I love living in the sticks. Maybe I’ll move home. What do you think about that? Would you live here, Dylan? Do you love me enough to move here?”

“I knew you should have picked someone from your class, son. Knew she’d never do right by you. Jesus, I’ll be a laughing stock at the county club.” Dylan’s mother whined.

“Mother. You’re not helping.”

“Neither are you. Answer the question. Would you move here to make me happy? Would you give up the city for me?”

The man who professed he loved her swallowed hard and stared at his shoes, then lifted his head and glared at her. “No. I would not. My, I mean our lives are in the city. The real question here is are you or you not marrying me today?”

Looking at him one last time, searching for the rush, she only found him distasteful. She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I can’t. I’m sorry.”

He shut his eyes, then opened them and held out his hand, palm up. “So be it. Then I think you should return my engagement ring, Jennifer. You insist you can’t marry me, thus making the ring a conditional gift, and you clearly do not intend to fulfill the marriage between the two parties.”

She jerked his rock off her finger. “And there’s the lawyer in you. Here’s your ring back. It would have never have worked, and I’m glad I figured you out before we got married. All you care about is what people think. You don’t love me. You wanted me to be your arm candy and host your parties. To be pretty and do your bidding. I’m sorry but this is over.”

“FINE!” Dylan screamed as he took the ring and stomped away, his family bringing up the rear, complaining all the way.

Turning, she stuffed her now crushed bouquet at her mother, “Here, Mother, renew your vows or something, the ice sculpture’s melting and you might as well put it to good use, since you and Daddy’s already paid for it. Thank you both, by the way. And I’m sorry, both of you. I know I’m disappointing you.”

Her mother grayed as her father grinned. “No never. We just want you to be happy. And speaking of happy, Emma, how about you and I get remarried.”

Her mother shrugged. “What the heck. I’m all dressed up. And I haven’t seen you in a suit since the last time we got married. Plus there’s plenty of food and liquor.”

She hugged them both. “Love to stay and watch but I’ve got to go find Sam.”

“You do that baby girl. I always thought you two would end up together.”

“Markus!”

“Well I did and you know it. Now, Pa, you think you could start from the top?”

Smiling, she turned on her heel and hurried down the aisle.

Haley, a friend from school, came running after her as she headed for the parking lot. “Jennie, wait.”

“I have to find Sam.”

“I know. Look everyone always thought you two would be perfect together. I saw Sam leave. He looked heartbroken. I don’t think he could watch you marrying someone else.”

“I have to find him. Damn, what am I thinking? I don’t have my car. Dylan always drove when we went anywhere together.”

“Here take mine, it’s the white Chevy over there. Go and find him.” Kathy handed her the keys.

“Thanks, you’re a life saver.”

Her hands shook as she cranked the engine, her mind racing. Where would he go?

Then she knew.

Pulling up beside Gus’s diner, she saw him through the window. He sat in their booth, his shoulder’s slumped, his dark hair hanging in his eyes, as his hand swirling his coffee cup.

Putting the car in gear, she shut off the engine, threw the door open and slammed it behind her. All those years ago came flying back as she rushed toward the diner, freezing in her tracks as he glanced up to do a double take, clear shock on his face as he stared at her, like he’d imagined her.

She shrugged and held her hands palm up to him as the rush and her tears hit, and she covered her mouth with her hand to hold back the sobs.

He jumped up and ran out the door sweeping her into his strong arms and pressing her against his strong chest. “Shh . . . don’t cry, Jennie. Please don’t cry. What happened? What did that bastard do leave you at the altar? I’ll teach him some manners.”

“No, you idiot.” He smelled like home as she framed his scruffy face with her hands, her thumbs rubbing across his firm jaw. “I left him. I gave him his ring back.”

“You did what?” His voice broke and he swallowed hard. “Why? He’s perfect for you. Smart, driven, has old money. I thought you loved him.”

“I thought so too, but, I don’t. He fit my perfect picture I had in my mind. But I figured out I have to know.”

“Know what? You’re not making any sense.”

“No, this makes perfect sense.” She pulled him down and went up on her toes and kissed him.

He hesitated in the beginning but then his mouth opened, and he kissed her with a hunger she’d never experienced in a man before. Following his lead, she opened her mouth as their tongues battled and their teeth clashed.

Her stomach bottomed out, everything tingled and her toes curled and the rush, God, the sweet rush. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. You’re like kissing lightening. You make me feel alive.”

“I am?” He swallowed hard and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Wow, Jennie, you . . . you kissed me?”

“Yeah, I did and you taste like whiskey. It’s early afternoon. When did you start drinking whiskey in the afternoon?”

His blue eyes found hers, and she felt the lightning leap between them as he reached for her hand and squeezed. “Today because you were getting married.”

Looking deep in his eyes, she felt the rush over power her.

“And why did you leave my wedding?”

“Because I couldn’t watch you marry him.”

“Oh, Sam. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Jennie, it was your wedding day. Telling now could ruin everything. Your wedding, our friendship. I could have lost you completely. What if I’d found you and you didn’t want to hear that I’m a damn fool who’s waited too long to tell you I care about you? That I was dying inside because you didn’t want to marry me.”

He looked at his shoes then found her eyes.

And yeah, the flash of passion, of living life, the rush was there now, bottoming out her stomach and easing the pain in her heart.

She lay her hand on his heart. “Well, maybe, you should have told me instead of running. Maybe I’ve waited a lifetime to hear you say those words.”

“I didn’t want to mess up your perfect wedding. I know how much it meant to you.”

“But what if I wanted you to mess it up? I didn’t love Dylan. I love you, Sam, do you hear me. I love you.”

His eyes wide, he looked very serious now and disbelieving. “You mean that?”

“Sam, I left my groom at the altar, embarrassed and upset a lot of people when I gave him back his ring right before not saying my vows, and then I borrowed a car to chase after you. I’d say I mean that.”

His grin caused the butterflies to make extra trips around her stomach, and she loved it and him for it.

“So you still wanna get married? Not to him, to me, now I’m the one not making sense.”

She nodded, her throat full as tears threatened. “Only if the right man asks me.”

“Do you want the down on one knee thing? I’m willing if you want me to.”

A small sob escaped. “No, I’ve been there done that. I want the ‘you thing.’ Give me your best shot.”

He wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “Jennie, my sweet Jennie, I’ve loved you my entire life. I watched you drag your stuff animals down the stairs and play wedding for years.” His hands tucked her frizzy hair behind her ears.

“Go on.” Her tears kept coming.

“I’m an idiot who barely survived Jim Taylor breaking up our almost kiss all those years ago, and I convinced myself you only wanted to be friends.”

“Yeah, the ‘friend zone.’ I hate the ‘friend zone.’” She sobbed.

“It’d help me if you’d stop crying.”

“I can’t. They’re happy tears.”

“They don’t look happy to me.”

“I’m happy. Go on.”

“Today I thought I could go and watch you get married. I knew you wanted me there, but I love you, Jennie, and I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you during the wedding shower, wanted to jerk you out of his arms. I need to get it off my chest but I didn’t want to mess up your wedding. But I couldn’t watch you marry another man when I wanted you to marry me. Me, Jennie, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Sam, I will. I thought you’d never ask.”

Carefully, he framed her face with his hands and slowly, warily he found her mouth, and she realized what had been missing from her life as she experienced the rush and from the way he kissed her, she knew he felt it too.

Cars and trucks pulled into the parking lot. People poured out and even before their kissed ended, people hooted and hollered and clapped their hands.

And Sam grinned at them. “Mine,” he growled like a caveman and before she knew it, he kissed her senseless again.

People came over and congratulated them both and her tears finally dry. A bubble of happiness filled her chest as people clapped them on the back and shook Sam’s hand, wishing them well.

Finally, Sam grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the crowd with the words, “We’ll see ya’ll later. Thanks.” He opened the door to his older pickup truck for her and she climbed in. He closed her door behind her and she shivered.

Climbing in the truck, he noticed. “You’re cold.”

“Maybe a little.”

“You’re shivering.” He shrugged off his black jacket and placed it over her shoulders, engulfing her with his scent, his warmth and a short kiss.

This time when he pulled back, she took his hand. “I knew something was missing about today.”

“Did you figured it out?”

“Yeah, Sam. It was you in my life.”

He grinned and looked out the windshield. “Hey, you’re in the dress, I’m in the suit, so do you wanna get married?”

“Today? But the dress.”

“Is perfect and I can’t wait to take it off you.” He wagged his eyebrows at her and she blushed.

“But, we don’t have rings.”

“We’ll buy them tomorrow, along with the license. I only need you, Jennie. The rest will come.”

“Awe, Sam.” She reached and laced her fingers with his and like that one time in the diner, their hands fit perfectly.

He grinned his boyish grin of his, and her girl parts woke up. Tilting his head, a bit, he ask again, “So you wanna get married?”

“Yeah, Sam, I do.” She nodded.

Her Sam lay on the horn and rolled down the window. “We’re getting married. Come on ya’ll.”

More hooting and hollering reached her ears, and when he turned and looked into her eyes, oh, yeah, she knew their life would have its ups and downs but life would be a good ride.

And hell yeah, she felt the rush and knew she always would with her Sam.

#####

Later, after she and he had shocked both their parents and stood under the magnolia trees and her Papa had said the words over them in the company of what seemed half the town. Word, video and texts had spread the news, Facebook and Instagram had blown up and #Jam appeared on Twitter with the account picture of Sam kissing her in Gus’s parking lot.

Her small wedding had grown into a hometown media event.

Her perfect small wedding had become a free for all.

And that made it perfect and she loved it and her Sam.

When the time came for their first dance, her father proudly introduced them.

Sam stood and she placed her hand in his. He led her to the dance floor and he proceeded to sing Thomas Rhett’s Happy Man song in her ear as they danced.

Every last word he sang from his heart, but she thought this part the sweetest.

“And if I never get to build my mansion in Georgia Or drive a sports car up the coast of California Oh, if all I got is your hand in my hand Baby, I could die a happy man Baby, I could die a happy man Oh, I could die a happy man You know I could girl I could die, I could die a happy man.”

Then Sam kissed her on the dance floor and she kissed him back and everyone clapped and yelled.

Breaking apart, she grinned. “Talk about the perfect rush. Did you feel that?”

“Yeah. When can we leave? I’m dying to get you out of that dress.”

“Thought you’d never ask. Let’s sneak out. You go first.”

He took her hand and kissed the back of her hand and murmured, “See you in two by the fountain.”

“Done deal.” And yeah, she checked him out as he walked away.

Then she stood and looked around taking it all in.

Everything felt perfect.

Nothing missing. No itch that needed scratched.

The air charged with the magic of the moment.

Every piece of the puzzle snapped into place.

The guests laughed, danced, ate and drank. Children ran outside the tent in bare feet chasing fireflies and each other. Her father, his shirt sleeves rolled up now, and her mother, her hair now in a ponytail, swayed slowly to the music. Sam’s smiling parents nodded and waved from a table as they ate cake. The liquor flowed and soon Uncle John would start telling stories about his good old days. Aunt Kate would be singing pretty soon. And who knew which one would be mad at the other one tomorrow for a slight, a rumor or an outright lie. But most people would consider that her wedding had been a hoot.

Dinner with a show.

Such was small town life or the big city life. Drama and love they were the fabric of life. Family, friends, and the future all rolled into an event, a wedding. Today it was Sam and her wedding, tomorrow belonged to someone else.

She slipped out of the tent and hurried to find him standing forlorn by the fountain. His face lit up when he saw her and she rushed to hug him.

“Yeah, why the long face?”

He pulled her tight. “It’s nothing.”

“Come on. We’re married now. Talk to me.” She pulled away enough to look at this face in the low light.

“I’m better at not talking to you. Maybe we should of dated?”

She pushed away from him her stomach bottoming out and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you getting cold feet? Do you want to really be married?”

“Yes.” He stabbed his fingers through his hair and began to pace. “I mean no. Hell no. I’m in, all in but today’s been kind of surreal and . . .”

“And what? Finish it.”

“I stood here wondering if I was whiskey drunk, if tomorrow I’d wake up alone and this,” he waved his finger pointing at each of them, “us, we’d be gone. And I’d get up and write another sad song, go to work and watch people get stoned and listen to their problems,” he swallowed hard, “and you’d be married to someone else.” Sam looked down at his shoes and stuck his hands in his pockets.

She rushed to him and he barely managed to get his hands of his pockets before she bowled him over. “I love you, Sam. And husband you’re not whiskey drunk, though I’ve noted you have a flask in your jacket’s pocket. And I want you to know that I think my wedding was perfect because I married the right man today.”

“I’ll second that motion. I love you too, Jennie. Come on wife, let’s go home.”

His jacket on her bare shoulders, her shoes dangling from her fingers by the straps and his hand intertwined with hers, the crickets and tree frogs serenaded them as they walked toward the parking lot.

“I hear you have an apartment?”

He slowed and hesitated. “Yeah, it’s small and I’m a guy who didn’t even dream you might visit me so you might brace yourself.”

“Okay, so noted. Tell me you at least own a bed.”

“Yeah, queen sized and not much else, except a few guitars.”

And, oh yeah, there was that sweet rush as she smiled up at him. “You planning to sleep with me tonight?”

No answer and he jerked her to a stop and pulled her into his arms.

“Sam, are you blushing?”

“Jennie, the things you say sometimes.”

“You’ll get used to it.” She sprayed her hand on his broad chest and gave a slight push. “Well answer the question.”

“Not planning on doing much sleeping, actually.”

He smiled and she about melted in a puddle beside him. “Then that’s all we need today, right?”

“Damn right. I love you, Jennie.”

“Love you too, Sam. Let’s move this along. Race you to the truck.” She spun out of his arms and ran, giggling as he recovered and gave chase laughing. She beat him but he caught her at the truck.

“You cheated. I wasn’t ready.”

“Then you better get ready.” And she laughed because she’d won all the way around. Then she didn’t have the air to laugh but she loved the rush of his kiss.

“I’ll work on that. Guess I'll get started right now.” His mouth moved to the nape of her neck while his hands smoothed her bare back.

And her heart beat rushed like never before. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Let’s go home, Sam.”

The End or Rather the Beginning.

I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I loved writing it. Love to hear your thoughts on this short story. And as always thanks for the read.

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