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I was wearing an ivory gown adorned with white pearls and lace. It flowed around me like petals on a flower. The bodice hugged me tightly, and laced up in the back. Fabric draped across my shoulders and hundreds of tiny white flowers were woven into my hair.Advertisement

Leaning back, the wedding planner fanned my train. “Ready, Abby?”

I nodded, beaming at her. The two whitewashed wooden doors slowly opened in front of me as I walked down the aisle to the wedding march. It took every ounce of restraint not to run. The look on Jack’s face was a combination of awe and lust. My heart raced faster and I was certain I walked too fast, nearly kicking the photographer out of the way. Smiling broadly, we said our vows, hand in hand.

The minister said, “I now present you with Mr. and Mrs. Gray.” Jack and I ran down the aisle and outside to where a car waited to take us away. We grinned, running though the paparazzi, not minding their presence. They repaired Jack’s career as fast as they destroyed it over the past few weeks. The auction transferred Jack’s entire fortune to me, demonstrating to the world how much he adored me. Since then, the stories came up over and over again—they couldn’t believe that they missed it. All those years they spent looking for dirt on Jack were wasted, because they saw that the reason for his solitude was that he was madly in love with me. I was the one that got away, and by the time he found me it was too late. I’d taken my vows and he didn’t want to make me fall. Stories appeared calling us the star-crossed lovers that we were.

I dove into the car first, my lacy dress flowing around my ankles. Jack followed, laughing, falling into me. His tuxedo fit him perfectly. The dark charcoal gray made his eyes seem impossibly blue. Giggling, I helped him up, loving the feeling of his hands on my body.

As the driver pulled away, Jack leaned in close. Blue eyes burning, a wicked smile spread across his lips, “I have an idea for a wedding portrait, Mrs. Gray.” He kissed my neck, and I melted in his arms. pqdm.com