Had his eyes always been this deep and dark? Or is it because of his mask?

As I look at his eyes and listen to his melodic voice, I feel a tingling sensation spread through me faster than a whirlwind.

“While I considered what to say today, I can’t help thinking of all the memories that we’ve made in such a short time. Nicole, I’m excited to make many more memories with you as my wife.”

Tears well up immediately as I blink in surprise.

Ryan had seemed so against writing our own vows. But now, clenching my hands tightly in his, he stares into my eyes as we make a commitment to one another.

“You’re the most amazing person I have ever met. You have the remarkable ability to light up any room with just your smile and infectious laugh.”

I laugh and shake my head. He’s so sweet.

“Every time I look at you, I see someone that I care about more than anything in the world. I can’t bear to be apart from you.”

Dammit! Tears are starting to stream down my face. Thankfully, the mask will hide the worst of my mascara running.

“I promise to hold you tight when you need comforting, to stand strong with you when we face adversity, and to continue to laugh with you, day and night. I promise to give you all the love I have to offer for the rest of our lives.”

Slowly, he pulls my hand up and kisses the back of it.

“Now, I’m officially the luckiest man alive.”

His smile is radiant. I’m stunned.

His heartfelt words touch my soul. They relieve tension I didn’t even realize I had.

I knew we were meant to be together! Having to defend our relationship against the doubts of my friends—against Allison—had made me feel like I should be second-guessing this marriage.

Maybe now, she’ll see that this is the man of my dreams.

I’ve spent days writing and rewriting what I wanted to say at this point.

But it all seems so trite now. His committed declarations deserve the same honesty.

Instead of pulling out the carefully folded piece of paper in my bra, I take a deep breath and prepare to bear out my heart.

“Today, I take you to be my husband, but you’re so much more. I promise, as your wife, I’ll always defend you to others, even when you’re wrong.”

Allison’s extremely loud laugh next to me makes me pause to laugh, too.

She obviously sees the irony.

“I vow to always be open and honest with you and to clarify my expectations of you. I understand that love and marriage won’t always be easy. I promise to face these challenges with you because we’re stronger together than we are apart. While overcoming these challenges, I promise not to keep score even when I’m winning.”

My cheeky comment earns me a wink and another smile.

How could I have thought that this wasn’t going to work?

“I’ll always encourage you to seek your grandest aspirations. I’ll inspire and laugh with you when things don’t go according to plan.”

Okay. If I’m honest with myself, that is what I want, too.

And I admit that I’m...also thinking a bit of Dante. He had always seemed to like me just the way I am. Some of these feelings do seem to apply to him.

Who even knows where he is?

It doesn’t matter.

“I commit myself to this love and whatever adventure it gives us. I’ll always be satisfied because I could never ask for more than your companionship. In the warmth of your heart and the comfort of your arms, I promise to be happy and to never take our friendship for granted. I cannot wait to start the best chapter of my life today. I love you always.”

My voice breaks at my final declaration. Who can blame me?

I love him so damn much!

Everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl is coming true right now at this moment. I have a wonderful loving man who has just declared his love to me.

Vaguely, I hear the priest say, “You may kiss the bride.”

Ryan releases my hands to pull me forward by my waist. Tipping my chin up, he leans in slowly, and our lips meet softly.

His tongue smoothly glides across my lips as I open to him.

My body tingles, and I feel my nipples harden, as our tongues savor one another. I lose all perception of time as we kiss and cling to one another.

He pulls away slightly, and our breath mingles. It’s only his hand on my neck and arm around my waist that keeps me upright. I’m practically swooning!

Can we go back to the room now?

“Congratulations!” Allison pulls me away from Ryan to hug me tightly.

“You’re my best friend, and I just want you to be happy,” she whispers softly in my ear before releasing me again. With an exaggerated wink, she turns to Ryan and says, “Take care of my best friend! Congratulations!”

Then, she wraps one of her arms around Ryan, hugging us both. “Let’s go party!”

“Start with these,” Ryan says, turning slightly to the table beside us where there’s a tray with half a dozen shots.

The priest moves to the end of the table shuffling some paperwork. He looks at Ryan expectantly.

Ryan gingerly hands me a shot as Allison grabs her own.

“To my beautiful wife!” He clinks our glasses. “And to my wife’s beautiful friend.”

Allison does a better job than I do not spilling anything. Strong alcohol burns my throat, but I smile. Woo!

“One more,” he states, handing the priest a glass.

“My turn!” I grab the shots to pass them out. “To my two best friends, thanks for being here and making all my dreams come true.”

We lift our glasses together, then throw our heads back as the liquor hits our throats. The burn is more manageable this time.

“It’s my turn now.” Allison spins, looking for the bar.

“Don’t go far. We have to finalize the paperwork here,” Ryan says. He pulls me in by my shoulders and wraps me in a hug as he kisses the top of my head. “Just a couple of minutes, okay?”

“Perfect. Allison and I will be right there.”

Fifteen feet away, there’s an opening at the bar that Allison and I take. I can’t help ogling my new husband as Allison orders our drinks.

He’s just so damn fine. Even his dress pants fit his ass perfectly.

I can’t wait to be alone with him. Naked. Tonight!

Our drinks and shots still haven’t arrived when he turns around to wave me over.

He smirks. Yeah, I’m busted.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, squeezing Allison’s arm.

I approach Ryan, who brandishes a pen, tapping it gently against my nose before following it with a kiss.

“Just sign here.”

The priest smiles as I scribble my name quickly. Ryan’s arms around my waist are doing an admirable job of holding me up, but they are also very distracting!

Flushing, I pass the pen to the priest. “Thank you so much.”

Smiling, I link my fingers with Ryan’s and gently press them into a more appropriate position around my waist.

“Ta-da!” Allison arrives, holding a tray with our favorite drinks and another shot glass.

Awesome!

I grab a shot as Allison holds hers high in the air.

“To my best friend and her new husband. Take care of her so I don’t have to kill you.”

We all laugh, but I don’t think she was kidding. At least not totally.

The sharp taste of the shot coincides perfectly with the Bellini Allison brought us. Guzzling a bit definitely helps chase the taste of the liquor.

Ryan had really timed everything perfectly. Moving to the doors, drinks in hand, we walk out to join the celebration. The festivities are just beginning, and we’re pulled out and along with the crowd.

Allison comes and goes as she sees her friends, and she spins off into a dance. Ryan and I sway with the music, happy to be together. I feel so relaxed now.

Everything had been so tense and up in the air until today. My whole body seems to be giving out a huge sigh of relief.

“Nicole? Nicole?”

My eyes flutter open to see the familiar black cat mask. “So pretty…”

Sighing, my eyes close briefly again before I jolt awake as Ryan picks me up.

“Is she okay?” Allison’s voice sounds tense, and I try to make my eyes focus.

I give up. It’s easier just to listen. I snuggle closer to my new husband.

He smells delicious. Good enough to eat.

Mmm, yes. Soon…maybe.

“Just a little too much to drink,” he says, trying to keep his voice low so as not to wake me even though it’s near impossible to be heard over the din of the crowd.

But I smile nonetheless. He’s so thoughtful.

“Are you coming back with us? I’m tucking her into bed.”

Alison laughs.

“Sure, sure. Yes, I’m fine. You guys have a fun night.”

Her lips smack my cheek as she coos, “Night, sweetie!”

My drifts to sleep, and the next time I wake up, I already feel the bed beneath me. My shoes have been pulled off. Perfect.

The covers have been pulled up around me.

I stretch and roll onto my side just as I realize that I’m no longer wearing my mask.

Then, I feel arms around me, and I roll back as warm, firm lips press against my mouth. I pull Ryan into a hug, with no intention of letting go anytime soon.

I’m half asleep before he’s done pulling away.

“Good night, Mrs. Dante Walsh.”

His deep voice is soothing as my head starts to feel heavy again.

I’m married now.

I giggle softly as I cuddle the pillow and drift off to sleep.