As the first strains of All of Me by John Legend began, my mom gripped my hand. “Here we go, sweetheart,” she said, winking at me and giving me a gentle tug. I quickly fell into step next to her, and we took my trip down the aisle.
Griffin and Bryant were standing at the altar with Sam, Justin’s Dad. He’d chosen him to be his best man, since he was, as he said, ‘the finest example of a man I’ve ever known, and the kind of a husband I want to be to you.’ Sam’s lower lip was trembling, but he stood there, a perfect vision of stoic gentleman combined with fatherly pride.
My eyes finally fell on the love of my life, and I lost all breath. Justin stood next to the minister in a simple black tux with a satin shawl collar, but he wore a black shirt and tie beneath. Justin would never be traditional in any way, not with his rough good looks—the shaved head, his neatly trimmed goatee, earrings, and ink adorning his body. He cleaned up marvelously well, but it was only fitting he broke the rules somehow. He looked devastating. Anyone else would look like they were going to a funeral rather than their own wedding, but not my man. I giggled when I looked down and saw he was wearing a new, unscuffed pair of motorcycle boots with his tux. They weren’t the ugly, chunky kind with the buckles, but the smooth ones with the silver rings at the ankles. He looked perfect to me.
As we approached the altar, he came to stand on the other side of me. When the minister asked who was giving me away, my mom’s voice broke a bit at first. After a delicate cough, she managed to respond clearly, and in a louder voice than usual, “I do, with all my love and blessings for them both.” I smiled at her improvisation, then leaned over to kiss her cheek before putting my hand in Justin’s.
I cast a sideways glance at him as he led me up the few stairs to the stand before the officiant. His eyes were riveted to me. If he wasn’t careful, he would trip as he climbed the steps as focused on me as he was. When I turned my head fully to look at him, I noticed the soft shimmer of perspiration on his forehead.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
He nodded roughly, then cleared his throat before whispering back, “Who the fuck are all these people?”
I tried hard to suppress the giggle threatening to spill from my throat. I leaned in and in a hushed tone said, “I have absolutely no idea. Ask your mom.”
“Jesus,” he muttered under his breath as we both looked up at the minister.
The rest of the ceremony proceeded as all tend to do. There were no hiccups, no funny stories of candelabras crashing to the floor or rings being dropped or forgotten. Finally, it came time for our vows. We had decided we would be different. Not only had we opted to write our own vows, we wrote them together and requested to say them simultaneously, rather than in turns. When the minister motioned for us to begin, we recited in unison:
We are not perfect people,
We’ve lived our lives, and
made our mistakes.
From today forward, we begin anew
And vow to be
Devoted partners,
Honest communicators,
Fearless warriors,
The protectors of the each other’s heart.
Faithful lovers,
Best friends,
And the guardians of our souls.
We are not perfect people,
But our love is perfection.
Thank You!
Thank you for taking a chance on a new, independent author. I hope you have enjoyed reading these books as much as I have writing them. If you liked the stories, or even if you didn't, I'd be grateful if you'd consider leaving a review. Aside from helping to sell books, reviews provide authors valuable feedback that helps us learn and grow, and hopefully bring you the kinds of tales you want to read.
I love hearing from readers! You can find me at any of the following places:
On Facebook:
https://facebook.com/heather.guimond
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/HeatherRGuimond
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14246125.Heather_Guimond
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Heather-Guimond/e/B017VINKRI/
My website:
https://heatherguimond.com
I'm very active in my Facebook readers' group, Heather's Harlots. I'd be so honored if you'd join us for games, giveaways, random memes of hot coffee and hotter guys (and girls for a few of the brave men that have joined us!), along with friendship and laughter.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HeathersHarlots/
About the Author
Heather Guimond is a Los Angeles native, a fact of which she is abnormally proud. When she's not trying to write something that will make people laugh while simultaneously ripping their hearts out, she's either reading or doing her best to crack the whip on her three home-schooled children. She loves all things witty and wise-cracking, as well most varieties of smart-assery (just ask her very own smart-ass, her husband). More than anything, she hopes that she writes books that stick with the reader long after the pages have been read.
Acknowledgements
Finally! There were times I thought I’d never reach this page, but I did it! I had help, however, from a fabulous group of people who should be recognized.
Before anyone else, I must thank Cheryl Maddox. She took a chance with me last year and has been not only my “Famous and Fabulous” personal assistant, she has been my friend. This book came together in large part due to her gentle nudges, occasional elbowing, and very often swift kicks in the pants. Any visibility The Perfection Series gained over the last year is one-hundred percent her doing. In addition to having the patience of Job during the times I couldn’t write, she was there promoting me and the books and making sure people learned my name. I have a wealth of new friends because of her. She’s taught me how to smile and be friendly at events, (I’m shy, y’all!) and I’ve been hugged by complete strangers because she hugged them first, and I was standing next to her. No matter where my writing career goes from here, Cheryl is coming with.
Next, I want to thank an awesome bunch of women, (and a couple brave men), Heather’s Harlots. I look forward to hot coffee with you all every morning, and how I can always rely on you for man-cake when called upon. I will get you all on the Bunsday Train sooner or later. Thank you for not only being fans, but friends.
Special thanks go to my BFB, Meg Anne. I love laughing with you and talking about books and alcohol! I can’t believe we had to go all the way to NOLA to meet even though we live 30 miles apart! Thank you for letting me be your first official fan and for your killer suggestion of “The O Zone.” I look forward to many more conversations, signings, and cocktails with you! (Now, send me Reign of Ash!)
I have a solid team of people in my life who support my writing and are always eager to read for me and give me their honest opinions. In no particular order, I’d like to thank Polett Villalta, Vicki Lowe-Johnson, and Nick Marsh.
I am so grateful to my content editor, Dara Bush, and beta reader, Heather Swan, for reading under short time limits for me because I’m impulsive and feel the need to set impossible deadlines for myself and everyone else. You ladies kick ass and helped me improve this story so much!
I can’t put into words the depth of my gratitude to Nickii Fowler. Aside from being a tremendous source of love and support, she is my sounding board whenever I get stuck, confused or need to work something out. If it weren’t for her, you’d have read a vastly different (and maybe convoluted) climax in this book.
Endless thanks to Kathy Chamberlain-Horne for her suggestion of Just Perfection as the title. Simply put, it’s perfect!
Finally, thank you to everyone who stuck with me, purchased, read and/or reviewed the volumes of The Perfection Series. I hope you enjoyed Mimi’s journey to her happy ending as much as I did.
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