After The One (The One Series Duet)

by Danielle Allen

  “I don’t know. JJ knows. She said she could tell and she doesn’t care. She said as long as the relationship doesn’t negatively impact my work, it’s none of her business and my job is safe. But Robert Brady doesn’t know and he’s a wild card. I don’t want Bryce to lose his job,” Koko told us, sorrow in her tone. “But enough of that, we are going to have a beautiful brunch and then we are going to get our hair and makeup done and then we are going to watch our Zoe become Mrs. Julian Winters.”

  Howls and catcalls rang out from the three of them as I grinned foolishly.

  I am going to be Mrs. Julian Winters.

  We arrived at some swanky restaurant thirty minutes away from the resort. We hopped out of the car and the valet drove off leaving us staring up at the building in awe.

  “Wow,” I commented as we took tentative steps toward the reflective glass doors. We couldn’t see in, but we could certainly tell from the doorman that we were out of our usual element.

  “Nice choice,” Lenny muttered under her breath.

  Koko nodded. “This is going to be amazing.”

  As we approached, the doorman opened the door for us. I was the first one to enter the building.

  “Wow,” I repeated to myself as I looked at the marble columns, ancient Greek statues, and elaborate mural on the high ceiling. Paintings and sculptures were strategically placed along the walls while benches were positioned throughout the middle.

  I hope they didn’t have to pay to get us a reservation here. I looked over at them and noticed the wonder in their faces. Maybe they didn’t even know how expensive this place is.

  My friends were truly the best group of women. I loved them wholeheartedly and I appreciated the effort they’d put in to be there for me. But I could not in good faith allow them to spend whatever kind of money this place required.

  I cast my gaze around once more before I stopped in my tracks. I had been so captivated by the beauty that I hadn’t realized it appeared as though we were at a museum and not a restaurant.

  “This way,” Koko directed as she strutted across the marble floor. Our heels clicked in the mostly silent gallery as we followed her to the desk.

  “Hello, we have a reservation under Zoe Winters,” Koko told the female attendant.

  I grinned as I heard my married name for the first time from someone other than me or Julian. “Zoe Winters,” I murmured.

  Lenny heard me and grabbed my hand.

  I squeezed it and she squeezed back.

  “While you wait for your table, please feel free to take in our gallery. We have information packets here and we can send a text when your table is ready,” a male attendant spoke up.

  With a tight smile, the female attendant corrected him. “Their table is ready now.” She turned back to Koko. “Your guests are already here. To get to our restaurant, please take our elevator to the second floor.”

  As soon as we were at the elevator, I let my curiosity be known. “Our guests? Who are we meeting here?” I asked as Lenny and Keisha avoided eye contact with me.

  “Who do you think?” Koko replied with her best poker face.

  I talked to Mom and Dad this morning and they were going to breakfast with Julian’s parents… I texted Zach, but he didn’t answer...

  “Probably an old friend from UCLA…?” I looked from Koko to Keisha, but then Lenny caught my eye. “Or someone from Breakers Bar?”

  No one said a word, even though I scowled at them as they exchanged knowing smiles.

  The elevator door dinged open to a posh restaurant with two glass walls and several marble columns. Crisp white tablecloths and glass tableware gave the entire room a heightened elegance. Even the waiters and waitresses wore solid white dress shirts and either black pants or skirts.

  “This place is unbelievable,” Keisha remarked.

  A waitress greeted us and once Koko gave her my name, we were taken to a table in a little alcove. A grin spread across my face as I saw who was waiting for us.

  My eyes stung with happy tears. “I thought you said you were having breakfast with Julian’s parents,” I cried, throwing my arms around my mom and then my dad.

  “We wanted to surprise you,” my mom said, stroking my hair.

  “Are you surprised?” my dad asked with a stroke to my cheek.

  “I’m so surprised!” I put my hand to my chest and then I went around them to hug the other members of my family. “Hi Grandma!”

  After embracing my grandma, my brother and his girlfriend, my cousin and her boyfriend, and my aunt who I hadn’t even known was going to be able to make it, we all sat down. I noticed they all had on black and white.

  “You all look great.” I looked at my best friends, my gaze focused on Koko for a beat longer than the rest. “Thank you for everything. This is amazing.”

  We ate family style while we enjoyed each other’s company. We had loud group conversations. We broke off into separate, smaller conversations. We spent almost two full hours eating decadently and laughing heartily.

  My mom looked at her watch. “Oh! We have to head back soon.”

  I looked at the clock on my phone; the wedding wasn’t going to start until five and it wasn’t even noon.

  I guess we should be back no later than two o’clock.

  I was having such a good time; I didn’t want to leave right away. It had nothing to do with having second thoughts about being Julian’s wife—I wanted that more than anything. My hesitation was rooted in the fact that we were sharing our last real meal all together until the next holiday season.

  The only thing missing, the one thing that would make the moment complete was Julian, but besides him, I had all my loved ones together in one spot for the first time ever. I didn’t make it back home to Virginia as often as my family would’ve liked. My family didn’t make it California as often as I would’ve liked. My friends and I were busy with work so we didn’t see each other as often as we should. Our brunch at the incredibly chic Greek-inspired venue would always be a treasured memory.

  I used my dessert fork to clink my glass, getting my friends and family’s attention. “First, thank you all for being here. You all look beautiful in your black and white. I’m glad I got to spend a few private moments with you. This surprise brunch was exactly what I needed before having to be on camera later. Speaking of that…you didn’t sign up to do a television show and I apologize for you being subjected to the intrusion, but I will say I am thankful that Koko signed me up for The One.” I looked at her and smiled before sweeping my gaze around the table. “Without the show, I wouldn’t have met Julian when I did and we wouldn’t be getting married today.”

  I cleared my throat before I continued. “I am incredibly blessed to have you all with me today to celebrate my marriage to Julian. In five hours, I will be walking down the aisle surrounded by all of you. Each of you has touched me and molded me into the woman I am so I just wanted to take a few minutes to say I love you, and I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life.”

  While everyone clinked glasses, I ran the pad of my finger under my eyes to absorb any moisture. I felt so simultaneously happy and weepy, I couldn’t be sure if I was crying or not.

  Since I was busy hugging and saying goodbyes, I didn’t pay attention to who paid.

  I’m going to have to make them tell me on the way back to the villas.

  We were all about to walk out when my father caught my arm. “Sweetheart, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  I tilted my head slightly, studying his face. “Of course, Dad.” Looking back at my friends, I said, “I need to talk to my dad.”

  “That’s fine,” Keisha replied. “Gives us a chance to check out the gallery.”

  “Take your time,” Koko added.

  Lenny blew me a kiss and then the three of them caught up to the rest of my family at the elevator.

  Sitting back down at our table, I studied my dad’s handsome face. Even though I looked more like my mom, I had my dad’s eyes—alth
ough his looked troubled. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew whatever he said was going to make me cry. I could feel it.

  “What’s going on, Dad?” I asked nervously.

  He took his hand and covered mine, patting gently. “I just wanted to give you a little fatherly advice before you get married. When we get back, it’ll be go time. You’ll do all the primping and everything and then there will be people and cameras all around you and I won’t get this chance.”

  My eyes watered instantly and I nodded in agreement.

  “Marriage is hard, Sweetheart,” he started.

  My freshly shaped up and arched eyebrows flew together in bewilderment as I hadn’t expected him to say that. “What?” I snickered, unsure of what emotion I was feeling since I was reeling. “You and Mom are the perfect couple. Your marriage is the kind of marriage I want.”

  Dad chuckled as he leaned over to grab his glass from a couple seats down and took a swig of the sweet tea and lemonade combination. “Marriage is hard. Your mother and I work hard at this. We love each other. I love her more today than I did when we got married, but marriage is compromise, sacrifice, and forgiveness as much as it is companionship and love. Your mother and I are best friends and that’s the secret to marriage. You don’t get to thirty years of marriage on that ‘in love’ kind of love. That comes and goes as the years pass. It’s only that real steadfast love that lasts. We put our relationship first and we communicate, and just hearing you talk about him just now…” His voice trailed off as he looked away and nodded. “You and Julian remind me of me and your mother when we were your age, except we already had Zach by then.”

  I rolled my eyes playfully. “Dad!” I swatted him.

  “If I didn’t at least mention it, your grandma would get on my case.” He laughed. “But on a serious note, stay grateful and thankful for one another. Pray for one another. Build on what you have because when you have real, genuine love as your solid foundation and you are both committed to each other and to your marriage, nothing will stop you. When Julian asked me for your hand in marriage, I had no doubt in my mind that he would take care of my baby girl. You’re in good hands and so is he.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” I sniffled as I dabbed at the corners of my eyes. “You’re going to make me cry and you know how I feel about that.”

  He stood up. “You are just like your mother,” he teased, extending his hand to help me up.

  I threw my arms around my father and clung to his body tightly. He held me like a bear holding his cub and I felt the tears about to spring from my tightly closed lids.

  “I love you, Dad.”

  “I love you, too, Sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head. “And I am so proud of you.”

  When I lifted my head up, my dad flashed me a crooked smile. “I know how you feel about crying in front of people so how about you run to the ladies room and wipe off some of that makeup that smeared under your eyes. I’m going to call your mother and let her know I wanted to show you one more thing before we’ll be down.”

  I nodded and walked off, scared that if I said anything to him the levies would break.

  The bathroom was empty and I took a few minutes to catch my breath and get myself together. I wiped the small amount of makeup I had on off and only reapplied the eyeshadow. I didn’t use the eyeliner because it smudged and instead of gloss, I decided to rub on some lip balm.

  I’m going to just have my makeup redone in a couple of hours anyway so why bother.

  The only reason I even bothered with the eyeshadow was because I wanted it to distract from the fact that my eyes were slightly pink and anything even slightly sentimental would result in me breaking down and crying.

  Okay. I opened my black clutch. I have my phone, eyeliner, keys, keycard, wallet. I looked back in the mirror. Koko has my cardigan. So I think I have everything. We leave now, get back to the villas, and the glam squad will get me TV ready. Then I’m going to marry Julian Winters. In a few short hours, I’m going to be Julian’s wife. I wish he was here to hear what my dad said.

  I took a step back from the sink and checked my white dress to make sure I hadn’t gotten anything on it.

  I really love this dress. This was a good choice to wear today. My stomach fluttered and I put my hand to my belly. Oh my God, I’m marrying Julian today.

  Happiness carried me as I bounded out of the bathroom to find my dad standing near the elevator bank.

  He smiled warmly and his eyes looked glassy.

  “Everything okay, Dad?”

  “Everything is perfect, Sweetheart.” The elevator door opened and classical music floated out. He took my arm and linked it with his as we entered. “It won’t be long before I’m walking you down the aisle.”

  I repositioned my arm more comfortably as it wrapped around his. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back. “You are killing me, Dad. You are going to make me burst into tears.”

  He laughed lightly. “Okay, no more sentimental talk. I just want to show you this view and then we are heading back to the resort.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The door to the elevator opened and my mouth dropped open. I was speechless.

  My grip on my dad’s arm tightened as we stepped off the elevator.

  I noticed my immediate family, Julian’s immediate family, and our best friends standing in front of white chairs on either side of a black and white rose covered aisle. I noticed the breathtaking view and how the unseasonably warm sun beamed down, casting a glow over everyone. I noticed it all, but I never focused on any one particular thing because I had tunnel vision. Once I locked eyes with Julian in a pair of black pants, a tailored-to-perfection white button-up shirt, and a black bowtie, everything else faded away.

  One of the tears I had just barely been able to hold back during my talk with my dad streamed down my face as I looked at the man I loved. I started to walk toward him, but my dad held my arm and prevented me from moving.

  Beverly approached from seemingly nowhere, took my clutch out of my hand, and replaced it with a bouquet of black and white roses. She wiped my face with a cloth and then kissed my cheek. I sucked in a deep breath, determined not to let another tear fall.

  And then I heard it.

  The smooth yet soulful sound of an acoustic guitar’s strings being slowly plucked gripped my heart. Even with the hustle and bustle of the city below, I could distinctly hear the slow drag of each guitar string as the fingers of whoever was playing maneuvered over the instrument. Each note was heavy and light, romantic and heartbreaking, full of love and loss.

  An acoustic instrumental! Oh my God, this is perfect. I love—OH MY GOD!

  Chele King’s achingly beautiful voice began singing the lyrics to “Always The One” as I gazed at Julian. The music sounded like a melancholy lullaby against the lyrics that longed for the love of her life. As she described the man she loved and why she loved him, my father nudged me to start walking. With each step, my heart broke open as the words hit me. I felt vulnerable and exposed as I stared at Julian. Hearing those words being sung the way they were being sung and knowing I felt that exact same way about Julian filled my eyes with tears. I bit my bottom lip to keep my cheeks dry. I didn’t even bother letting my bottom lip out from between my teeth until the song came to an end.

  He did this. Julian did this. For me. For us. I stared at the man I loved and my heart beat for him. I blinked as hard and as rapidly as I could, but I couldn’t help it. A second tear slid down my face and threatened to bring all of his friends with him. I swiped at my cheek with my manicured fingers and swallowed hard. I love him.

  “We are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of friends and family to unite Zoe Elise Jordan and Julian Evan Winters in holy matrimony. Who is it that offers this woman to this man?”

  Ummm what? Who offers me? I thought, immediately snatched from my romantic bubble. “Offers me” as if I am a commodity to be bought and sold? You can’t “offer�
� other people. You can only offer yourself.

  I caught the slight cringe in Julian’s eyes and I couldn’t help but smile. We’d talked to the pastor performing our ceremony at the resort and he knew what language we wanted changed. I guessed Julian had forgotten to tell the man performing this ceremony.

  But it’s okay. I winked at him. He put this whole thing together.

  My dad and I looked at each other at the same time and he lifted his eyebrow at me.

  “I do,” I answered, holding my father’s arm tightly and watching the man holding the Bible.

  The officiant did a double take before shifting his shocked stare between me and my father and Julian. He even seemed to look at the other guests for help.

  “Who is it that offers this woman to this man?” the officiant restated, his voice a little quieter and slower.

  “I do,” I repeated with a smile. I looked at Julian and my heart fluttered. “I offer myself to Julian.”

  The officiant paused, clearly unsure of what was happening. “I know we didn’t do a rehearsal, but Mr. Jordan…you’re supposed to say, ‘I do’ or ‘we do’ when I ask the question.”

  My dad spoke up proudly. “Zoe’s mother and I have always taught our daughter to be independent. The word ‘offer’ implies that this is our decision. As proud and happy as we are for Zoe and Julian to be making this commitment, only Zoe can offer herself to him. But if the question is do we support her decision to offer herself to him, that’s something different.” He looked back at my mom and when I glanced at her, she looked like she was going to make out with my dad on the spot.

  Yep. That’s not what I’m trying to see.

  I quickly turned back around.

  “We do,” my parents said in unison.

  The officiant looked as though he was going to roll his eyes.

  “Okay,” he replied with only slight annoyance. “You may all be seated.”

  I heard the rustling of chairs and amused murmurs as everyone took their seats.

  The officiant told Julian to take me from my father and return to the altar with me.

  Julian and my dad started to shake hands, but in the few seconds that they were in arm’s reach, they fell into a hug. My father, who was slightly larger, grabbed Julian and clutched his head. I realized quickly that he was speaking in hushed tones. Whatever he said filled Julian’s eyes with tears as he nodded. When they broke apart, they shook hands and then Julian turned to me.