The Marriage License For Me, The Boat For His Regret Chapter 07
Right as the veil was about to blow off, the maid of honor next to her reached out and pressed it back down.
But in that motion, the maid of honor’s face turned toward the crowd.
It was Brynn.
Brynn was Tessa’s best friend.
Nolan’s heart slammed into his throat. His eyes locked onto the bride. Why does she look so familiar? Why did I just, for one second, think that bride was Tessa? That’s insane.
But the weird feeling wouldn’t go away.
Kenna tugged his arm, light and cheerful. “Nolan, look! The lead boat is covered in magnolias. It’s gorgeous.”
The words hit him like a thunderclap.
Tessa’s voice echoed in his head, “Nolan, on our wedding day, I want our skiff covered in magnolias. It’ll be one of a kind.”
His chest caved. No. Absolutely not. There’s no way that bride is Tess.
Nolan forced himself to stay calm. Kept lying to himself.
But his brain started spitting out every detail he’d ignored.
One after another.
The boat christening—her quiet eyes. No tears. No fight.
“An ex shouldn’t be here.”
“Guess I’ll marry someone else then.”
The way she’d handed back the ring with that sincere look.
He’d laughed it off as a manipulation tactic. But what if it wasn’t a tactic?
He couldn’t finish the thought.
He yanked out his phone. Hands shaking, he fumbled to unlock it.
Called Tessa. Voicemail.
His breathing went shallow.
It was spring, but his hands and feet felt ice-cold.
He opened their chat. The last message was his: Tess, keep playing games and I’ll change my mind.
The old Tessa was so stubborn.
If she was hurt, she’d make noise. If she felt ignored, she’d cry. Even when they fought the worst fights, she never would’ve given back that emerald ring. Never would’ve let go so easily.
But the woman at Grandma’s birthday? She was light. Free. No attachment at all.
Kenna kept chattering. “She’s so lucky. A wedding like that…”
Before she finished, the music and firecrackers on the river swelled.
The officiant’s voice boomed over the crowd. “The bride steps onto the wedding skiff.”
“And now, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Cheers and applause exploded from both shores. White ribbons flew everywhere in the wind.
The bride’s veil fluttered up again. Then the groom reached over and slowly, deliberately, lifted it the rest of the way.
A face with bright eyes and a perfect smile—a face Nolan knew better than his own—stared back at him.
It was Tessa. It was really Tessa.
…
Nolan’s mind went completely blank.
All the noise—the cheers, the applause, the drums—vanished.
Dead silence.
All he could see was the figure in the red wedding dress.
Kenna’s shocked voice cut through. “Nolan, isn’t that Tessa?”
“Who is she marrying?”
Nolan’s eyes burned into the couple on the boat.
No.
Then he lunged forward.
Security guards hired by the Mitchell family blocked him.
“Sir, please stay behind the line.”
Nolan’s eyes went bloodshot. He yelled toward the center of the lake. “That’s my girlfriend! Reid, how dare you?”
“Tessa! Have you lost your mind?”
“You can’t marry him!”