┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓

Kiss

┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛

Chapter 23: Kiss (Delilah's POV)

We were sitting in the car, driving to the church. It's the day, the big day. The wedding day. I can't believe we're already getting married, good God! 

This entire week, I kept thinking that we'd get much closer, I thought we'd be somewhat forced to. We have to pull this wedding off, it has to look believable. But throughout this week, we focused on anything but putting on an act. We had fun, we got to know each other a bit better, we kissed a lot more, and I started sleeping in his room every night. He was dead set on not letting me move back to the guest room, and the cracked mirror scared me enough not to ask again. 

Last night, Spencer asked me a question I couldn't find the answer to. "Do you think we could love each other?" 

I had wanted to say yes, but knowing that he still hesitated when it came to trusting me made me doubt it. He has every right to doubt me and I hold nothing against him for doing just that. I know it's fair, but that doesn't mean it can't hurt. I might have been a little late, but I tried doing things as right as I could, I told him. I just hope he can trust me someday. 

"Delilah." 

I turned to him, looking away from the car window. We booked the church and plan to get ready there since the bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other until the wedding once they get ready. "Hmm?" 

"I asked you something last night. You didn't answer me." I stared at him and he asked again, "Do you think we could love each other?" 

"You know what I think, Spencer? I think around you, people feel safe. And I think a lot of people have a crush on you, me included." 

He smiled in amusement, listening intently. 

"You gave me the chance to leave. I could have moved on, but I'd rather be with you." 

"It must hurt then." 

I blinked in confusion. "What?" 

"The fact that I don't trust you." 

I nodded slowly, glancing out the window. "It hurts, but you're not wrong. You have your reasons, very valid reasons. I'm not saying it doesn't hurt, I'm saying the hurt is worth the good I'm able to do for you." 

"You're sacrificing a lot, Delilah," he pointed out. 

"Yeah, but if we don't sacrifice for love, then it isn't love, is it?" 

"And you're in love with me, are you?" 

I laughed sardonically, rolling my eyes. "No," I deadpanned. 

"Not yet?" He lifted a brow. 

I shook my head, gazing out the window. "Not yet," I whispered to myself, picking at my cuticles. 

He clicked his tongue before grabbing my hands in one. "Don't worry," he murmured. "We'll be just fine." 

♡♡♡

I sat in the chair in front of the mirror while Willow volunteered to do my hair. "Ten minutes," I warned. That's all the time we have left. 

"Don't stress me out," she scolded, reaching around me and grabbing the white ribbon, tying it around my half-up ponytail that she made after curling my hair. 

I hated the rollers, they made my head hurt and my scalp itchy. But I can't lie, my hair looks gorgeous. I smiled, watching her through the mirror. "How come you're here and helping? I thought you were against this marriage." 

She scoffed, "I'm against this marriage, yes. But I'm not missing my best friend's wedding, come on." She shrugged, fixing the ribbon. "And I like doing your hair. It's long." Her hair flows down to her chest, mine goes down to my hips. She always talks about how jealous she is of my hair, but she styles my hair for nearly every fancy event because I can't be bothered to do it myself. She patted my shoulders. "Done. Let's go. Who's walking you down the aisle?" 

"Uncle Felix," I replied, grabbing the bouquet of pink, purple, and yellow tulips. I couldn't stand the thought of carrying a white bouquet, god knows why. It just didn't fit right. 

"Has Spencer seen your wedding dress?" She lifted her brows. 

I shook my head. 

She blinked in surprise, "Really? I thought he would choose it." 

"He's not a dick, Willow," I whined, staring at her. 

"Why not? Does he even treat you well?" She fixed her hair. 

"Willow," I said sternly. "Stop, please. I like him." 

She froze up. "You... do?" 

I nodded. "I actually do. So, please stop talking about him if that's all you're going to say. It's my wedding day," I drawled out, linking my arm with hers, both of us standing beside each other and looking at our reflections in the mirror. "But answer me this," I smiled, looking at her. "When's your wedding day?" I teased. 

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Never. Do you remember the bakery boy?" 

I nodded, humming. 

"Turns out he has a fetish for—" 

"Do not tell me!" I exclaimed, staring at her wide-eyed. "Stop talking." 

She chuckled as there was a knock on the door before it swung open, revealing Julian. "Hi, ladies," he smiled. "Everything's ready. I'm here to take Willow." 

Willow's eyes widened as she blinked. "Me?" She pointed at herself. 

I chuckled awkwardly, giving her a soft push. "Yes, you, dummy," I laughed. "You're the bridesmaid, remember?" 

"S-so?" She stammered. 

I sighed, resisting an eye roll. "You're the bridesmaid, he's the groomsman, you walk in together, Willow!" I said through gritted teeth. 

"Ah, yeah. Of course. Um, good luck," she chipped before walking over to Julian. 

He watched her in amusement. "Did you forget you're the bridesmaid?" 

"Huh? No," she shook her head. "I just forgot I had to walk with you." 

He blinked in confusion. 

"That's not meant to be rude, I'm sorry, really. I just forgot. Never mind," she rambled. 

I snorted as they walked away, closing the door behind them. I adjusted my dress and fixed the dress. 

A moment later, my uncle knocked on the door and came to get me. "Are you ready?" He smiled while I walked over, looping my arm through his. 

I chuckled, nodding. "I'm ready." No, I'm fucking not. 

Once we reached the main church doors, I really felt my blood run cold. I let out a shaky breath, straightening my back as the doors were pulled open. Rather than the traditional 'Here Comes the Bride' we requested simple piano. 

Spencer, whose back was towards me, turned around at the sound of the door opening and looked straight at me as the music finally picked up its pace and rhythm. He looked me up and down, a small smile gracing his lips before he stood sideways, waiting for me. 

I made it over to him, handing my bouquet to Willow as my uncle sat down and then turning to Spencer. "Hi," I whispered while he grabbed both my hands. 

"You look beautiful," he said softly, reassuring me. 

I took in a shaky, nervous breath and got a hand squeeze in return. I looked at him and he blinked slowly, nodding before stepping a bit closer. I heard whispers erupt but he ignored them all, so I tried my best to do the same. 

Then we went from, "We are gathered here today..." to "Please share your vows. Spencer, you first." 

I'm curious, I have no idea what they are. I would try peeking at them whenever I spotted him writing them down, but he never let me see it. I didn't let him see mine either, it's fair enough. I wonder if he memorized them. He didn't take out a paper, so I suppose he did. 

"Delilah," he began. "We're making a lot of promises to each other today. Some, however, are more important than others." 

I watched him carefully, smiling ever so slightly. He sighed and then took a step forward, his chest brushing against mine. People started whispering again while I stared up at him, wide-eyed and confused. "What are you doing?" I whispered. 

"What my mum's family always did," he answered in a whisper. He tugged the white ribbon out of my hair and took a step back. I glanced at the crowd, noticing how his father stiffened instantly. Spencer turned us, so our back was completely to the crows and both of us faced the priest. He locked his hand in mine and then tied the ribbon around our wrists using one hand, binding them together. How did he do that one hand? And why is he doing that? 

"I promise to remember that neither one of us is perfect. But I will strive to remind myself of the ways we are perfect for each other. I vow to love all of you," he recited while tying the ribbon perfectly into a bow. "The first time I saw you, I didn't think anything of you, truth be told. What I didn't know was how you'd become anything but. I promise to love you, Delilah. I promise to keep you safe. I'll take your problems as my own, fight with you and for you against anything and everything. I'll protect you. And I promise to kill anyone who hurts you or even tries to do so." 

I stared at him silently as the priest blessed our locked hands and bound wrists. 

He gave me a wink while people continued whispering. This is about his father, of course, it is. He leaned into my ear, his lips brushing against it as he whispered, "Anyone. Even my father." 

"Delilah, now your vows," the priest instructed. 

I watched Spencer in somewhat disbelief before I started talking, realizing that I remembered them. Until last night, I didn't. I thought I'd have to read them from the paper, but I suppose I don't. "I promise to love you, respect you, support you, and above all else, stand beside you at all times," I began quietly. These vows weren't meant for our guests, they're meant for him. 

"I vow to fight by your side and to love all of you. I promise to be there for you and to be truthful, no matter what it is. Through all our years and all that life may bring us, I will love you and have faith in your love for me. I promise to be the perfect wife, as best as I can." I nodded for him to bring his ear to my lips and he did. "And never to kill you. Maybe your father though," I whispered. 

He pulled back, grinning. He chuckled softly before facing the priest. 

"With those vows, the power invested in me, and God's blessings, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Spencer, you may kiss the bride." 

Spencer turned to face me while I did the same. He grabbed my waist with his free hand, his wrist still tied to mine as he mumbled, "Well, what else was I waiting for?" 

I let out a small chuckle before he kissed me, not too long but long enough. We turned and faced everyone else in the room. I caught Spencer exchanging a look with his father who then resorted to glaring at me. I ignored him and turned to Willow. 

I raised my eyebrows at her, so to say "See? Not that bad." 

She nodded begrudgingly. "Not bad at all," she smiled teasingly.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 23

Guys... the next book will also be royalty and it'll be

wait for it

PRINCESS AND BODYGUARD

OMG THAT TROPE *SQUEALS*

anyways, I'm gonna start writing that once we're reaching the end of this book, which isn't right now, so

next chapter: murder

Also, the rings picture <3