Whirlwind Read Online Free PDF Page B

completely dirty with a faceless, shameless pen pal and walk away. No regrets, no commitments, and no rejection in the end. Perfect.
     
    But now my pen pal had a face—with a magnificently sculpted chin, inviting lips, and eyes that turned my knees to jelly. All the tasteless, smutty things I’d said to him came back in a rush.
     
    I threw my hand over my eyes, my face redder than Ann’s lipstick, I was certain. Thankfully, Jason had his back to me. Does he know I’m the one who spammed him? Did Mitch rat me out?
     
    No way . Jason would’ve said something if he’d known who I was—made some comment about my tasteless humor. Or was he waiting for me to figure out who he was—seeing how long he could string me along?
     
    No, that didn’t make sense, either. He hadn’t made any attempts to rekindle our email conversation; it’d died a quick death. It couldn’t have meant that much to him.
     
    Now that I knew who he was, the thought of facing Jason again sent nervous stings up my spine. I considered skipping the reception as I fanned myself with my program.
     
    “It is because of your love and your support this bond is being sealed today,” the minister said, pointing randomly at members of the audience. When his finger stopped on me, I slouched in my seat. “Witness now what you have forged.”
     
    Damn it . I’d missed the minister’s entire message with my selfish daydreaming. After one more peek at Jason, I swore to give Mitch and Ann the respect they deserved and fixed my eyes on them.
     
    Mitch straightened up, preparing to recite his vows. With a deep breath, he began. “Ann, the first time I saw you, I was reborn. Everything I am, everything I will be became yours. I promise to love you, care for you, and respect you for the rest of my life. No matter what the future brings, good or bad, laughter or tears, we will face it together. I’m yours forever. This I vow.”
     
    Mitch’s low, steady voice strengthened on the final words, emphasizing his conviction. He’d used the same tone when he told me he proposed to Ann, just weeks after meeting her.
     
    I couldn’t imagine falling for anyone so fast. It took time to fall in love and learn about a person before that feeling of forever kicked in. I’d never made it long enough to sense that permanence; I doubted there was a forever kind of guy for me.
     
    My eyes drifted to Ann, her lips quivering as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her forever, Mitch, reached out with one finger and gently wiped it away before she spoke.
     
    Pressing his hand to her cheek, she took a shaky breath. “Mitch, before I met you I didn’t know what love was. You swept me off my feet and into your heart, and that’s where I found not only love, but my future. Through pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, good and bad, I promise to be by your side, loving you, respecting you, caring for you, forever. This I vow.”
     
    Ann’s words were soft but clear, her eyes locked on his. When she finished, she smiled and cradled Mitch’s cheek, wiping his face with her thumb. He sniffled loudly, and they both laughed, drawing a quiet response from the audience. I blinked a tear away myself, seeing my big friend so moved.
     
    Lifting a single finger, the minister cued the guitarist standing to the side of the altar. The musical interlude gave us all time to savor the depth of the promises the couple had made. Ann’s eyes shined as she whispered to Mitch, and he touched his forehead to hers. Feeling like an intruder into their private moment, my gaze wandered, returning to the dark hair and broad shoulders of the best man. Jason shuffled his feet and tilted his head ever so slightly, as if resisting the urge to turn around. At least that’s what I pretended…
     
    The melody faded, and the bride and groom took a more formal stance, their hands intertwined between them. Jason pulled the ring out of his jacket pocket and placed it on the minister’s Bible, where it