BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 33 : Group Hugs

Chapter 33 : Group Hugs

With the golden afterglow of the setting sun still illuminating the horizon, I glanced down at the newly-placed ring on my finger, its sparkle mirrored in Luke's eyes. It was surreal. We were married, and the weight of that reality sent both chills and warmth coursing through my veins.

"Time to share the news," I mused aloud, pulling out my phone to call Sophia, my fingers trembling slightly with a mix of excitement and incredulity.

"Hey, Sophia, you'll never guess what just happened," I gushed the second she picked up, my words stumbling over each other in my haste.

"Whoa, slow down, Emily! Let me put you on speaker; so Sarah can hear"

Sophia suggested, her tone indicating she sensed something extraordinary was coming.

A beat later, she announced, "You're on speaker, Em. Spill!"

Taking a deep breath to contain my bubbling emotions, I blurted out, "You guys, I'm married. Just got hitched. On the beach. To Luke."

The sound that burst from the phone was a cacophony of shrieks, hollers, and what sounded like someone dropping something-likely from shock. "ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU'RE MARRIED?" Maria and Isabella screamed simultaneously.

"In a spontaneous beach ceremony? Emily, the planner extraordinaire, did something spontaneous?" Sophia, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

"I know, right?" I laughed. "It sounds insane even to me, but guys, I can't explain it. Something just pulled me towards this decision. And it feels absolutely right."

Sarah broke in, her voice softer and tinged with sentimental excitement, "Well, Emily, wherever you are, we're bringing the celebration to you. Where should we come?"

"Stay on the beach; we're still here, soaking in the place where we said our vows," I informed them, stealing a glance at Luke, whose eyes were shimmering with anticipation and amusement.

"Prepare to be showered in champagne and love," Sophia declared dramatically before hanging up.

When I relayed the impending celebration to Luke, he curled an eyebrow.

"So, a beach party it is, then?"

I chuckled. "Exactly. But brace yourself; my friends are... effusive."

Before we knew it, animated figures appeared in the twilight, hurtling toward us with gleeful abandon. Sophia, and Sarah came to a skidding halt before enveloping us in frenzied embraces, each one holding a bottle of champagne like a trophy.

Luke's eyes widened in a blend of confusion and amusement as he was suddenly engulfed in a group hug by my friends. His posture stiffened, a comical look of bewilderment crossing his face, as if he'd stumbled into a parallel universe where personal boundaries did not exist.

The sensation was foreign to him-Luke was not the hugging type, especially not group hugs. His social interactions usually stayed within the boundaries of cordial handshakes or respectful nods. My friends were a tactile, expressive bunch, and I could almost see the cultural shockwaves reverberating through him.

"Ah, the classic group hug! We've initiated you now; you're one of us!" Sarah exclaimed, patting him on the back with playful enthusiasm.

"Clearly," Luke managed to say, loosening up a little but still looking as if he'd been ambushed by a cuddly flash mob.

Sarah giggled, catching on to his unease. "Oh, you better get used to it if you're part of this circle now. We're a hugging bunch!"

Sophia added, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "Yeah, consider it an initiation of sorts!

"I see," Luke chuckled, loosening up a bit, his eyes meeting mine. "Well, if it comes with the territory of being with Emily, I suppose I'll have to adapt."

I burst into laughter, unable to contain my amusement at Luke's comical transformation from a poised, aloof man into someone who looked like he'd just been tackled by a pack of enthusiastic puppies.

Coming over to me, he wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned in. "So, you find this whole spectacle amusing, do you?" he whispered, a devilish smile gracing his lips.

"Immensely," I responded, my eyes meeting his.

His eyes twinkled with mischief. "Well, brace yourself. You're in for some 'punishment' later tonight," he whispered, the word dripping with tantalizing promise.

"If it's a punishment from you, I think I'll quite enjoy it," I retorted flirtatiously, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Seizing the moment, he kissed me passionately, as if to seal our playful exchange. Our friends, still hovering nearby with bottles of champagne at the ready, broke into cheers and whoops at the sight.

Sophia, popping the cork on one of the bottles, grinned from ear to ear. "Well, since the 'punishments' are being planned, I say we better get this celebration started."

With that, the champagne flowed, its effervescence matching the mood of our little gathering. Sophia poured the golden liquid into glass flutes, handing one to each of us.

Sarah's glass met mine, her eyes twinkling like mischievous stars in the night sky. "To think, we assumed you were just stepping out for some innocent fun. To the newlyweds-may your journey be as spontaneous and beautiful as this celestial night."

Luke captured my gaze, as if he could see right into the very core of my being. "Thank you, Sarah ."

Sophia lifted her glass with a heartfelt smile that felt like a warm embrace. "To embrace love, in all its unexpected, unpredictable glory."

Luke's glass rose, but his eyes-those soulful windows-stayed locked onto mine. "To serendipitous beginnings and eternal joy."

We all clinked our glasses together, sealing the moment of joy and camaraderie. Then we settled onto the beach, the cool sand beneath us and the evening stars above painting the perfect backdrop to this unlikely, unforgettable day.

As I sat between Luke and my friends, my eyes caught his, still filled with that same sparkle that had drawn me to him in the first place. And in that second, amid the laughter, the champagne, and the love of good friends, I knew that the most unplanned actions could lead to the most perfect moments