Carrie's POV

I'm checking my reflection in the mirror, and I can honestly say that for once I'm actually tempted to take a selfie. The girl at the M.A.C counter did a masterful job with my make up, and my daring attempt to copy an ambitious updo hairstyle from Pinterest isn't a complete fail. Plus, I'm officially in love with this lavender BCBG dress I got on sale. It's long sleeved, and not too short, but its lower back cutout goes all the way down to the small of my back.

Ordinarily, I'm not a vain person, and don't care about high fashion, but I must admit that having a reason to get all glammed up once in awhile, and be super girly, is actually kind of fun.

Everything is on point for Leona's wedding, and Tyler should be here in a few minutes to pick me up.

I slip on a pair of high heels, grab my clutch, and assess myself once more. Hope Tyler likes what he sees, then I catch myself smiling. When hasn't he liked what I look like? He's seen me bum around in sweats and an old t-shirt, with no makeup on, and my hair in a tangled nest, and dubbed me "sex goddess." He's seen me without a stitch of clothing on, and I'd never felt more beautiful. I suppose beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. 

Tyler and I have been seeing each other for a couple of months now, and I've never felt more cherished and cared for. He's very attentive, sweet, and caring. His possessive streak can get a little out of hand, but I do my best to allay his often ungrounded fears. I mean, as flattering as it is to believe that most guys who come in contact with me just want to get in my pants, I have to remind him that that's not actually reality.

Yes, I understand that Tyler's been burnt in the past, and it seems to have left a permanent scar of betrayal on his heart, but I hope that he trusts me enough with his heart to heal it.

The doorbell rings, and I rush to buzz him in. Moments later, Tyler walks through the door.

"Holy hell," he says, as he stops dead in his tracks, and rakes his green eyes up and down my body. "You look...incredible."

"Thanks, babe," I say, like it's no big deal, and strut...yes, I actually strut toward him.

"If you want to make it out of here on time you better not tease me with that look," he warns me.

"Whatever do you mean?" I ask innocently, pressing my body against him.

Tyler takes my hand and slides it downward, to press the front of his slacks.

"Oh," I smile, feeling his hardness. "Doesn't take much, does it?"

"Not when I'm looking at you," he says, and kisses the top of my head.

"You look quite dapper yourself," I compliment, as I take in his tailored suit. He looks as though he just walked off the cover shoot for GQ.

"We're quite the striking pair," he says, and takes out his phone. "I think this moment deserves to be captured."

I lean into Tyler's shoulder, and he kisses my cheek, snapping a photo of us with his phone.

We get into Tyler's car, and end up barely making it on time to Grace Cathedral for the ceremony.

Leona looks absolutely stunning in her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, and sky high Christian Louboutin stilettos. The only reason I know the brands is because she spent the last week at the office talking about little else.

After the traditional vows, and much pomp, we all head to the Ritz Carlton for the reception.

The ballroom looks magnificent, decorated with gorgeous white flower arrangements, and some spectacular light installations. There are probably over 200 guests here, and I recognize only a handful of people from work.

The food is delicious, but it does little to impress Tyler's experienced pallot. Actually, he doesn't seem that impressed with the wedding as a whole. During the exchange of the vows I observed his expression, and while I was feeling kind of emotional at the significant meaning of the spoken words, Tyler's face was completely unmoved. In fact, he seemed to be frowning.

"Are you having a good time?" I enquire, taking another bite of the wedding cake.

"Weddings are not really my thing," he says, and takes a sip of his champagne.

"Why not? I think they're rather romantic."

"Look around, they probably dropped over a hundred grand on this spectacle, and for what? Is it really necessary to throw this lavish display of opulence? I think it's over the top and obnoxious. It's almost as though they're more concerned with impressing people with how wealthy they are instead of focusing on the reason for the occasion."

I consider Tyler's thoughts, and I think I agree, for the most part. It is by far the most elaborate, expensive looking wedding I've ever been to. But I expected nothing less from Leona. She'd never made it a secret that material possessions and financial status were of high importance to her. Of course she was going to go all out for her wedding.

"Well, everyone has different ideas of what would be an ideal wedding. I mean, I definitely would prefer something more low key, and private. What about you?" I ask.

"I've never really thought about it, since it doesn't apply to me," Tyler says, and looks out on the dance floor, where I notice Samuel busting out some pretty embarrassing dance moves. "I don't ever plan on getting married, so it's a non issue."

I stare at him then, and feel my back stiffen. Did I hear him right? "Ever?" I can't help but ask.

Tyler looks me dead in the eyes, and says, "No, never."

I look away, and think of what to say next. I don't know why, but for some reason this news feels as though I've been hit by a truck. How can he say 'never' just like that? After I fold and unfold my napkin several times, I can't contain myself any longer.

"Is there a reason?" I ask, afraid to meet his eyes.

He shrugs. "I just don't think life long commitment is realistic. Just look at the divorce rates, it's pretty sobering, and depressing. Why put yourself through that?"

"So, then, how long do you give us? I mean, what's our expiration date? Because, if you know in advance it's not going to last, I need to prepare myself. Don't want to get blindsided..."

Tyler takes my hand, and looks at me intently. "Carrie, there really isn't a reason to get defensive and fatalistic. I am having a fantastic time with you, and I want us to be together. I don't have a crystal ball, so I can't tell you what the future holds for us, and I don't want to waste time worrying about what might go wrong years down the road. Can't we simply enjoy being together?"

"To be honest, you've caught me a little off guard with this revelation, and I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it," I tell him. Even though I know exactly how I feel about it. I hate it. Not that I expect him to propose to me soon, or even ask me to marry him years from now, but the idea of not believing in marriage as a concept just doesn't compute for me.

I've always dreamt of finding a life long partner to spend my life with. I wasted two years with Jonah, and broke up with him when I realized that he was never going to be that partner. And if I know that Tyler never wants to settle down, then am I wasting my time with him as well? The more I think about this, the more sad I am beginning to feel.

"Excuse me," I say, as I feel tears begin to sting my eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"I just need to use the ladies' room," I tell him, and take off before he can see my distraught expression.

I head toward the bathroom, but I can already see there's a line of women waiting in cue. The other bathroom is on the other side of the ballroom, and I can already guess it probably has the same problem. A bellboy walks past me, and I enquire if there is another bathroom I could use, and he lets me in on a little inside information. Apparently, there's a private restroom nestled by the stairs just one floor below us. I thank him, and take the elevator down.

This floor appears completely quiet and deserted, as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the busy wedding party upstairs. I attempt to open the bathroom door, but it seems locked. Perhaps it's occupied, I think, and stand off to the side, staring out of the large window at the grey evening sky.

I hear some rustling, and a whispering voice come from behind the door, followed by the sound of the lock opening.

Leona emerges from the bathroom, her wedding gown seems a little out of place, as she's adjusting her straps and pulling up her bodice. Then she looks up, and meets my eyes, with a sort of panicked, startled expression.

"C-carrie...W-what are you doing here?" she asks, shifting her eyes back to the bathroom door.

"Oh, I'm just waiting to use the restroom," I explain. "The ones upstairs were all busy, so..."

And just as I'm about to move past her, she actually blocks my way, and puts her hand on my shoulder. "Don't use this one...um...I mean...the flusher doesn't work, and--"

Before she can finish, the restroom door opens, and Kenneth steps out. 

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Author's Note: If you are enjoying Tyler and Carrie's story, it would really mean a lot to me if you took some time to comment about what you think so far. Thank you in advance! xoxo