“Aiden,” I say, stopping to compose myself, then repeating the words he said when he asked me to marry him. “You and I are like a promise. A wish. Proof that luck and fate bring people together. Proof that true love can survive the kiln. I promise to be patient, to continue to build a strong foundation with you, and to live a life unscripted.”
His green eyes lock with mine, pulling them in with those tractor beams of his, and making me feel like we’re the only two people on the planet.
“Keatyn,” he says, “I promise to never pretend punch your head, to watch a million sunsets with you, to love you with everything I am, and to share our love that is utterly, breathtakingly beautiful.”
We exchange rings, and the officiant declares us husband and wife.
“I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Aiden Arrington.”
After we make our way down the aisle, Aiden and I lead the processional down to the cocktail hour on the brick terrace. Once everyone has gathered, we’re pulled aside to go back to the altar to take some photos. I definitely want some as the sun is starting to set.
“You know the tree with our initials carved into it?” he asks me in between smiling for the camera.
“Yeah.”
“On our way down to the reception, we need to stop and carve our wedding date in it.”
“I love that idea, Aiden.”
“So do I get to see these boots?”
“Of course, they’re amazing. Like the ribbons in the trees, they are pretty much the story of us. My grandparents had them made.”
I pull the skirt of my dress up and show off the boots.
“Wow. They thought of everything. The boots are incredible, just like my wife.”
“Your wife. That sounds so cool.”
He kisses me. “That’s because it is. I realized when I saw you coming down the aisle in a dress with golden embroidery that our wedding was like your dream.”
“Yeah, I had such a clear vision of marrying you that day. I couldn’t imagine my wedding any other way.”
“Well, when you have an epic love story like ours, you had to know everything would turn out perfectly.”
“Thanks to Ariela for bringing my vision to life and to Knox. Because of him we didn’t have to worry about the paparazzi. By the time we do the press release, we’ll be somewhere on our honeymoon. Where are we going again?”
“I haven’t told you yet.”
“Just a hint, please.”
“We’re not staying in one location. We’ll be moving around.”
“Oh,” I say, a little disappointed. “I was kind of looking forward to checking in somewhere and relaxing.”
“Do you trust me?” he asks, taking my hand.
“Of course, I do.”
“Then let’s go celebrate.”
“I have something I want to give you first,” I tell him. “Come in the house for a sec.”
We sneak into our bedroom where I have a wrapped present sitting on the bed.
“What is this?”
“Something I’ve been saving for this day for a really long time.”
He rips open the wrapping revealing the bowl I made in ceramics class at Eastbrooke.
“Our love survived the kiln,” he says.
“It sure did,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him.
Shelby’s Bungalow - Sunset Boulevard
SHELBY
Although I had fun going to Bam’s room with him last night, he left town with nothing more than a promise to call me when he comes back.
Needless to say, I’m not holding my breath. Guys always say that.
Whatever, I’m bored, and Riley has been gone for long enough. It’s time for me to put an end to whatever is going on with my competition and get him back here where he belongs.
While I was lying by the pool and sipping champagne this afternoon, I had a brilliant revelation about Riley. Although he can be swayed by sex, I seem to get what I want more when I appeal to his emotional side.
And that will be the way to get him to marry me—by appealing to his heart.
Now, what can I do to guarantee that Riley hops on that pretty plane of his and gets his ass back to me as fast as he can?
I smile to myself when I come up with the perfect answer.
Asher Vineyards — Wedding
KNOX
I’m dancing with Keatyn under the twinkle lights of her reception when I notice a pretty girl with an amazing rack wandering off the dance floor toward the bar.
“Who’s the chick in the red dress?”
“That’s my friend, Katie. We were on dance team together in high school.”
“How is it that I’ve never met her?”
“I don’t know.”
“What does she do? And who’s the guy with her, her little brother?”
“No, that’s her date,” she says with a chuckle.
“She run a daycare?” I quip.
“No, but she does tend to date younger guys. She’s a teacher.”
“I bet she could teach me a thing or two.”
“Knox!” Keatyn exclaims and gives me a playful slap on the forearm.
“Is she normal?”
“As in not crazy? Yes, she is. In fact, she’s been dying to meet you. She calls you Foxy Knoxy.”
“You’ve been holding out on me?”
“You were in a relationship with makeup girl and then were dating Jennifer.”
“That’s over.”
“I heard. Thank you for handling it well.”
“She’s been flirting with your friend, Troy.”