“The rings?” the officiant requested.
Ollie stepped forward, and in his hands were two tortoises. One had a pale blue ribbon around the shell, the other had a black ribbon. Rings were secured to both. I had no idea where he had the turtles the entire time, and God only knew with Ollie, so I didn’t want to give that too much thought.
“Oh my Lord,” I murmured, grinning.
Nick chuckled.
“I want turtles at my wedding,” Roxy whispered to Reece.
Someone, I’m assuming him, choked.
Gasps and giggles gave way to laughter as Ollie lifted the tortoises and then walked them over to where Cam and Avery stood. They couldn’t keep a straight face as they retrieved the rings amidst laughter, and then Ollie returned to where the groomsmen stood. He’d bent, placing the tortoises into something I couldn’t see. Then he wheeled back around and gave a flourished bow. On the other side of him, Brit rolled her eyes.
Cam’s hand shook as he slid the simple band onto her finger. “Will you spend forever with me?”
Avery’s voice trembled as she spoke, sliding the ring onto Cam’s finger. “I will spend forever with you.”
Tears filled my eyes, and I looked over at Nick. Our gazes collided and held as a tear snuck free. Without saying a word, he smoothed his thumb under my eye, chasing the tear away, just like he had chased away all the pain and guilt, and opened a future I hadn’t necessarily planned for but eagerly anticipated.
The officiant was speaking again, but I didn’t hear the words. I barely registered the cheers as Nick lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me softly, and in that kiss were all the words I had so desperately wanted him to speak all those months ago.
Tell me that you still want to be here.
Tell me that you still see a future for us.
Tell me that you love me.
Nick had spoken the words before, many times in the last couple of months, but they were also promised in that kiss, and that promise spelled forever.
About the Author
JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT (also known as J. LYNN) is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Wait for You and the Young Adult Lux and Covenant series, among other books. She writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. She is published with Entangled Teen and Brazen, SHP, Disney/Hyperion, and Harlequin Teen. You can find her on Twitter @JLArmentrout or at her website, www.jenniferarmentrout.com.
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