Bev:Heard we’re having a little party tonight to celebrate our upcoming nuptials.
Charlie: Yeah, that’s not going to happen.
Bev:Duh, I know, but I have to keep the ‘rents happy.
I sent her a photo of myself in my suit and waited for her response.
Bev:Charlie, what are you doing?
Charlie:What I should have done years ago. I’m marrying Jones today. No one is going to stop us from being together.
Bev:Your father is going to have a fit when he finds out. I kind of can’t wait. Please tell me you’re going to drop this on him tonight.
Charlie: Gotta go. I’m getting married soon. Guess I’ll see you tonight. Make sure you have your phone ready to capture the moment.
I silenced my phone, shoved it into my pocket, and headed into the kitchen. Then I had another thought and quickly ordered some flowers to give to Jones when I saw him later. I would pick them up on the way to the courthouse.
***
I caught sight of Jones before he saw me. Dressed in a perfectly fitted suit that framed his shoulders and a green tie, he looked stunning. His curls bounced with each step, and his smile spread across his face. He was laughing at something Ollie said to him, his eyes nearly closed as he threw his head back. Fuck, he was so perfect.
My chest felt tight. My skin was on fire. Headed my way was the man of my dreams. The boy I had fallen so easily for on the beach that first night we met, full of innocence and curiosity. Jones wanted to marry me. He loved me. And I loved him. We were going to spend the rest of our lives together.
I gripped the plastic package containing the boutonnieres I had gotten for us and watched as he finally noticed me. Jones dashed down the hallway, leaving his friend behind, the sounds of his shoes batting against thelinoleum, and I swooped him up in my arms. He beamed at me before I crushed our mouths together. Who cared about a silly tradition? I was going to kiss this man every single day as long as he’d have me. He tasted like mint toothpaste and forever. A lifetime of happiness awaited us.
“Hi.” Jones blushed as he beamed up at me, nearly blinding me with his bright smile. It was enough to compete with the sun. No, it was bigger than that. I never wanted this feeling to end. The awe, the butterflies in my stomach, the want in my veins. Jones was it for me.
I cupped his jaw, dragging my thumb over the scruff he hadn’t shaved this morning.
“Hi,” I murmured, and because I could, I kissed him again.
His lips were warm and soft against mine as he melted into me. The way his tongue snaked between my lips, his breath hot against my skin, made a low growl escape my throat.
“Missed you,” Jones whispered, his lips curving up into a smile.
I chuckled. “Missed you more.” I helped him back onto his feet. “You ready to be mine forever, Bashful?”
He nodded. “And ever.”
“I need you to say the words. Are you ready to marry me today?” I asked.
His fingers suddenly tangled in the fabric of my dress shirt, and my right hand gripped his left hip.
He ducked his chin before he glanced back up at me. There was fire in his hazel eyes, a spark that suddenly blazed like an inferno. “You have no ideahow ready I am, baby.”
“I love you.” I wanted to shout those words from the rooftop. I wanted to rent out one of those planes that flew over beaches with an advertisement banner and have it read: “Charlie loves Jones”. Cheesy, but I think Jones would like it.
He tucked a wayward curl behind his ear. “I love you, too.”
“That’s good because I’m going to make an honest man out of you today.” I held out the plastic container. “I got you something.”
Jones’s eyes went wide as he stared at the boutonnieres. “You did?”
“Yeah, Bashful. Here.” I popped open the plastic, handed it to him, and then removed one of the boutonnieres. His skin burned pink as I pinned it to his jacket, my fingers shaking slightly. Once it was fastened into the fabric, I gripped the back of his neck. “Perfect.”
Jones smiled and then removed the last one. He neatly pinned it to my jacket, his smile never wavering, and in that moment, I knew I was making the right decision. He reached for my hand and linked our fingers together.
“You two about ready to go get married?” Ollie gave me a quick nod, Kit standing guard at his side.
