My sister rushes over, squealing and grabbing my hand to examine the ring. My mother's right behind her, tears streaming down her face, and my father stands off to the side looking equalparts stunned and resigned. Detective Hargrove is watching from across the room with a scowl on his face, but I don't care.
I've never been happier.
Rafe wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close, and I lean into him, feeling the solid warmth of his body against mine. This is my life now. This is the choice I made, and I don't regret a single second of it.
"When do you want to get married?" I ask.
"As soon as possible. I'm not giving you time to change your mind."
"I'm not gonna change my mind."
"Good, because I'm not letting you go."
The DJ starts playing another slow song, and Rafe leads me back onto the dance floor. We sway together, my head resting against his chest, and I toy with the ring on my finger.
"I love you," I say.
"I love you too."
We dance until the song ends, and then another one starts, and we keep dancing. Around us, the reception continues. People laugh and drink and celebrate my sister's marriage, but all I can think about is the man holding me in his arms.
I'm marrying him. And I'm never looking back.
