“I’m never stubborn,” I mutter, and the audience laughs.
“—and I will cherish you until my last breath.” His gaze holds mine. “You’re my home, Josie. The only one that’s ever felt real.”
I take a shaky breath. It’s my turn.
“Boone.” I have to stop and compose myself. “I came to Stoneheart looking for boring. Quiet. A life where nothing would ever hurt me again.” I laugh. “Instead, I found you.”
His hands tighten on mine.
“You are the least boring person I’ve ever met. You’re infuriating and protective, and so goddamn stubborn it makes me want to scream sometimes. You make decisions without consulting anyone, you think you always know best, and you have a pathological inability to delegate!”
“This is supposed to be complimentary,” he murmurs as our friends and family roar with laughter.
“I’m getting there.” I smile. “You’re also the kindest man I’ve ever known. The most loyal. The most fiercely loving, even when you pretend you’re not. You make me feel safe in a way I haven’t felt since I was a child. You make me feel seen for exactly who I am.”
I step closer, until there’s barely any space between us.
“I didn’t come to Stoneheart looking for love. But I found it anyway. I found you, and your crazy family, and this life that’s nothing like what I planned but everything I didn’t know I needed.” I reach up, cupping his face. “I love you, Boone Armstrong. All of you. I love you, and I choose you, and I will keep choosing you every single day for the rest of our lives.”
Elvis clears his throat. “Well, now. That was... that was beautiful.” He dabs at his eyes with a sequined sleeve. “The rings?”
Lee steps forward, producing two simple gold bands from his pocket. He hands them to Elvis with a grin.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada and the King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis proclaims, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He strikes another pose. “You may kiss the bride, baby.”
Stone doesn’t need to be told twice.
He kisses me like we’re alone, like there aren’t a truckload of people watching, like the rest of the world has simply ceased to exist. His hands cup my face, his mouth claiming mine with a tenderness that makes my knees weak.
When we finally break apart, the chapel has erupted in cheers.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Elvis announces over the noise, “may I present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong!”
Ginger is openly sobbing now, Tank awkwardly patting her shoulder. Lee is grinning so wide it looks like it hurts. Emma is recording everything on her phone, tears streaming down her face. I even catch Isabel smiling.
Elvis breaks into song, crooning a shockingly excellent rendition of Love Me Tender as we walk down the aisle.
“We did it,” I whisper to Stone.
“We did. Any regrets?”
“Ask me in fifty years.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“It’s a promise.” I rise on my toes to kiss him again. “Now come on, husband. I believe there’s a honeymoon suite with our name on it.”
“Best wedding ever,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Just wait until you see what I’m wearing under this dress.”
His eyes darken. “Josie...”
“The answer is nothing.” I wink. “Absolutely nothing.”
He grabs my hand and practically drags me toward the exit.
STONE
