“I could keep them at my house and in the vehicle sheds.It’s not like I’m moving off the ranch.”
“We can live at your house, at least some of the time,” she says.“But if you think I’m doing your laundry, you’ve got another thing coming.Ditto cooking.I hate to cook and I suck at it.I’ll do the dusting, the bathrooms, and floors, but I’m not touching the kitchen or the laundry.Deal?”
“You drive a hard bargain, but it’s a deal.”
We reach over the center console to bump fists.“And, Summer, I have a cleaning lady, as you’re well aware.And if I’m not eating out, then I’m eating at Finn and Emma’s or Dad’s.But you already know that since you’re usually sitting across the table from me, mooching off them, too.”
“Mooching is an unpleasant word.And you don’t pay me enough for a cleaning lady.”She gasps and stares at me.“Sizzling hot fuckballs!I just realized that I’ll be rich!”
“Very rich.”
“Am I going to sign one of those things, you know, where I promise not to steal your money?”
I laugh.“A prenup isn’t necessary.”
“Not smart, Declan.”She wags her finger at me.“Most marriages don’t last these days.I could take you for all that you’re worth.”
“Our marriage will last, unless you don’t want it to.And if you want out, you can take anything you want from me.I won’t fight you.”
“Not smart.You should protect yourself.I worry about you.What if you were marrying someone else, a woman who had her eyes on your fat wallet?”
I grab her hand.“But I’m not marrying anyone else.I’m marrying you.And I know you would never hurt me.”
I’m far more worried about her protection, though I don’t tell her that.The moment she marries me, she automatically signs up for the full MacLaine Legacy protection plan—safety, belonging, health, wealth, property, love, happiness, adventure, laughter—all hers whether she knows about it or not.
I can’t even imagine how royally hacked off she’d be if I told her that’s how I see it.She’d hate to learn that I think she needs any kind of protecting.
“It’s a dumb move, that’s all I’m sayin’.”
“I’ll take my chances.”I laugh at the thought of Summer trying to take advantage of me.I can’t even picture it.She’s as honest a person as I’ve ever known.It’s part of why I love her so much.
I love her.
Of course, I do.I’ve loved her since the moment I set eyes on her.I already know this, but I’ve been saying it over and over to myself the last twenty-four hours.I wonder if it’s because I want to find the right words so that I can tellherthat I love her.
Maybe it won’t feel completely real to me if she doesn’t know.And if she hasn’t told me she loves me, too.
I finish off my burger, feeling myself relax into the idea of marrying her.It’s not a traditional way to go about things, but we’re not exactly the most traditional of people.
I’m so done with fucking around.I’ve felt it in my gut for a long time now.
One meaningless hookup after another has left me hollow inside, and supremely unsatisfied.Because all the while, I only wanted the one woman I couldn’t quite reach.There’s only ever been one who could scratch my itch.
And I’ve got her now.
I park in a nearby lot, and we walk the rest of the way to the Mariah Carey Chapel of Love.I look up at the pink neon sign.“I’m getting a wicked case of déjà vu.”
“You should.It’s not even been twenty-four hours since we were here last.Beyoncé better be on duty again tonight, because if we’re gonna to do this, it’s only right that she does the honors.”
We step inside and I immediately smack my forehead into a hanging decoration.I swat it away, then look up to see that I’ve sent cupid spinning.
The inside is jogging my memory, but it’s much bigger than I remember.Granted, my perception of space, time, and reality were a little wonky last night.I look around and see seven individual wedding rooms, each named for a pop star.We head for the Beyoncé room, but it’s empty.
“May I help you?”We turn to see Beyoncé herself exit the employees-only door and come to the desk.Her long blond hair flows.She’s wearing a huge white cowboy hat, white cowboy boots, a red-white-and-blue Western dress shirt and matching pants, and a giant silver belt buckle.
A shit-ton of white fringe sways from her outer arms and the outseam of her pants.
When she sees us, her face lights up.“Oh, it’syoutwo!I’m so glad you came back to pick up your rings.I was going to have to start calling you if I didn’t see you by tomorrow.You’d be surprised how many couples stumble out of here without even picking up their marriage certificate.”
