His smile flickered.
“I promise to never let anyone make you feel like a prize when you’re the whole damn point. I promise to fight for you, but also to let you fight for yourself, because you’re terrifying and frankly better at it.”
His hands tightened around mine.
“And I promise, Texas, that when midnight comes—any midnight—I’m staying.”
My tears fell then.
No stopping them.
No pretending.
Drew reached up and wiped one away with his thumb.
Then his grin came back, crooked and wet and gorgeous.
“Also, I promise not to invite our parents to the real reception unless there is security, alcohol, and at least three exits.”
The chapel erupted.
Even Stella laughed.
Vampire Elvis nodded solemnly. “Wise man.”
I pointed at Drew. “My turn.”
He grinned. “Destroy me.”
I turned toward him, heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe.
“I wanted the wrong thing before you,” I said.
Drew’s face softened.
“I wanted a crown. A story. Proof. I wanted to be chosen because I thought being chosen meant I was safe.” I looked down at our hands, at the ring moving from his right hand soon to his left. “Then you showed up loud, annoying, barefoot, smelling like stolen baby-powder deodorant, and somehow you became the safest thing I’d ever known.”
Jace whispered loudly, “Baby powder?”
Dante hissed, “Shut up.”
I kept my eyes on Drew.
“I promise to stop pretending I’m fine when I’m not.”
His mouth curved.
“I promise to stop messing with the alphabetical order of your drugstore products.”
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“And to respect the sacred separation of towels, darks, lights, and workout gear.”
“Vows are serious, Texas.”
“I promise to always steal your fries but never your peace.”
His face changed at that.
