Page 114 of All Tied Down

So, we didn’t fight him.

“Yes?”

“Are you ready? It’s time.”

My stomach flips like a swarm of butterflies have suddenly erupted, the feeling so ridiculous because Garrett and I are already married.

So why am I nervous?

“I’m ready,” I tell him and he smiles, the look filled with adoration that has me blinking back tears. I’m still Emerson Fucking Andrews—I’m just a little softer these days.

But only for the people I love.

“You are the perfect bride,” he says before clearing his throat, “and now I need you to do the perfect walk and smile.”

“Bossy,” I tease and he rolls his eyes.

“If I don’t get to plan my own wedding, you can at least let me be a bridezilla for yours.”

“Theo—”

“Nope.” He holds up his free hand. “Today is about you and lace and your rock star husband—and a lifetime of happiness because I love you both and I’m honored that you let me do all of this for you.”

Taking a step toward him, I cup his face in my hands. “We love you so much and we’re the ones honored to have you care enough to do this.” I press a kiss to his forehead and pull away, brushing my thumb over the spot even though my lipstick is smudge proof.

Much to Garrett’s dismay.

Doesn’t stop him from trying though.

“Stop that,” he hisses, moving out of my hold to fan his face with the clipboard as he stares at the ceiling and blinks rapidly.

“Let’s go before they think we got lost,” my father jokes, as Theo straightens and peeks his head out the door, motioning for the band to start.

Garrett’s band.

But instead of him on the microphone, it’s Maverick’s sister Henley, her sultry voice crooning the words to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as sung by Elvis.

It’s perfect.

Just like the man waiting for me at the end of the rolled-out white carpet in our backyard that’s wildly more extravagant than either of us would have preferred.

But it fits.

Because we can do it all—fancy and cozy and everything in between.

Just as long as we’re together.

EPILOGUE

EMERSON

6 YEARS LATER

The roar of the crowd is deafening as Ender plays the opening chords, the energy unlike anything I’ve seen at one of Garrett’s shows. Maybe it’s because this is their first tour in more than six years with their new lead guitarist—the same one Garrett and I had seen play the night we’d gone to Gin & Porter.

Or maybe it’s because they know this show is different.

Because he’s different.