Page 66 of About That Rule

“I’m just going to rip the Band-Aid off,” Samantha started the conversation as self-assured as ever. Fuck, how he loved her confidence.

“No, let me,” he jumped in, not wanting her to tell the news on her own.

She shook her head no. “I’ve got tonight—you’ve got tomorrow.”

“Gee, thanks,” he deadpanned, even though that had been his plan all along. He would rather any negative reaction be given to him, not his Samantha. He figured the parents would take the news a tad differently than their closest friends.

“What’s going on?” Gabriella asked.

Nate and Samantha looked at each other and giggled.

“Oh shit,” Jason said loudly, as if he’d put two and two together before everyone else. “Another one bites the dust.”

Noah didn’t catch on. “Bites the dust. What are you talking about?”

Nate whispered in Samantha’s ear. “Are you sure you want to tell them now?”

“Shush,” she said, gripping his hand tightly.

“Why are you two whispering?” Elena asked.

They were all together. Well…except Oliver, but they hadn’t seen him in years. It was time to tell the news.

“Nate and I got married in Vegas,” Samantha started to share their love story with their friends, but she was interrupted as everyone screamed with excitement and applauded their union.

“Holy shit, sis.” Noah came over and hugged her. “I never thought you’d ever get married, let alone to your partner in crime.”

“That’s probably why it works.” Elena shoved him out of the way so she could have her turn to hug them.

Gabriella was still in shock. “When did this happen?”

“The night your brother and Charlotte announced they got married,” Samantha admitted with a blush. “Long story short, we had to play we were married before a judge would grant us an annulment.”

“Which we sucked at. We made rules to follow, but they went out the window once we started having sex,” Nate added.

“Dude, my sister,” Noah groaned.

Jason elbowed Noah. “How do you think I feel whenever Rafe brings up my sister?”

“Rafe, I told you to stop that.” Charlotte pointed at her husband, but he only shrugged, a smile on his face. It didn’t seem like he cared one way or the other.

“Anyway, we didn’t get the annulment,” Samantha told them.

“Thank fuck for that,” Nate said, kissing her temple.

“And we’re in love and married!” Samantha screeched with happiness.

All their friends were happy for them, buying shots and celebrating their love. It was when Rafe said, “I think if anyone else gets surprise married in Vegas, the parents are going to lose it.”

Another reminder they still had to share the news with the people who could crush it. Nate kissed Samantha. He’d worry about that tomorrow.

IN THE MORNING, Nate and Samantha woke up in bed together. She loved having him so close to her and couldn’t wait until it was a daily occurrence. The only rain on her parade was finally confiding in her parents she was married. Or, rather, Nate telling everyone.

Optimistically, she believed everyone would be thrilled, just like their friends had been last night.

But she had a feeling her parents weren’t going to love that she didn’t have a traditional wedding.

“Do you need Advil?” Nate asked as he walked into the bathroom in nothing but boxer-briefs. She made sure she wasn’t drooling. She loved checking out Nate. When he wore minimal clothing was just a bonus. “That last round of shots Jason made us take is giving me a headache.”