Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“What you want.”
I nod. “And that’s you.”
The thunder cracks above us again, and Ben slides the ring on my finger, cups my face in his hands, and kisses me like the hero he is.
And for the final camera shot in our movie, I kiss him back.
Roll credits.
Epilogue—Almost One Year Later
There are a thousand people in the hotel suite, and I have no clue what at least half of them are doing. How did this wedding get so complicated? I just needed a dress and a ring. Maybe some flowers. Things have gotten a little out of hand. None of it is my doing. Ben and I met with the wedding planner, and every time she suggested something, Ben said yes to it. And she suggested a lot of things.
Even though I’d have been happy to go a different, much simpler route, I kind of like that Ben’s so completely into it. Strike that. I love that he’s so completely into it. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have gone along with our ever-expanding plans, and Ben wouldn’t have wanted me to. Who’d have thought my haughty Brit would turn to mush so easily?
I smile at myself in the mirror, and Meera, the makeup artist, pauses in a silent admonishment. I drop my smile.
“Nearly done,” she says.
“Then it’s my turn,” Melanie says. “And I’m going to take until three days after the wedding is over because of this.” Yet again, she points to a zit on her forehead. “Do you have prosthetics? Like, could you put a layer of rubber over it to cover it up? Or maybe we should lean into it and make a feature of it?”
Meera laughs as my phone goes off.
It’s Ben.
Meera and Melanie continue to talk about her zit, and I send up a silent prayer that she doesn’t end up convincing Meera to cover it up with a picture of Captain America or something. I’m not concerned with a fancy wedding, but I’d really like a good picture of me, Melanie, and Ben.
“Are we allowed to speak?” I ask as I pick up the call.
“We’re allowed to do whatever we want. It’s our wedding.” Ben is steadfast in his independence and equally committed to me having my independence. That doesn’t mean he won’t stand in front of a bus for me; I know he would. And I for him. I love him wildly. I love him fiercely.
I’ll love him forever.
Life feels so different from what it was before Ben. It feels like the sun shines a little brighter because I have my biggest champion right next to me. The past hasn’t been buried, but has been left in the past.
The door to the suite swings open, and my dad appears, followed by three people carrying flowers.
Dad’s already got his boutonniere. But there’s my bouquet, plus Melanie’s and Elizabeth’s. Nick’s wife has become one of my closest friends. She’s really good at translating American to British and vice versa—a much-needed skill I’m happy to take advantage of. Thanks to her, I don’t use the term “fanny pack” anymore.
“How is everything going down there?” I ask Ben.
“All that’s missing is you.”
My heart inches higher in my chest. “I miss you.”
“Same.”
“After today you get to have me forever, so there’s that.”
I can hear his smile at the end of the line. I get these calls every day. He doesn’t call to say anything in particular, just to hear my voice. Just to connect. These little moments have become the best parts of my day. The way he can’t go more than a few hours before checking in is one of my favorite things about him. That and his nice ass.
“The duke gave me some written directions to our honeymoon destination.”
“Google Maps doesn’t work?” I ask.
“Apparently not. The route is through private land.”
Scotland might not be the first choice of honeymoon for a lot of married couples, but when the duke and duchess offered their place there for our use, Ben and I were thrilled. I can’t think of anything better than being in the middle of nowhere with Ben, wrapped up in a tartan blanket in front of a roaring fire, which is what I’m told we’ll have to do to keep warm in August in Scotland.
“And the duchess sends her love,” he adds.
If it hadn’t been for the duke and duchess, Ben and I wouldn’t be about to get married. We’ve got a lot to thank them for. The duchess thinks our love story should be turned into a movie. I’m not sure the silver screen could capture how magical it is, being with Ben. And who would play him? Anyone, including Daniel de Luca, would seem like a poor second next to my soon-to-be husband.
“I can’t wait to see everyone as I walk down the aisle,” I reply. “I’m excited.”