Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
She bursts out into laughter. “Yes, you big oaf,” she says against my lips, and I feel the wave of relief pass through me as I take her breath as my own. Finally, she’s mine.
Not that she ever had much of a choice in the matter.
Her hand is shaking as I slide the ring onto her finger. I can’t stop kissing her. Can’t stop breathing in her scent and that of the fresh rain that seeps through.
I never imagined this for myself, only offering myself brief daydreams of someone accepting me so completely. But I should’ve known from the start that Ivy was that woman. I had, but I wasn’t ready to admit it then. Wasn’t ready to be the man she needed. But I’ve since grown to meet her expectations.
A mischievous twinkle dances in her eyes as she says, “Why don’t we have one more prank together?”
CHAPTER 50
Ivy
“Shotgun!” Hawke and I yell together as we gather with our family and friends in our backyard, where an officiant waits underneath a beautiful white arch. Seats with lovely bows tied to them are arranged on the lawn, and an excessive number of flowers are on display.
“Come here,” Anya grits out as she tugs Hawke by the ear and then whispers not so quietly, “I don’t care that you’ve done this, but you didn’t think to tell me first so I could wear better jewelry on the day?”
“Let me have a word with him,” my father is quick to say, and I cringe as Alek Ivanov places his hand on his chest to stop him. He simply shakes his head no. My father looks like he’s going to cry.
“Wow, this is unexpected. But it’s very you, I suppose,” Billie says, giving me a hug and congratulating me.
Ford is with River, the two of them trying to figure out what the fuck is happening. I catch Hawke’s eyes, and he’s grinning like a complete dick. I bite my bottom lip, silently congratulating us on our mischievous lie.
We’d told everyone we were having a barbeque, and everyone was expected to attend. What they weren’t expecting was me to be wearing a wedding dress and Hawke wearing a suit. Which, might I add, he looks ridiculously handsome in.
“I thought you were going to elope,” Hope says, giving me a hug. I love my friends dearly, but the person I need to creep over to is my father, whose blue eyes are scanning the area, most likely for the closest weapon.
My mother tries to reassure him by patting him on the chest as she whispers to him. Neither of them has noticed I’m behind them, and I catch their conversation.
“He didn’t even ask for my permission,” Dad growls in complaint.
“You gave him your permission when you bet a sixteen-year-old he couldn’t steal your daughter’s heart,” Mom reminds him.
My heart falters. Did I hear that right?
“Little shit,” Dad grumbles as he spots me.
“What did you just say?” I ask quietly. My mother turns to me and pulls me in for a hug. At that moment, Hawke stops at my side, and I look at him.
“Did you two have a bet about me?” I ask, unsure how I should feel about it or what it was even for.
My father curses as he looks at the sky, the muscle in his neck bulging.
“Fuck yeah, we did. And he lost,” Hawke says proudly.
“Okay, I didn’t so much as lose…” Dad begins.
“Outright lost. I told you I’d marry your daughter one day. Welcome to the wedding, Pops,” Hawke says, bringing him in for a bear hug that he’s clearly not excited about. My eyebrows pinch together, and my mother shakes her head.
Hawke then turns to me, grabbing my hands with a shit-eating grin. “The first time I saw you, we were at Uncle Alek’s house. I was only sixteen then. I didn’t know who Will was, but when you walked in, I knew immediately you were the girl I was going to marry.”
“Little shit had the nerve to say it right beside me. Couldn’t even keep it to himself,” Dad adds, recalling events. “I told him a girl like you would be too good for him.”
“So I said, ‘Wanna make a bet?’” Hawke smirks.
My father is shaking his head.
“This is why you never liked Hawke,” I say, finally getting it, and then look at my mother, who is smirking. “And you always loved him.”
“I always had a feeling about you two,” she says smugly. “But I wanted you to have some fun before you settled down, of course. Nobody wants to settle for the same old dick unless it’s exceptional.”
My father clears his throat and shoots her a pointed look as he says, “Way to kick a man while he’s already down.” She just laughs.
“Wait. So what do you lose?” I ask my father, and he turns a shade paler as he glares at Hawke again, who can’t wipe the smirk off his face. It’s so strange to see my father back out of any kind of bet.