Page 106 of Crazy for You

He walked to the edge of the clearing and bent down. When he came back, he had a flower in his hands, one of the red poppies she’d planted there last month. He went down on one knee in front of her, and everything spun out of balance…

“This isn’t how I imagined doing this, but then again nothing between us has ever gone the way I thought it would. I thought you were just my friend, but I was wrong. I love you more than I ever knew it was possible to love anyone. We haven’t talked about it, but I’ve known for a while I want to spent the rest of my life with you and start a family together.”

She pressed a hand to her mouth, too overcome to speak.

“And there’s nothing I’d love more than for you to say you’ll marry me.”

“Yes.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper, her throat painfully tight. “It’s what I want, too, more than anything.”

He took her left hand in his and wound the stem of the flower around her finger, creating a makeshift ring. She stared at it, that beautiful red poppy nestled on her finger as a symbol of Ryan’s love and their future together. It was more perfect than any ring he could have given her.

“I love you so much, babe.” He stood and pulled her into his arms. “I can’t fucking wait to marry you and start our life together.”

Neither could she.

Four weeks later, they stood on a grassy overlook at the bluffs. Not the top. Emma’d had some ideas, but Ryan had won out as the voice of reason. They simply couldn’t ask their wedding guests to hike to the top of the bluffs, and neither was he about to let his pregnant wife-to-be climb up there in her wedding dress.

Emma stood before him now, wearing the same dress Ethan had seen photos of on Gabby’s phone. It had little pink flowers across the front and a long flowing skirt, and Ryan could hardly draw breath she was so fucking gorgeous.

Mark stood in front of them, looking awfully damn official in a black suit, their vows in his hands. He’d gone and gotten himself ordained for the occasion. Ethan, Gabby, Trent, Carly, Sam, Mandy, and Jessica rounded out their little wedding party.

“By the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Mark said.

Emma leaped into his arms with a kiss that set his heart ablaze with love. For their future, and their family, and a lifetime of happiness. Everyone rushed in to congratulate them.

“I still can’t you believe you beat me to the altar,” Gabby said in mock anger, tears streaking her cheeks.

“I can’t either.” Emma’s giggles were mixed with her own tears. “But we’ll be doing this again for you and Ethan in just a few weeks.”

Trent stood beside Ryan, tugging at the ever-present beanie on his head. “Congrats, you guys.”

“Thanks, man.” Ryan clapped his brother on the back. “So glad you’re back.”

Emma flung her arms around Trent. “I’m so happy to have you as my brother-in-law.”

Trent had come back to Haven last month and was taking classes at the local community college, working toward his degree at his own pace while still DJ’ing once a week at The Music Factory. He and Emma often commiserated about homework.

“Can you believe it?” Emma whispered in Ryan’s ear, her arm going around his waist.

“I’m afraid to blink sometimes. So much has changed.”

“Yeah.” She was beaming, the happy glow in her cheeks the only visible sign of the baby who’d jump-started their happily ever after. “When I said I wanted to shake things up this year, I had no idea what I was starting.”

“This may be the wildest ride of all.” He leaned in to kiss her. “I’m absolutely crazy for you, today and always.”

“Me, too,” she whispered against his lips. “Me, too.”

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