Page 111 of Negotiating Tactics

I looked at my best friend, my stomach trembling with nerves, joy, and nausea. “Yes,” I responded.

“Then let’s go!” she exclaimed.

I looked over at Noah, who stared at me intently and then interlaced my fingers with his.

Then, together, we walked up the courthouse steps. I glanced at Noah as the security guard ushered us in.

“You got special treatment?” I said to Noah, knowing well how long it could take to get through court security.

“No, that’s all Birdie,” he said.

“Really?” I asked, looking at her.

She nodded. “I made a call to the judge who officiated our wedding. She was happy to do yours.”

“Thanks for getting us in on such short notice,” Noah said to Birdie.

“It’s no problem at all! Now I just have to wonder how we’re going to fit everyone in her office,” Birdie said.

“We’ll make it work,” Noah responded as we filled the elevator.

After three floors, the elevator doors opened, and we filed out and followed Birdie, who knocked on a door at the end of the hall.

I was surprised when the judge herself opened the door and ushered us into her chambers.

“Hello, Judge Carson. Thank you for officiating this wedding on such short notice,” Birdie said.

The judge smiled, her unwrinkled brown skin luminous as she smiled at Noah and me. “I’m more than happy to. And it’s good to see you and your husband,” the judge said, nodding at Dominic.

“Thank you, Your Honor. And I apologize for the crowd,” Birdie said.

The judge waved her off. “Nonsense. I always say, the more, the merrier,” the judge said as she nodded at Dominic, Tristian, Beau, Aunt Clem, and Dana, who had all squeezed into the room.

Then, she looked at Noah and me.

“The happy couple!” she said, smiling at us.

“That’s us,” I said. “And it’s a pleasure you meet you, Your Honor.”

“You as well. Will there be vows?” the judge asked.

“I want to say something,” Noah said.

“Go ahead,” the judge said.

Noah nodded at her and then turned to me and grabbed my other hand as he stared me in the eye.

He looked beyond handsome in his simple black slacks and blue button-down shirt. I was wearing a simple green dress, Noah and I both agreeing we didn’t need to dress up or have a fancy wedding.

We had the people we loved. And we had each other.

That was all that mattered.

I kept my eyes locked on Noah’s as he started to speak.

“Alex, I am not a lucky man. I didn’t used to think so, anyway. Until I met you. I never expected you and never was brave enough to even imagine you. But somehow, I found you. And I will spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve you.”

He squeezed my hand, emotion clear all over him.

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