Page 85 of Last Boy

“He sounds…pretty awesome.” He bobs his head up and down.

“He’s all right, I guess.” I shrug playfully before I sigh. “Walker, what’s this all about? Why are you bringing up marriage?”

He looks around before pinching the bridge of his nose and grabbing both of my hands. “I don’t know. I guess I just feel like we’ve finally got it figured out. The universe is finally letting us just…be together. And we’re here. On the rocky coast of Maine—a place I never imagined I’d live and certainly didn’t think you’d want to move to with me. But you said it yourself. It feels like home.” He gives me a slight grin, showing off that subtle dimple of his I’ve always loved. “What if we got married tomorrow? On Christmas Day?”

“For real?” I blurt out. “Are you, like, asking me to marry you?”

“I guess I am.” He shrugs before he quickly drops to his knee. “Shit, what was I thinking? I have to do this right.” He blows out a long breath, keeping hold of my hands, and looks up at me. “I have no ring for you. And I know the traditional way to get married is to have one. And to have a plan. To ask for permission—but we both know you and I don’t need permission from anyone. Because we’ve already been taking care of each other for as long as I can remember.”

I can feel the emotion in his voice, which only makes a lump form in my throat.

“Will you marry me, Poppy? Because for my whole entire life, everyone seems to leave or get taken from me. You’re one thing I can’t afford to lose. Not again.”

I smile down at him through my tear-soaked lashes, which I’m sure are about to turn to lash-icles because the temperature seems to be dropping as snow begins to fall from the sky. “Walker James, I would love to marry you.” I nod slowly, pulling him to his feet. “I don’t care about a ring. I just care about you.”

His lips are on mine, and he scoops me up and twirls me around. I feel as light as a feather, like my soul has officially left my body, and I’m flying freely with no risk of hitting the ground.

“Wait,” I say, frowning. “Tomorrow is Christmas Day. Who in the world would marry us on a holiday?”

Kissing me again, he winks. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.”

25

Poppy

It’s snowing. Not the kind that stops your plans, but enough that has me and Walker bundled up, trudging back to the lighthouse.

It’s Christmas afternoon. And our morning was spent having sex in every crevice of the condo that the Bay Sharks manager set us up in. My favorite spot we christened was probably in front of the fireplace on the faux fur rug.

Pulling me along with him, Walker gives me a small smile before looking forward. We walk along in comfortable silence, preparing to start the rest of our lives together. Legally.

I have no idea who the person is he found online to marry us. I’m just trying to push the feeling of sadness out of my brain that Jake isn’t going to be here.

I didn’t want a wedding, but it feels strange to get married without Jake.

“You sure about this, Poppyseed?” Walker says, bringing my hand to his lips. “I mean, if you run now, I’ll probably buy a camp somewhere in Maine, go off the deep end, change my name, buy a bunch of dogs, and never wash my ass again.” He shrugs. “Not to pressure you or anything.”

“Well, now that you’ve made me feel bad, how can I run away?” I deadpan.

When his eyes narrow and his gaze snaps to mine, I pat his stomach. “Relax. I’m kidding. Although the fact that you’d stop washing your ass over me is quite flattering.”

“Who would it need to be clean for?” He shrugs as we stop along the water’s edge. “My dogs wouldn’t care if I smelled like ass. Right?”

“I guess so.” I laugh. “Whoever this mystery officiant is should be here anytime now.”

Looking over the top of my head, he tilts his chin up. “I see him now actually.”

I spin around slowly, and my eyes must bug out of my head when I see Jake is walking toward me. Next to him is his girlfriend’s mom.

Unable to stop myself, I bolt toward him and throw my arms around him. “Jake! What are you doing here? I thought you were spending the day with Bonnie.”

He squeezes me so hard that it almost takes my breath away. Jake always gives the best hugs to those he loves—something I’ll never take for granted.

“I am. She is back at the hotel with her dad,” he answers, nodding as he releases me. “Bonnie’s mom can marry people. So, she’s going to help me.”

My eyes find Bonnie’s mom, Barbara, and I beam.

“You’re an officiant? And you brought him here so that he could marry us?”

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