Page 84 of The Forever Game

We’re married!

Once outside in the sunshine, Asher pulls me into his arms again, and I melt against him.

“I love you, Mr. Bensen.”

“I love you, Mrs. Iona.”

I pull back before he can kiss me, playing with the ends of his hair. “Actually, I think I want to be Mrs. Bensen.”

“Really?” His eyebrows rise in shock. “I for sure thought you’d want to keep your own name.”

“Well, I do… for study, like my PhD and stuff, but… I also really love the sound of saying, ‘Hi, I’m Mrs. Lani Bensen.’” I can feel my cheeks flush as I bite my lips together. “What is wrong with me?”

Asher laughs. “You’re pretty loved up right now, so I won’t hold it against you if you change your mind later.” He winks. “I don’t care what you call yourself, just as long as you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.” I wrap my arms back around him, loving the way his hands feel as they glide around my back and he secures me against him.

We stay in that mind-melting sunshine, kissing by the limo, until another bride and groom arrive with a little party of friends. With joyful congratulations, we wish them well, then slip into the limo and make out some more.

I hate to think what my makeup looks like between Asher’s hot lips and the sweat melting my mascara off, but I’m too happy to care… until he gets a phone call from Liam.

“Hey. What’s up?” Asher’s eyes dart to mine, and I mouth, “Put it on speaker.”

What? So I’m nosy.

He presses the speaker button, and I catch the end of Liam’s question. “So, the kids are getting settled, and I wanted to let you guys know. You know, in case you’re looking out the villa window and wondering why there’s an adorable three-year-old running around in the yard.”

I gasp. “You’ve got a three-year-old?”

“Oh, hey, Lani.” Liam chuckles. “Yeah, it was all very last minute, but we’ve got two foster kids until further notice.”

“That’s amazing,” I gush. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Well, come on down if you like.”

“Actually…” Asher clears his throat, and we share another look. “We’re not home right now.”

“Well, when you get back, swing by.”

“We’re in Vegas,” my husband (Eeeppp! My husband!) admits.

There’s a pause, and I can picture Liam’s face as he slowly calculates that news and probably starts to draw some pretty accurate conclusions.

“Vegas.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What are you guys doing in Vegas?” I catch the smile in his voice, then hear Rachel.

“Vegas? They’re in Vegas?”

I can’t help a giggle and want to roll my eyes at myself. I sound like a schoolgirl.

Then Rachel’s voice is coming through the speakers. “You guys didn’t go to Vegas to get—” She gasps. “You totally did!”

I wrinkle my nose, my gaze completely goofy as Asher and I admit in unison, “We did!”

“Ah!” Rachel yelps, then orders us to stay on the line while she gets everyone else to dial in.

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