Page 22 of Seven Year Itch

More tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at Garrett. "I love it."

Garrett slipped the ring on her finger. "I loveyou." Then he cleared his throat and spoke in a loud, clear voice. "This ring is a symbol of my endless love for you. May I never give you cause to doubt it again."

Then his lips were on hers, searing her with a kiss that filled her heart and curled her toes.

"Daddy, we're not to the kissing part yet. Mommy still needs to talk, and the church man needs to say,you may kiss the bride."

Ali chuckled against her husband's lips at her son's words, and their guests erupted in laughter.

Garrett leaned away from Ali and looked over at Noah. "Sorry, little man, I couldn't help myself. Your mommy looks too pretty."

Noah beamed up at him, Garrett's transgression clearly forgiven.

The officiant cleared his throat. "Mrs. Evans, you may proceed."

In a panic, her eyes flew to Garrett, and he immediately came to her rescue. "Everyone knows I sprung this on you. It wouldn't look bad if you didn't say anything."

Ali shook her head. "No, I want to. It just took me by surprise." Her lips twitched. "Seems to be a reoccurring theme today."

Little creases formed by Garrett's eyes as his lips pulled into a smile.

Ali took a deep breath. She had no idea what to say so blurted the first thing that popped into her head. "I'm really happy you're not having an affair."

She realized her joke fell flat when Garrett lost his smile and a frown line formed between his eyes. "I have never wanted anyone but you. Never loved anyone but you. You are the reason I was put on this earth. Without you, there is no me, so baby, I would never doanythingto take you away from me."

More tears fell, making Ali hope the makeup artist had used waterproof mascara or she was sure to look like a raccoon by now. Standing before Garrett, seeing his love for her shining in his eyes, made her wonder how she ever doubted that love. She gave him a look she hoped conveyed all her love in return.

Clearing the emotion from her throat, she said, "I know what I want to say now." Garrett moved his hands back down to her hips. "When we first met, you swept me off my feet, and I fell in love with you with the first smile you gave me. I wanted to be Mrs. Evans so badly, I didn't care how the goal was achieved so long as it happened. I never once regretted our hasty wedding." She reached up cupping his face as he had hers. "When it comes to you, I've never regrettedanything."

Garrett captured her wrists, pulling her hands from his face before turning to the minister. "Can you say the magic words now, please."

The officiant had a smile in his voice as he said, "You may now kiss the bride."

And then Garrett did.

Boy, did he ever.

≈≈≈≈

The party was in full swing, and Ali was having a blast. Garrett hadn't left her side once. The light reflected off the stone of her new ring whenever she took a sip from her glass of champagne, and she couldn't help but smile at it every damn time.

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Jade, Lucas's wife, said as she, with a toddler on her hip and Lucas on her arm, walked up to her and Garrett.

Ali laughed. "I'm sure it was one of a kind." Her eyes moved to Lucas. "Were you in on the shenanigans, too?"

He gave her a smirk, not looking the least bit contrite. "I was in charge of defending the office."

Ali heard Jade gasp before her shouted, "Lucas St. James!"

Lucas looked down at his petite wife, raising a brow. "Yes?"

Not intimidated, she informed, "Lucky for you, I'm holding our son."

Lucas leaned in closer to his wife and said suggestively, "You won't be holding him tonight. Should I be worried then?"

"Tonight I'll be holding something else you'll need to be worried about."

Lucas tipped his head back and laughed, and Garrett said, "And that's our cue to leave." He gave Lucas a slap on his shoulder. "Good luck tonight, my friend."

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