Page 138 of Finding Our Reality

“Do you have to look like that? Why couldn’t you dress like all the other men? You’re egging it on.”

“What are you talking about? You mean because I’m not wearing a suit jacket and tie? You know I hate those things.” I’m dressed in black slacks and white button-up shirt. Of course, the neck is unbuttoned, and I rolled the sleeves up to my elbows. It’s hot in here. What other choice did I have?

She plants her hands on her hips. “You know exactly what I’m talking about,Mr. Let-Me-Show-You-My-Sex-Bucket-Forearms.”

“You like my forearms?”

She tries not to blush. Really, she does. “You know I do.”

It’s true. I do.

I can’t stand it. I gather her in my arms again, taking the opportunity to dance with her as the band plays a slow song from the stage. I kiss the soft line of her jaw. “My wife loves my forearms.”

She molds her body against mine, sighing contently. In her heels, we’re nearly eye to eye. Smiling, she lifts her hand from my shoulder and admires her wedding band. “I love it when you call me your wife.”

“That’s good. Because I love calling you my wife.” I look at my watch. “Best twenty hours of my life.”

“When can we make it official?” she asks.

It’s already official in my book. “As soon as you want. You just have to decide what kind of wedding you want.”

“Can we go to the courthouse on Monday?”

Hell yeah, we can. Instead of blurting that response, I just cock an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

Her lips pucker in thought. “Of course. Why?”

I shrug. “Not to drag up the past, but your wedding to Hudson was a quick courthouse thing. I wasn’t sure if you’d want the big, fancy, once-in-a-lifetime event.”

She immediately bursts out laughing. “Really? You want me to throw some huge, elaborate wedding and invite strangers? You think I want that?”

I shake my head. “No, actually I don’t. You never struck me as the bride-zilla type. I just didn’t wanna rob you of the choice. Because this will be the last wedding you will ever have, Lulu.I’m never letting you go.” I lean down and press my lips against hers. “You’re mine. For-fucking-ever.”

She licks her lips, licking mine in the process. “Never before. Never after.”

The song ends and another one immediately starts up. In the middle of the instrumental ballad, she starts giggling, piquing my interest. “What?”

“They’re gonna kill me. I never even called Aunt Teresa and Raylee to tell them you proposed.”

“They know.”

Her head lobs to the side. “Huh? You called them?”

“Well, I didn’t call to tell them I asked you today, but they knew it was coming. I asked Ray for his permission.”

Her eyes widen. “You did? You asked my uncle for my hand in marriage?”

“Of course, I did. Both him and Marcum.”

“What did they say?”

“They said no.”

Her mouth falls open in shock. “What?!”

I pinch her waist, teasing her. “I’m just kidding. Of course, they said yes.”

She smiles brightly. Whatever she is going to say is cut off by a young college-aged girl. “Excuse me, Ms. Hill?”

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