Page 133 of Snared

I pressed her against the wall. “I love it when you call me that.”

“I’m still trying to process what just happened, but I love you, Josh. I know this isn’t the most romantic place to say it.” Her eyes twinkled.

“Because saying it while fighting off your ex is so much better.” I shook my head. “Sorry for that scene. I saw red when I spotted him at the door.”

“It was very much a grand gesture.” She sank her hands into my hair and pulled my face down to hers.

“I love you, Charlie Jones. I fell a long time ago and I fought it for a very long time,” I said. Then I pressed my lips to hers until the elevator dinged a very short while later.

“I’m glad we stopped fighting it,” she said as she pulled me into her apartment. “And thank you for not telling the media the entire truth about our wedding.”

“I would never do anything to hurt you, and no good would come from me telling anyone about our drunk fake wedding,” I said.

“I wish I remembered more of it,” she said. “I still don’t really know how you convinced me to marry you.”

“It was the smartest move I’ve ever made.” I cupped her face. “But there’s one thing I need to fix.”

I reached down and slipped the rings from her fingers, grateful that she was still wearing them after my fuckup last night.

She tilted her head in question.

I dropped to one knee. “You never did get an actual proposal. So, Charlie Jones, I know you’re way too good for me, and if you let me, I’ll never let you go, so will you marry me for real?”

Her smile grew and her fingers curled into my hand.

“Absolutely,” she said, sinking down on her knees in front of me as I slipped her rings back on.

“We can get new ones. Something perfect for you,” I said.

She smiled. “These are actually annoyingly perfect,” she muttered. “Now, will you please kiss me?”

I grinned and pulled her into my arms. “Anything for my wife.”

Epilogue – six months later

CHARLIE

“Youreadyforthis?”Jules asked as I smoothed my hands down the front of my wedding dress. My freaking wedding dress. I still couldn’t believe I was getting married today.

“I mean, it’s not like I’m not already married to the man,” I said, like I wasn’t completely nervous for some reason.

Jules handed me a small bouquet of tropical flowers. “Think Mom’s going to blow her top that she’s missing not one, but both of your weddings?”

“Probably, but she still thinks the first one was real,” I said, glancing at my reflection. I guess I should’ve invited her, but we’d decided to keep it very small. Just the people who were happy for us and who loved us. I only wanted fun memories from today since wedding number one was still a bit fuzzy.

“The first one was real, even if it was Elvis marrying you,” Jules said.

“I swear—I mean, I think—there was no Elvis. Pretty sure,” I said.

“Did someone say Elvis?” Jax called out from behind us.

“Oh my god, you didn’t,” Jules sputtered. I turned around to see Jax fully decked out in Vegas Elvis attire.

“I look amazing in rhinestones. Don’t hate,” he said, running his hands down his bedazzled chest.

“You have got to be joking. Jax. This is a respectable wedding,” I said.

“Then you probably shouldn’t have invited him,” Jules murmured.