Page 142 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

Liam is it for me. Him and Ivy and Ford.

This is it. Whatever that means, wherever we need to be for them to be happy.

Because I’ll be happy as long as I’m with them.

I join them at the table and somehow participate in the conversation without anyone wondering what’s going on with me. Eating three cinnamon rolls helps.

But the second Ivy and Ford step into the room, wet hair, big grins, Ford’s hand on her ass, I stand up.

“Um, hey, everyone?”

They are all quiet and turn to face me.

“Are you okay, dear?” my mom asks.

“Yes. I’m great.”

“You look flushed. Are you sick?” my dad asks.

“He does look flushed,” Greg agrees.

“I’m not sick, I’m fine,” I assure them.

“You do look tense, though. What’s going on?” my grandfather asks.

“I’m trying to tell you,” I tell them.

“Is it the FBI?” Ed asks. “Have they found something?”

“No, it’s not the FBI. That’s all fine,” I say.

“Oh good,” my mother says. She looks at Regina. “Can you believe that we had theFBIhere investigating our kids?”

“Well, they weren’t really investigating the kids,” Dad says. “They’re investigating Brad and just questioned the kids.”

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Mom says. “It was theFBI.”

“I just can’t believeBraddid all of that,” Regina says. “We’ve known him since he was born! All those years. And his poor parents.”

“Okay!” I say loudly. “I have something to say and it’snotabout the FBI or Brad! I’m not sick, and I’m not tense!”

I’m a little tense, but…

“Then what’s wrong?” Liam asks.

I focus on him. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong.” I drop back into my seat and face him. “In fact, everything is completelyright. Now. Because you’re here. Because of you and Ivy.”

I look up and find her. She’s watching me. The look on her face is so sweet. And I think she knows exactly what I’m about to say.

I give her a wink. She grins.

“So what do you have to say in front of everyone right at this very moment?” Ford asks.

I look at the guy who’s been my best friend all of my life. The one who knows me better than anyone. The one who I can’t imagine living without and who I now won’t ever have to.

Ford also knows what I’m about to say.

“I need to say that…” I look at Liam. “I’m in love with you. Madly. Completely. I’ve never felt like this before, and I need you to know that I never want to be without you. No matter what that means or where I need to go or what I need to do to make that happen.”

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