Page 115 of Tangled Desires

I lean in, matching her grin. “I’m just full of surprises.”

You’re Still the One - Teddy Swims

Life at First Sight - Alexander Stewart

The resort—Paradise Cove—is like stepping into a dream. Bright blue skies, the ocean so clear you can see the coral, and the kind of heat that clings to your skin. Everything smells like salt and flowers, and the air is so still it feels like the whole world’s holding its breath.

I’m standing in this room decked out in floral wreaths and candles, trying not to sweat through my shirt. Joseph’s perched on my hip, babbling nonsense, tugging at my collar, like he knows I’m on the verge of losing it. My heart’s hammering—hell, it’s not just hammering, it’s trying to break out of my chest.

I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous. Or maybe I do. It’s excitement, panic, love—all of it,crashing into me at once. I keepglancing at the door, my throat tight like I’ve swallowed a rock. This moment… It’s bigger than me. Bigger than anything I’ve ever done.

The music kicks in—You’re Still the Oneby Teddy Swims—and my brain just... short circuits. Chest tight. Knees wobbly. I’m trying to focus, but all I’m seeing is white. Lots of it. Long. Tight.

Then her. Imogen.

My Immy-girl.

She’s walking toward me, and everything else just fades. Her dress hugs her like it was made for her. And that neckline? Yeah, breathing’s officially optional. Her hair’s loose, catching the light, golden curls bouncing with every step. And her eyes—locked right on me like I’m the only one here. My knees nearly buckle. She’s so fucking gorgeous I can’t think straight. My thoughts scatter.

Focus, Harrison.

Breathe in, breathe out. Nope. Not working.

My heart’s sprinting like it’s trying to win a marathon. I flex my hands, then shake them out because they won’t stop fidgeting. She’s so fucking beautiful I can’t think straight. I’m standing here, seconds away from marrying the woman of my dreams, and I’m already a goner.

The tears hit before I can even stop them. Just sliding down my face, heavy and fast, like they’ve been waiting for this exact moment. And honestly? I don’t care.

Joseph’s the first to notice, little dude reaching up from my hip, his tiny fingers poking at my face like it’s the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. He giggles—this soft sound—and something inside me cracks wide open. Imogen catches on next. Her steps falter, her eyes locking on me.

“Oh my God,” she whispers, shaking her head. “You’re gonna make me cry.Stop it.”

I wipe at my face, but my hands won’t stop shaking. “I can’t help it. You’re a fucking vision, Immy.”

Her face softens, lips curving in that smile that wrecks me every time. She dabs at her eyes, muttering about how I’m impossible, but I can tell she’s barely holding it together. The celebrant starts talking, his voice low and steady, but my brain’s going a mile a minute. Hands fidgeting with the hem of my jacket, tapping my foot, I’m trying to focus, but all I can see is her. It’s just us, the way we planned. No crowd, no chaos. Just Imogen, me, and Joseph, with the waves as backup music. Selfish? Maybe. Perfect?

Absolutely.

The vows come quicker than I expect. Imogen looks at me, her eyes bright with unshed tears, and takes a breath. “I didn’t plan for you, Harrison. Didn’t want to. You were loud, annoying, and always in my space. You drove me crazy.” Her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile. “But somehow, you snuck in. With that stupid grin and a heart so big, it shouldn’t fit in one person. And now? I can’t picture my life without you. You’re chaos, comfort, and everything in between.”

She pauses, shaking her head like she can’t believe it herself. “You make me feel safe. You make me laugh. You make mewantthings I thought I’d never need.” Her smirk breaks through the tears. “I promise to never stop teasing you, never stop loving you, and never let you forget how lucky you are to have me.” I snort, wiping at my eyes, and she raises a brow, daring me to disagree.

God, I love her. I really do.

Imogen slides the gold ring onto my finger, the one we picked out together. Simple, with our initials engraved inside. Hers matches mine perfectly. My heart kicks up like I’ve had too much caffeine. I take a breath to settle my nerves, knowing it’s my turn now, but it doesn’t help.

“You’re my first,” I say, but my voice cracks, and I stop, rubbing the back of my neck. “Not my first kiss, or my first girlfriend—” I flinch when she arches a brow, and Joseph babbles, like he’s siding with her and I tsk. “All of a sudden, I’m not good with my words. You jinxed me.”

“Keep going,” she mouths.

I blow out a breath, shifting on my feet. Focus. “Imogen, you’re the first person who has ever made me feel good enough.Ever. You showed me what true, deep love really looks like. Messy, maddening, perfect love. You’re my first, and you’re my last. You’re it for me. You and Joseph, this little family of ours? This is all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ll ever want. I promise to love you, annoy you and spend the rest of my life proving that you’re my everything.” I pull the ring from my pocket—an emerald-cut sapphire with a pear-shaped diamond, catching the light like her eyes. She gasps, tears falling freely now. So do mine. No point holding them back.

Joseph, done with our moment, tugs at my tie—one tiny hand on my tie and the other reaching for Imogen. She takes him, settling him against her hip just as he sneezes—loud and wet—straight onto her dress.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” she mutters, laughing as she dabs at the mess with her bouquet.

The celebrant smiles. “By the power vested in me…”

Yeah, no chance I’m waiting.

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