Page 73 of Ride By Your Side

“So you really love me?” he breathily asks, finally pulling his lips away from mine. He brushes some hair behind my ear before letting his hand rest on the side of my neck, his thumb brushing soft circles along my cheek.

“Yes. I really love you.” I raise my hand to his cheek, making sure he’s looking at me as I continue. “So, so much,” I promise, needing him to truly hear it.

I know that he and Blair didn’t have the easiest childhood, and I had to watch firsthand how his sister struggled with trust issues when it came to feeling loved or even lovable. However, the Bennetts are the most lovable people on this entire planet, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be the one who’s gotten to experience something this real and intense with the both of them.

“So, what do you think about what I said about the whole annulment thing?” he asks, his still somewhat uncertain eyes searching mine.

“I think we should call our lawyers first thing Monday morning and put a stop to it.” I smile, letting my hand slide back toward the nape of his neck as my fingertips curl into his hair.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think—”

I speak before he can say more. “I’m sure. I’m beyond sure. In fact, I think it just came true.”

His brows draw together in confusion. “What did?”

“My wish. Remember? At the wishing well in Disneyland. I told you I’d let you know when my wish came true, and it just did.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You wished for me?”

“I mean, notyouexactly, but in a roundabout way, I guess I sort of did.” I casually shrug. “I wished for my real-life Prince Charming and my very own true happily ever after, and it looks like I’ve finally gotten everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Are you sure about that?” he asks, a deep chuckle accompanying his words. “I’m not so sure anyone has ever referred to me as a Prince Charming before. If anything, you’re probably kissing yourself a frog.”

“Maybe so, but if you remember, she turned that frog into a prince, so that’s how I plan to look at it. Then again...” I trail off, my eyes scanning across his face, “I’d say you more closely resemble the Beast, which don’t worry, that’s a good thing.Beauty and the Beasthas always been one of my favorites. Although, I think I prefer our story the best. Our love is one of a kind and way better than any silly fairytale. What we have is real. ” I beam up at him.

“God, you’re so adorable,” he says, leaning down to kiss me once more.

“Right back at ya,” I say once he’s pulled back, even though he’s still resting his forehead against mine.

“I still don’t know if I’d go as far as calling myself a Prince Charming, but I will say I do like the person I become whenever you’re around.”

“That has nothing to do with me. That’s who you’ve always been. I think I just make it easier for you to be your true self,” I offer, since it’s not like I’m forcing him to be someone else, or at least I certainly hope not.

“Well, either way, I’m just glad we’re back on the same page. And I hope you know that I’m planning on doing everything in my power to make sure I never hurt you. My job from here on out is to protect you and your heart for the rest of my life,” he promises,lifting his chin to kiss the top of my forehead.

“And I promise to protect yours as well,” I assure him right back. “I know you like to pretend to be super tough, but deep down I know you’re nothing but a big softy.”

“Hey now,” he says, an amused lilt to his tone. “Don’t go around advertising that. I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Don’t worry, Broody Bennett. Your secret is safe with me,” I promise. “Now, what do you say about us taking this whole thing public?”

Sure, the majority of the town knows, or at least thinks they do after the night at the Timberline, but now that things are officially official, I’m ready to truly announce, once and for all that we’re together.

“Let’s do it,” he agrees, stepping back while also reaching for my hand. “I’m pretty sure they already do, but it’s time to truly make sure everyone in this town knows that Veronica Prescott belongs to Miles Bennett, and if anyone messes with her, they’re choosing to mess with me.”

“Alright, whatever you say, Mr. Tough Guy,” I tease, but honestly, I sort of love it. With Pete, it always felt like he wantedme because of who I was in the town or what my reputation could bring him, but with Miles, I finally feel like someone wants me for me, and that feels pretty damn special. “Lead the way,” I say, pointing, as we walk out of the room, hand in hand—maybe not for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Miles Bennett, but for the first time where it finally feels totally and completely real.

42

Epilogue

“It’ssocute!”Veronicagushes from her seat next to me as we pull into the driveway of Blair and Ford’s new place.

“I don’t know,” I muse, setting the car into park. “It was kind of nice having them live above Bob’s Quick and Tasty Pizza. It was always so nice and convenient that whenever we left their last place we could stop in and grab a slice.”

She rolls her eyes. “We’re like, what, two blocks away? I’m pretty sure if we ever leave here hungry, we can still easily stop and grab something,” she assures me as she opens her door and climbs out, fully taking in the details of their new place. “If anything, we should just be happy Blair is finally settling in and putting down some roots.”

She’s not wrong. My sister had talked about escaping Evergreen Grove since we were little kids, and the second she turned eighteen, she had made that a reality, but after returningfor what should have been Veronica’s wedding, and reuniting with Ford, all that changed.

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