Page 135 of Exes and Oh Hell No

Tears stream down her cheeks as she glares at me—her smile wide.

Her voice is breathless when she says, “Youunhinged bastard. We’re getting married in eight days, andnowyou’re proposing?—”

I remove the ring from the box, sliding it onto her finger. “I told you, you’re mine. I’m not asking, I’m telling you. We’re getting married, and I’m going to make you blissfully happy—and pissed off—for the rest of your life.”

I stand, and she collapses into me, a mess of giggles and tears, her small fists punching my shoulder before fisting my shirt and pulling me in for a kiss.

“I love you, you unhinged maniac.”

I lift her from the dock, spinning her beneath the stars.

The waves hit the wood, their sloshing a perfect soundtrack to this moment.

“Say it. Harper Brooks.Mrs. Ford Brooks.”

She wriggles in my arms. “Put me down before you hurt yourself, and I will.”

“Harper,” I warn. “You want to go swimming tonight?”

Her eyes widen. “N-No.”

“Then stop saying veiled comments about your weight. You’re perfect. When I tell you I love you and wouldn’t change a damn thing about you, I mean it.”

Her hands cup my face as she slams her lips to mine.

Breathless, eyes shining, she pulls back.

“I love you, Ford. And I can’t wait to be Mrs. Ford Brooks.”

“I love you, Harper?—”

A loud war cry interrupts us.

The deck shakes as Connor, clad in apriest robe, sprints toward us, dragging Allie along with Jake, Cole, and Daltyn in tow.

I burst into laughter. “What the hell are you wearing?”

Connor grins, tugging at the robe. “Son, I’mofficiallyan ordained minister. If you want, I can marry youright now.” He pulls a Bible from his pocket.

“Noo!” Harper and Allie shriek in unison.

“I want the flowers and the arch!” Harper cries.

“I want to be maid of honor and see her in a white dress!” Allie smacks Connor with the Bible. “Stop your nonsense.”

Connor rubs his head. “Fine. But maybe we can use this costume for otherfunthings.” He wiggles his brows. “You have a priest kink, baby?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Allie groans.

“What’s wrong with my boy?” Gram appears behind him, beaming.

Harper and I rush to her, wrapping her in a hug.

“Oh, my. I’m the most popular one here,” she laughs, squeezing us tight. “It’s about time you two stopped fighting the inevitable.” She pinches my cheek, then Harper’s. “It was foolish to be apart for a decade. Now, you can spend the rest of your lives making up for it.”

I tighten my grip on Harper, and we share a long look.

Gram turns to Harper. “Trust me, honey, I married Ford’s grandpa when I was eighteen. We spent fifty-five years together in wedded bliss, and there was never a dull moment.”

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