Page 157 of Frozen Flames

Eventually, Claire heads to the grocery store, and luckily, Henrik shows up to help me out.

“Finished with all your stuff?” I ask him when I greet him. He didn’t bring much with him when he moved into my old place, so I’m sure he’s done unpacking already.

“Pretty much.”

“Well, thanks for the help. You honestly don’t have to, you know.”

“Don’t even mention it,” he says with a joint tucked behind his ear.

“Hen…” I clear my throat. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I can’t even—”

“Come on…no need to thank me.”

“But I do.” I swallow, looking at my hands. “Also, for putting your life on hold and moving in with me.” He snorts at my comment, and I continue. “You didn’t have to do that, but I’m glad we got to live together again.”

Watching movies, gaming, sitting in the backyard, eating pizza and drinking beer, laughing and cooking.

“Well, shit, man, now you’re gonna make me cry. Why do you always have to make mecry?” he jokes dramatically.

I throw one of the cushions from our assembled couch at him, and he dodges it, giving me the finger.

He laughs, then says a little more seriously, “I love you, man.”

“I love you too, idiot” is my reply.

Claire

Over a year later . . .

I always dreamed of a fall wedding!

Something about the drop in temperature and the ever-changing leaves and the idea of staying inside, reading by the window, warms my heart.

Claire Edwards is officially Mrs. Stark.

We’ve been back from our honeymoon for a week now, and I’m still pinching myself. We rented a cottage for a month and just enjoyed our new lives together as newlyweds.

The last thing Harvey wanted for our honeymoon was the joyful experience of traveling as a disabled man and all the difficulties it entails.

I still can’t believe we’re married.

I wore a simple square-neck satin dress that was fitted yet allowed me to move around easily.

My mom, Audrey, and I cried a lot.

I was a mess before the ceremony—I shed more than a few tears, and I was terribly anxious. But once I walked down the aisle toward Harvey, all my nerves drifted away.

I was more than excited to marry him.

We had a small wedding with our families and a few friends. It made it more intimate, and I loved that I got to spend time with everyone throughout the night.

Harvey was so nervous about standing up that he brought his crutches. He usually needs them for longer distances or if he has to stand for a long period of time.

And his wheelchair is often nearby just in case.

“Why are you so gorgeous?” Harvey whispers in my ear, his arms going around my waist as I make a carrot cake.

I turn around and look him up and down, checking him out. “Have you seen yourself, Mr. Stark?”

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