Page 133 of From Us, Forever

The scent of pine and wood hit me as soon as Jay helped me out of the car, and I took in a long inhale of the fresh air.

Strawberry immediately ran off when we let her out, only to sprint to the edge of the woods, bark loudly, and run back to us again—clearly spooked.

“Come on.” He held out his hand, and I took it as he led me toward the back of the cabin. “I’ll show you everything in case you want to change something.”

The expansive land behind the main cabin was transformed with a huge open tent in the center, which Jay pointed at as the reception area.

“How did you get all of this done?” I asked, appreciating the flower ceiling that looked more like a midsummer garden, dotted with pink peonies and glittering lights with dark wooden tables and a dance floor matching it.

“I know you’ll say yes, so I had this planned.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “That’s a little too smug. What if I had said no?”

He gave me a lopsided grin. “You wouldn’t have. Not after you complained that you felt horrible when the doctors didn’t let you see me because you weren’t my wife.”

My feet faltered as I took in what he said. “Wait.” I gaped, wide-eyed. “You were awake the whole time I said that. Youwere pretending to be in a coma!?” I screamed so loud that some of the passing staff gave me a weird look.

“I wasn’t. I swear.” He backed up, his eyes shining. “I just woke up a few minutes before and you were having your own monologue, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“You ass.” I advanced toward him, but he stepped farther back. “You come back here.” I ran after him, fuming as the cold forest wind slapped my face.

“Reading all those cards. So fucking adorable.” He grinned, getting father away from me with Strawberry running faster than that, thinking we were playing fetch.

Damn, his long legs.

Knowing I was never going to catch up to him, I faked a cramp and planted myself on the ground, holding my knee while I pretended to cry.

“Fuck.” I heard him curse and within seconds, I was cradled in his arms. “Fuck, sorry sweetheart.” His face pinched with guilt. “Does it hurt?” He swiped a soft thumb along my cheek while his other hand rubbed my knee.

“No,” I shrieked which startled him and I took the chance and tackled him. He landed on his back while I held his arms over his head, straddling him as I grinned proudly.

“You little menace.” He admonished, shaking his head but the guilt in his eyes was replaced by mirth. “What are you going to do?”

I leaned forward, playfully biting his chin. “I think I’m going to…”

“Going to?” He swallowed, raising a brow.

“Tickle you.”

My fingers started to dig the side of his ribs but were only met with hard muscles of steel.

In an instant, he rolled us over, and I gasped. “Did you really think you got me?” He taunted, and it was my time to squirm because he tickled me.

“Jay, stop, please,” I sputtered through the stitch in my ribs, fighting hard to breathe. I twisted side to side while he held me down, grinning as he continued his torment.

I giggled, wiggling under him.

“Are you sure you both are getting married tomorrow? With the way I see it, you look like a bunch of seven-year-olds,” Mikey drawled, looming over us with a reprimanding look.

Jay abruptly stopped, and I took that as a chance to escape him and hide behind Mikey.

“Save me,” I panted, clutching his arm.

“Of course, E.” He slung his arm over me, pulling me closer. “I’ll save you from this caveman.”

“Fucker.” Jay threw him a middle finger and jumped to his feet. “Let go of my girl.” He slid to my other side and stole me away from Mikey in one effortless pull. “Let’s go see the wedding place,” he said, walking forward.

Mikey laughed. “Possessive much?” he commented, keeping up with us.

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