Page 27 of A Little Bit Wild

“Shall we get started?” He asks, and I make sure all of our friends are inside before I nod to him to start.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” he starts, and I tune him out.

I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than Aria right now. She’s staring up at me with love and excitement swirling in her pretty blue eyes. She looks alive and hopeful, and I can’t help but fall even more in love with her.

I hate that her mom passed away, but I’m so grateful that her passing led Aria to me. I know that we’re getting married fast and haven’t known each other for very long, but when you know, you know. I’ve known that Aria was the one for me since we met. There was just something about her that called to me.

“Do you,” the officiant says, and I blink, focusing back on the ceremony. “Take Aria Clipton to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“Yes, I do,” I say, almost before he can finish asking.

I slip the ring onto her finger, marveling at how perfect the diamond looks. I smile as the officiant turns to Aria.

“And do you take Kye—”

“I do,” she blurts out, and I grin, squeezing her hands in mine.

She slides the ring onto my finger, and I flex my fingers, getting used to the feeling of it there.

“Then, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Our friends cheer as I dip Aria back and press my lips against hers. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I can feel her grinning against my mouth as we stand back up. We turn to face Rhett, Anson, Gates, Lottie, and Quinn, and I raise Aria’s hand into the air.

“Woohoo!” Quinn cheers.

“Congratulations,” Gates says, smiling happily at us.

“Thanks.”

“Should we get something to eat?” Lottie asks, rubbing her very pregnant belly.

“Yes, please!” Aria says, and I laugh.

“Italian?” I ask her, and she bites her lip.

“How about burritos down by the beach?” She asks, and I can’t help but tug her back into my arms.

“God, I love you,” I say as I kiss her again.

“Ugh!” Our friends groan, and I laugh as I intertwine our fingers as we head out.

“Love you, wife,” I tell her, and she beams up at me.

“Love you too, husband.”

I squeeze her hand in mine as we head out into the sunshine.

TWELVE

Aria

Five Years Later…

“She’s so precious,”Dillon coos down at my daughter, and I smile.

Already the pain and stress from labor are starting to fade from memory.

“I’m just so excited that she’s finally here. I was starting to get impatient,” I admit, and Kye leans over and kisses my forehead.

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