Page 32 of Why Not Forever?

She takes the heart. “Because you made them for me.”

“That’s right.” I wink.

The guests laugh and Vic takes a breath because it’s her turn. We said we’d write our vows and keep them as close to the truth as possible while also making it sound like we’re hopelessly in love with each other. Of course, Iamhopelessly in love with her, so my vows weren’t difficult, but I’m curious to know what she’s about to say.

“Tanner. You are charming and over the top.” She holds up the heart as though that’s proof of what she’s said. “There was a time when those traits annoyed me. But, I admit, you sort of grow on a person, until after a while, I realized I actually look forward to your antics. A few weeks ago, you came and asked me out and I realized something else. I haven’t trusted love in a long time, but I trust you, Tanner, which isn’t something I do lightly. When you asked me to marry you, I knew there was nothing I wanted to do more.” She pauses and I squeeze her hand. She squeezes back. “I also promise to have your back, no matter what, to laugh at your jokes, even when they’re not funny.”

“I’m always funny.”

She rolls her eyes again. “Whatever you need to tell yourself. And I promise to keep trusting you because you deserve it.”

The officiant begins the next section of the ceremony and suddenly we’ve both said, “I do,” and exchanged rings. The one Vic bought for me is perfect as well. It’s black tungsten with two thin bands of rose gold twisted in the centre. I stare at it on my left ring finger until the officiant says, “You may kiss your bride.”

My heart pounds in my chest. We’d talked about this as well. How it’s expected. How it will be fine and doesn’t have to be more than a quick brush of lips. Vic isn’t a big PDA person anyway, so it makes sense that we wouldn’t share a huge, passionate kiss in front of a hundred of our closest friends and family. But this is also the first time I’ve kissed Vic since that morning when everything had been so hopeful.

I cup her jaw, tilting her face up, keeping my eyes open so I can see the moment hers flutter closed. Then I press my lips to hers, softly, gently, lost again, this time in the feeling of her lips. Her hands slide along my jacket lapels, holding them and tugging me a little closer. I lift my head, breaking the kiss, watching as she comes back to herself. The hazy look in her eyes makes me want to kiss her again, but I refrain, because that would be too much.

The officiant leads us to the table on the side where we sign the papers. They’re witnessed, and it’s done. We are officially married. Victoria Sterling is my wife. Now, if only I can keep her.

Chapter 12

Vic

“I’mmarried,”Isay,standing to one side while Ava takes pictures of Tanner and his groomsmen. Our usual photographer was already booked for today, as were most of the other wedding photographers we occasionally work with. So Ava had offered to do it for us, and we’d accepted.

“That’s what that ring on your finger means, yes,” Spencer says.

“No, I mean. I’m actually married. To Tanner.”

Spencer and Adalie give me a concerned look. “Wasn’t that the plan?” Adalie asks.

“Yes, but…” I scan the beach, stalling for time as I search for the right words. Because all I can really think about is the way his lips had felt on mine. The gentle way he’d held me, as if I were the most precious thing in the world. And just a tiny bit, how, once upon a time, I’d been in love with him. It’s been hard for me to even think those words, but I can’t stop thinking them now. “How am I going to do this? I haven’t had a relationship last longer than a few months since Emily.”

“This isn’t exactly a relationship, Vic,” Adalie says. “It’s a business arrangement. Isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I say, lifting my hand toward my mouth before Spencer grabs it and pushes it back down. The thing that’s really freaking me out is this relationship hasn’t felt strictly business. The more time I spend with Tanner, the more I remember how we used to be friends. How I’d liked him. How good we’d been in bed. I don’t say any of this to my friends. Instead, I say, “We’re going to live together. I’ve never lived with someone before.”

Spencer snorts.

“You don’t count,” I tell him. “I never—” I break off, because I don’t want to admit this part out loud.

I don’t have to, because Spencer finishes it for me. “You were never attracted to me?” He asks the question in his I-told-you-so voice, so I glare at him. He is completely unfazed.

Though I do appreciate he took pity on me and saidattractedinstead ofhad feelings for.

“Are you starting to want a real relationship with Tanner?” Adalie asks.

“No. Of course not.” But that fucking kiss flashes through my mind again and something inside calls me a liar.

The way Spencer is looking at me, he knows it, too.

“He was your friend once,” Adalie says. “Maybe you can start there. Just because it’s business doesn’t mean you can’t also be friends. Look at the four of us.”

I take a breath. “I can do that. Friends and business partners. Like the four of us.” Except, after that kiss, I kind of want another one. Without the audience this time.

Ava calls us over and we take more pictures, some with just me and Tanner, some with the whole group. His niece and nephew get in a few, but they’re young and sat so nicely through the ceremony, I don’t make them stay long. Addison takes them to get changed so they can play in the sand for a while before the reception.

“Okay. A couple more,” Ava says. “Vic, do you have that heart he made for you?”

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