Page 112 of Menace in Vegas

The sheer, possessive, feral jealousy coursing through me is proof of one thing.

I’m hopelessly in love with Connor Byrns.

* * *

I put the dress on.

My hair and makeup—thanks to the spa—are fuckingstunning.

And for the first time in years, I look in the mirror and feel…Beautiful.

Not “decent.”

Not just “good enough.”

But truly, unapologetically beautiful.

My heart practically glows through my chest.

Connor did this on purpose. He wanted me to see myself the wayhesees me.

And finally, I do.

There’s no more fight left.

Only certainty.

Only him.

I want to walk down the aisle.

I want to marry him.

I wantus.

Somewhere between resisting and needing him, I fell in love with him. Deeply, irresistibly, impossibly in love.

A smile curls my lips.

Now, I’m about to spend the rest of my life with him.

43

CONNOR

Ihave never been so nervous in my life.

Not at the NHL draft.

Not during my first playoff game.

Not even during the shootout that sent us to the finals.

This is different.

Allison Payne—my menace, my chaos, my heart—is about to walk down the aisle and become my wife.

And I swear to God, if she turns and runs, I’ll chase her.

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