Page 33 of Enduring Magic

“I’m the lucky one, sweetheart. I was blessed the day I met you, and giving you my ice cream cone was the smartest move I ever made.”

“You were six. You didn’t know you were even making a move,” she returned with a laugh.

“True, but I knew, even then, that I’d do anything to dry your tears.”

“Hmm, with the exception of your prom prank.” Her tone was salty, but she ruined her act with a grin.

Coop touched his nose to hers. “You don’t know it, but I was heartsick for months afterward. Seeing you sob, so silently and pitifully, as if your soul was shattered… God, Summer, it tore my guts up. I never want to see you unhappy again.”

“It hurt to believe you didn’t want me, Coop. But we were kids, and boneheaded moves were the norm in high school.” She stretched up to drop a light kiss on his mouth. “And we’re so far past that. We were a little slower than the average bears, but we worked through our misunderstandings. We created a beautiful baby girl who is the light of our lives, and we’ll have another soul to spoil soon enough.” Meeting his adoring gaze, she smiled and wiggled her ring finger. “And now, we’re bonded, with enchanted rings to protect us. We’ve got this, babe.”

“We’ve got this,” he agreed. And with a deep chuckle, he spun her away from him and drew her back, tucking her against him once again. “I love you, Summer Carlyle.”

“Summer Carlyle. I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too.”

“Do you think your grandmother is looking down on us and smiling, Coop?” Summer liked to think so. That somehow, long ago, the elderly woman had guessed how perfect the two of them would be together and did her best to encourage their union.

The air grew heavy with the smell of lemons, and Coop glanced around in surprise before meeting her startled gaze. “I think we have our answer, sweetheart.”

Summer smiled in the face of his assured response and hugged him tighter as they swayed.

His lips brushed her ear, sending a shiver through her and sparking desire. “You didn’t say it, Summer.”

“Say what?”

“That you love me, too.”

A little devil danced on her shoulder. “Are you sure? I could’ve sworn—”

He released a playful growl and tightened his arms.

“Okay, okay. I love you, too, Cooper Carlyle. Husband. Rocker of my world.”

“Hmm. I like that—rocker of your world. Should we teleport the hell out of here so I can get to rocking?”

Heat coursed through her, and she almost agreed, but she didn’t want to disappoint her guests. With a regretful sigh, she shook her head. “We still have to cut the cake and do the whole bouquet toss.”

“Dammit, I hate tradition.”

Laughing, Summer lightly slapped his chest. “You donot, Sheriff Traditional.”

With a snort, he spun her around and dipped her. “For all you know.”

“I happen to adore you that way. You’re solid and dependable.”

“You make me sound like an old shoe.” Drawing her up, he gave her a mock glare.

She smirked. “Well, if the shoe fits…”

“Maybe I want to be more of a flip-flop. Did you ever think about that?”

“There’s no flop in your flip, babe. And that’s a good thing,” she said with a bawdy wink.

His bark of laughter triggered hers. “Let’s go cut that fucking cake so we can get out of here. My flip is straining the zipper of my pants.”

With a snigger of appreciation for his responding humor, she pulled him toward the DJ. “Tell him to announce it.” And seeing the wicked gleam in his eye, she slapped a hand over his mouth. “The cake cutting, not your strained-zipper issue.”

---