Page 98 of That Kind of Guy

“According to our records, your copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love is six years overdue.”

The guests broke out in laughter. A grin pulled at his features.

“Whoops.” He shuffled his papers and mock-winced at the guests. “Wrong paper.”

I burst out laughing, and he grinned at me while the laughter died down. He took a breath, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he glanced at his papers. A flicker of nerves flashed across his face before he covered it back up with his usual smug confidence.

“Avery, I knew I liked you the second I saw you.” His voice rang out clear and loud in the room. “You were brand new in town and serving at The Arbutus, and I saw a beautiful girl and wanted to sit in her section, but there were no available tables.” He glanced up at me, and I tilted my head, curious. He had never told me this. “So I went back, but again, there were no available tables. I went back again. That time, I was finally in your section, but you were about to go on break.” A few laughs among the guests. “Seven times, I ate at that restaurant in a week until I finally got to talk to you.” His mouth hitched with the memory. “And you wouldn’t give me the time of day.”

He glanced up at me and back down at his paper, and I watched with awe. I had to give it to him, that sounded so genuine.

“But after a couple years, I wore you down.” He swallowed and blinked at his paper. “Avery Adams, you are the most hard-working, funny, intelligent, independent, determined person I know. You’re fiercely protective of everyone in your life. You take care of your people, your staff, your friends, and of me.” When he met my gaze, his was full of sincerity and vulnerability. “I wasn’t ready for that, and I wasn’t ready for how hard I’d fall for you.”

My stomach did a delicious roll forward. I gave him a small smile and reached out for the hand not holding the paper. He squeezed my fingers.

“I never expected to find someone I trust and respect so much, someone I want to talk to and see every day.” He glanced up at me again, and my heart expanded at the vulnerable, open expression on his face. “Someone I want to wake up with every day. You are what my life was missing, and I didn’t even realize it until I found you, but I have no plans to let you go. I love you, Avery Adams. I love you, and I’m never letting you go. That’s the deal.”

He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. My heart beat in my ears. That sounded so real, and I wanted it to be, more than anything. His hands brushed mine, and my head swirled with feelings, both light, happy, delirious feelings and uncertain, surprised, confused feelings.

Wyatt looked at me and nodded. “Go for it.”

I turned to Hannah, who stood and passed me my vows. I unfolded them, aware that everyone was waiting. My pulse raced.

Emmett smiled down at me softly, and when I smiled back, the tension within me immediately eased. Right. This was going to be fine. I reached out and slipped my hand into his. His warm fingers brushed against the back of my hand, and I took a steadying breath.

“I didn’t like you when I first met you.”

Emmett let out a bark of laughter. Some chuckles rose up from the guests as well.

I shook my head at him, grinning. “I really didn’t like you. I thought you were the schmooziest, fakest, most insincere person I’d ever met. How could someone be friends with everyone?”

He gave me an amused, lopsided smile. I cleared my throat. “Then, I got to know you, and everything changed.”

The paper shook in front of me. I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes for a brief moment while Emmett’s warm hand squeezed mine. It was hard to say these things, even if this whole thing wasn’t real.

I was just going to tell the truth.

“The Emmett I now know is the most selfless person.” I glanced up into his grey eyes, so full of affection and warmth. Okay, this wasn’t so bad. “You’d do anything for a friend, and you’re friends with everyone.”

Emmett laughed, and my heart burst with pride. I loved it when he did that.

I scanned the front row of guests and locked eyes with Elizabeth. We smiled at each other. “That’s you, Emmett. I like spending time with you more than anyone. I used to like being alone. I valued my solitude, but I like being around you more. I love how warm and caring you are, how you take care of me, how you make me laugh, and how impulsive you are.” I met his gaze, and he was looking at me like I was the woman he was about to marry for real. My chest panged. “It wasn’t easy for me to trust you, but I took a leap and I’m so happy I did.” I swallowed thickly, hesitating.

I promised myself to tell the truth.

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to take as good care of you as you do of everyone else. I love you.”

Emmett’s hand came to my chin, and he covered my mouth with his. The soft brush of his lips over mine was such a relief I sighed against his mouth. I inhaled him, his intoxicating, masculine scent. His arm came around my waist to pull me closer to him and I didn’t even care that he was nearly crushing me against him, I was kissing him back hard and my head swirled. My heart raced, not with nerves this time, but with exhilaration. I told the truth, and I said I loved Emmett.

I was deliriously happy.

He pulled my hair lightly, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss and his tongue swiped mine. A soft moan escaped my throat. This was incredible, this kiss. My head spun. I could have done this forever. This wedding thing wasn’t so scary after all. It was actually incredible.

We were two people in a crowd of over a hundred, but it felt like we had the room to ourselves.

“Kiss the bride,” Wyatt said in a dry tone beside us.

The guests laughed and we broke apart. Right, the rest of the wedding.

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