Page 126 of Third Time Lucky

‘This is amazing,’ she whispers, her voice filled with emotion.

‘You look beautiful,’ Aaron breathes out.

Madi blushes, a soft giggle escaping her lips. ‘And you look so handsome,’ she replies, stepping closer to him and straightening his tie.

That’s our cue. We leave the roof, and I do as I was told, bringing up the plates of food and delivering them without them ever noticing, as their eyes are only on one another.

* * *

As I get back downstairs, the chandeliers are sparkling, the bar is glowing, and our graffiti wall looks amazing bordered above and below with black lighting that makes it stand out amongst everything – we made that.

‘What do you think?’ Ash says, walking around the corner from the kitchen into the dining room. ‘This is the first time I’ve had it lit like it will be when we’re open.’

‘It’s gorgeous. If this is what the inside of your head looks like, I’m in the right place.’

He pulls his phone from his pocket and taps at the screen, the room filling with the sound of our youth. A song we danced to at the prom all those years ago.

‘Going all out with the memories, are ya?’

We glide across the floor without a plan or skill, just moving with one another however feels right.

‘I’d say Aaron inspired me, but that was all you.’

Good, God. This man. ‘Are you going to be sweet like this always, or…?’

‘Or nothing. This is for always, Luce. I’m not even trying; this is just me around you. I’m in love with everything about you, remember?’ he asks as if he needs a reminder.

‘I remember everything,’ I say, repeating back the phrase he used as he tried to convince me that prom way back when was not a pity date. He just wanted to see me smile.

He kisses me softly, sweetly, sliding a hand up my neck and only pulling away for a second before pecking another on my lips. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that all night.’

‘You and me both,’ I say, licking the taste of Jack Daniel’s from my lips. ‘I sort of wish we’d have re-met years ago.’

‘That would’ve changed where we are right now. And I love where we are. I love who we were. I love most of where we’ve been. But the universe had plans for us and the fact that we’ve been through what we have set us up for this moment,’ he says.

Be still my heart. This man.

‘This may sound completely ridiculous,’ he continues. ‘But I was sort of wondering if maybe you wanted to be my official girlfriend?’

He looks worried, as if there may be a chance I’d say no. Is he insane?! I’m having to stop myself from cartwheeling through the room right now.

I look up at him, my heart swelling ten sizes as I meet his gaze. He truly loves me; I’ve never been surer of anything.

‘Ash,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper. ‘I wouldloveto be your official girlfriend.’

He pulls me into a tight embrace, holding me close as if never wanting to let go. And I hope he never does.

‘You know, I was going to tell you this last night, but we got— busy,’ he laughs. ‘Anyway, you were right.’

‘About what?’

‘Thatwasa thirtieth birthday I’ll never forget. It may have been chaotic and confusing, but it brought me the greatest gift I’ve ever had – you. From here on out, all my birthday wishes will be about you.’

No.Now, be still my heart.

‘If we’re being cheesy – and FYI, I sort of like cheesy love – you should know that every star I wish on will be about you,’ I say in return.

They haven’t failed me yet, so why stop now?

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