Page 127 of Third Time Lucky

As we sway together in the empty dining room, I feel like everything has fallen into place. Aaron and Madi’s love blossoming on the rooftop (in a place I can’t see) only adds to the magic of this evening. And so, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world, I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart under the soft glow of the restaurant lights. This is my happy place. And I never saw it coming. Not in a million years would I have guessed that Asher Wright would be the one to make me believe in love again. He’s unlocked a part of me that I never thought was possible – a love that is pure, strong and secure. I don’t know the right words to describe how I feel right now – content, loved, in love, safe and blissful – all at once. But whatever they are, that’s exactly how I always want to feel in Asher’s arms.

EPILOGUE

ASHER

Six Months Later

‘If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…’

I hold Lucy’s hand tightly and silently.

‘I can’t believe they’re doing this,’ she whispers.

That’s right. Aaron sweet-talked us into going on our yearly Vegas trip as a ‘double date,’ and we’re currently stone-cold sober while Aaron and Madi get married. I had no idea they were doing this, but here we are. We have an itinerary. They’ve made plans. All it took for Aaron to man up was a strong woman.

As the officiant waits for a response, Lucy’s hand trembles in mine – anxiety. She’s had a hard time back in Vegas, and when they told us what they were doing today, she pretty much froze in fear.

And just as the weight of the silence becomes almost unbearable, a voice rings out from the back of the chapel.

‘I object…’

Our heads snap to the back, hearts standing still, especially poor Lucy’s – I know because she’s now gripping my hand like a vice.

‘…Tonotofficiating this wedding,’ the voice continues, now making his way up the aisle and removing the current officiant, taking his place. ‘Traffic was a bitch. Now, let’s fall in love.’

Thank all the Gods that it’s not some ex-partner but only Elvis insisting he officiates the wedding.

‘I think my heart stopped for a second,’ Luce whispers, her free hand raises to her chest.

I’d warn her that it might stop later tonight, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise.

I steal a glance at Aaron and Madi, standing side by side with beaming smiles on their faces. It was their dream for Elvis to marry them in Sin City, where they began. Finally, Aaron looks at peace, like a man who has found his place in the world.

As he slips the ring onto Madi’s finger, a sense of happiness fills the room, and I can feel the genuine love between them radiating outwards. It’s infectious.

A soft smile plays on Lucy’s lips as she leans her head on my shoulder, her fingers intertwined with mine. The ceremony carries on around us, but in that moment, it feels like we are the only two people in the room. I want her to be beside me for every moment of my life.

Yes, I have a plan and a ring box tucked away in Aaron’s jacket pocket for safekeeping until the timing is right. There’s not a chance Lucy’s going home this weekend without replacing a bad memory with a great one. But I want our moment to be ours and not shared with the whole world like the last time she was in Vegas.

The ceremony concludes with Aaron and Madi sealing their vows with a kiss. We and the chapel employees burst into cheers and applause as the newlyweds make their way down the aisle, Elvis leading the way with a guitar in hand.

‘How lovely do they look?’ Mitzi says, throwing wedding chapel-shaped confetti at the couple as they walk past.

Yep, we brought Mitzi. She’s such a huge part of our lives that there’s not a lot we don’t do with her. In Vegas she spends most of her time in the hotel we’re staying in, meandering around buffets and casino floors, but she couldn’t miss this.

Without a word, we both rise from our seats and follow the crowd outside. The neon lights of the Vegas strip illuminate the night as we step onto the bustling sidewalk.

‘Did you ever imagine we’d end up here together? Or that my best friend and your brother would marry one another?’ Lucy asks as we walk hand in hand, the sounds of the city swirling around us.

‘I never imagined it, but I’m grateful for every twist and turn that brought us here,’ I reply, squeezing her hand gently.

A car pulls up next to us, and I stop, heading its way.

‘What are you doing?’ Lucy asks, pointing at Aaron and Madi, who are at least a block ahead of us and clearly on a mission.

‘We’ve got one more stop, and we’re Ubering there, for Mitzi’s sake.’

She looks between me and Mitzi, confusion plastered on her face. ‘OK…’ she says, getting into the Uber’s back seat and sliding over for me.

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