Page 24 of Moonlight & Matrimony
I’m not ready to explain what the ranch means to me, so I deflect. “I think it’s best if we keep it small. Besides, there isn’t enough time to pull off something like that.”
“We don’t have to rush. With my ring on your finger, Austin won’t— ” My face falls and I watch in slow motion as his expression changes, realizing his mistake. Without hesitation, I stand from the bench to perch myself on his lap, planting a bruising kiss on his mouth to shut him up. The kiss isn’t heated, but I can feel his bulge beneath my ass and HOLY. FUCK. He’s hard as a rock. It takes a moment to reel myself in after I release him from the kiss.
A roll hits me in the back of the head, and Luca chuckles. “Seriously? At the dinner table?” Paige scolds, rolling her eyes. “What if you get married tomorrow at the chapel, and we can do a small reception afterwards at Rosie’s?”
We’re all at the mercy of my best friend, and I’m helpless to deny her anything. I retake my seat beside Rylin, and we pile our plates with pasta as Paige takes over the planning. By the end of the awkward dinner, she has a mile long list of notes for the day,and I’m left with a hell of a headache, and a thousand thoughts swirling through my mind. This time tomorrow, I’ll be married again. The thought sends me into a tailspin as the group chat blows up with a million notifications.
I take Rylin out to the tree swing, then step back onto the porch, rolling my shoulder to ease the tension. Taking a seat near the railing, I pull out my phone, bracing myself for the chaos that awaits.
Paige:Ivy’s getting married tomorrow! 5pm at the chapel, followed by Rosie’s to celebrate.
Cara: I think you skipped a few chapters, girl.
Dean: I didn’t know she was seeing someone. Who the hell is she marrying?
Cade: Luca.
Mags: WHAT?!
Liam: The plot thickens.
Miles: Not just the plot… ??
Cade: Jesus, Miles.
Miles: What? Obviously the ?? is good.
“Well… is it, sweetheart?” I’m so caught up watching the group chat get out of hand, I completely missed Luca hovering over my shoulder. He whispers in my ear, and my entire body responds, “Go on, Ivy. Answer them.” Ignoring my desire to jump his bones, I tap out a text.
Ivy: You all know I’m in this group chat, too, right?
Miles: So… can you confirm?
Ivy: I could but then I’d have to kill you.
Paige: Gross. Can we not talk about my brother’s junk?
Mags: It’s giving small ?? energy, Miles.
Cara: Can we get back to the topic at hand? When did all of this happen?
Luca laughs, and the sound has me clenching my thighs together. “Are they always this unhinged?”
“What? Oh. This is nothing. Watch this.”
Luca has been added to the chat.
Luca: Uh. Hi. ??
Dean: Welcome to the chaos, dude.
Luca: Happy to be here… I think?
Ivy: It’s a long story. We can explain it all tomorrow. Just say you’ll be there.
Mags: Congrats, Ivy! Send lots of pics. ??
Paige: You could just move here, Mags.
