Page 48 of Stay With Me
Walking across the enormous garden, I see tiny twinkling lights scattered around the gazebo. As I get closer, I realize they’re candles. Dozens of them. My brows furrow in confusion as I reach the steps. Everett stands at the far railing, his back turned to me, looking out over the water. I take a moment to appreciate how absolutely delectable he looks right now. He has tailored black slacks on, perfectly fitted to his lean hips and thighs. His white dress shirt is tucked in, but the sleeves are rolled up in true Everett fashion, revealing every beautiful inch of artwork he's collected over the years. His usually messy hair is slicked back, combed neatly in place. He stands with his legs apart, hands in his pockets. So simple, but so fucking sexy I could climb on top ofhim right now.
“Hi,” I said quietly. He spins at the sound of my voice, flashing me a blinding smile that steals my heart all over again. “I feel a little underdressed.” I motion to his Foo Fighters tee hanging from my shoulders and my leggings.
“Never,” he says, his voice devilishly dark and gravelly. “This is exactly how I prefer you, goddess.” He reaches out a hand to help me up the steps, and my heart beats faster as soon as I touch his skin. A shiver racks my body as I come to stand in front of him.
“What’s all this?” I ask, not wanting to sound too hopeful.
“Well, I was thinking. Kelsea, I am sorry for springing everything on you before. I understand why you’re scared. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm scared, too. Scared that I won't be able to give you the kind of life you deserve,” he says.
“But Ev, you-” his slender finger covers my lips.
“Let me finish, please. I want to get all of this out,” he says, and I nod for him to continue. “I want to be the kind of man that makes every damn dream you have come true. But it’s not realistic for me to promise you that. I know that life gets in the way of big promises like that and when reality sets in, people are often left feeling disappointed. I don’t want that for us. So instead, I want to promise you I'll do everything within my power to make you happy and satisfied with our life together. I assure you there will be times when you want tostrangle me. We’ll fight and fuck and love each other so hard it hurts. Because I can promise you, Kelsea, if I don’t ask you to be mine, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life. I know in my fucking soul that you are the only one for me, Kelsea Sawyer.” the sincerity in his words takes my breath away. Tears stream freely down my cheeks as I choke back ugly sobs. He drops to his knee in front of me, just like I always imagined the perfect man would.
“Kelsea Scarlett Sawyer, will you-” he says, but I cut him off. He already said the rest yesterday and I already know my answer.
“Yes!” I reply, launching myself at him. I squish the jewelry box in between us in a rush to kiss him, and he has to throw one arm out to brace himself on the floor so we don’t topple over. But I don't care. I thread my fingers through his neatly coiffed hair, tugging at the roots as I pour every emotion coursing through me right now into this kiss.
He breaks away, laughing as he regains his balance and stands. “Damn, didn’t even want to see the ring first before you signed your life away?” He asks, holding up a green velvet box in the palm of his hand. I pick it up, snapping open the lid and gasping loudly when I see the most beautiful ring sparkling back at me. I couldn’t have created anything better if I’d designed it myself.
“Oh god, Ev. It’s beautiful,” I say as he plucks it from the box and slides it onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, justanother nod from the universe that this is where I’m supposed to be.
“Some day I’ll tell you the entire story about this ring. Just know that it really was meant for you to wear,” he says, brushing a rough finger over my knuckle. He pulls me back in for a searing kiss, his tongue exploring every inch of my mouth until I’m lightheaded, needing to take a breath before I pass out.
“I love you, Everett. There’s no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life arguing about reality TV and whose music is better than you,” I say with a smile.
“One day you’ll realize you’re just wrong and all will be solved, goddess,” he says with that signature smirk that kills me every single time.
epilogue
EVERETT
Standingin front of the mirror in the back room of my sister’s house, I shake out the sleeves of my black suit jacket. I didn’t have much of a say in the wedding planning, which was fine with me. The girls found a vision and ran with it. My only request was that I don't have to wait long to make Kelsea my wife. She wanted a year to plan, so I compromised and gave her six months. A knock on the door draws my attention and I turn to see my sister standing in the doorway in a stunning forest green satin dress.
“Sparky! Not too bad.” I pull her in for a tight hug.
“You look like you’re going to a funeral,” she says, gesturing to my black dress shirt, black silk tie, and black suit paired together.
“Hey, black is very flattering. Gotta make sure I lookmy best for your husband,” I say, quirking an eyebrow at her suggestively.
“You’re incorrigible,” she says, rolling her eyes at me.
“You wouldn’t have me any other way, Em,” I smirk.
“Would you look at us doing all this grown up shit? Getting married and having families. Can you believe that?” Ember jokes and I laugh.
“Honestly, no. I didn’t think this day was ever in the cards for me,” I tell her.
“Well, look where we are. You’re about to be somebody’s husband, Ev.” She beams back at me, so much joy and love in her eyes.
“Thank you, Ember. I feel like I could spend a lifetime thanking you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think I could have made it this far without you in my corner.” When I look over at her, her eyes are full of unshed tears. “I’m so grateful that we’ve both found our soulmates, but you’re always going to be my other half, Sparky.” I give my sister a gentle kiss on her temple.
“And you’ll always be mine, Ev. I love you so much. I'm so glad you pulled your head out of your ass long enough to lock down such a queen,” she jokes, elbowing me in the ribs. A knock on the door interrupts our hallmark moment as Elijah peeks his head through the door.
“You guys ready? Rory said Kels is gonna throw up or run away if we don’t hurry,” he asks, and Ember rolls her eyes.
“We’re ready! We’re coming right now,” Ember says,hustling her husband out of the room. “Meet you at the end of the aisle!”
I take a few more minutes alone, just letting the weight of today soak in. Picking up the ring box, I make my way out to the gazebo. Ever the romantic, it was Kelsea’s idea to say our vows in the same place I asked her to marry me. As I make my way down the aisle, I spot Rory and Amelia sitting in the front row. Jax and Willow are on the other side, the twins playing in the grass in front of them. Helo and Iris sit behind them and when I glance to the right again, I see Owen, Axel, and a few other guys from the Bayou Reapers making their way across the lawn. I didn’t expect to see them even though we extended the invitation. My smile is warm and wide as I shake their hands and make my way to the front of the aisle. In the shock of a fucking lifetime, Breaker offered to officiate our wedding. I had no idea he was qualified to do that, but I jumped at the chance. I think he’s a big softy on the inside. Deep, deep inside.
