Page 267 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Like, right now?” I looked around, checking if there was a pastor hiding or something.

“No, soon. Or however long you want to wait. Let’s just not wait ten years like Levi and Gab.”

I giggled softly.

“Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I whispered, and he pulled me into him.

His kiss lit up my whole body. Giving me everything I had missed and hoped for. I wondered how anything could ever be this perfect. That entire weekend, I don’t think we ever left the bed or put clothes on.

~

Planning a wedding was so much easier when it wasn’t mine or decorating it at least. It took me seven tries to get the arrangement exactly how I wanted it. Buttercups and lilacs don’t necessarily go together, so it was hard to mix it in. But I was determined to have both our favorite flowers. I mellowed the color difference with baby’s breath and white roses. The azaleas helped too.

I finally got it right and could focus on other things. Ivy designed my dress from scratch, a beautiful dress very similar to the one I wore at the ball. The only difference was it was white.

“You, look amazing.” Ivy looked over me in the mirror.

The big day was finally here. Because of our work schedule, it did take a year to finally make it to the altar, but it was perfect.

“Thank you and thank you so much for making it.” I hugged her tight. She looked beautiful in her light purple gown as well. I was so lucky to have a friend like her.

“Can you help me with the train? I need to check the flowers.” She rolled her eyes but helped me with it.

“I have never seen a bride arranging her own flowers.” Ivy commented as I worked on the altar arrangement. I did hire someone, but I tweaked it just a little bit.

We had a beautiful arch way of buttercups and lilacs we would stand under when we said our vows. I couldn’t wait.

Our relationship was quite the struggle. It took me a month to even find him that first time. And another to let him love me. But I was so ready to marry him.

As I stood across from him at the altar; it all came into focus.

He wasn’t a prince. But he sure was my Mr. Charming.

Hot Pursuit

A Bad Boy Mob Romance

Nicole Elliot

ONE

Jack

I was sitting at my desk with my feet up, legs crossed, leaning back on my reclining office chair. My expensive crocodile skin boots shone as I studied them, reflecting the harsh light illuminating the Police Department's main office area.

I’d been told the crocodile skin was sustainably farmed by the guy I’d bought the shoes from, but I couldn’t really care less. They were hot as hell, and that’s what mattered.

I was still studying my new boots when a beat cop knocked sarcastically on my desk, grinning at me.

I looked up, slightly glad to be awoken from my bored reverie.

“Storm. How’s things with you, bro?” he said, frowning at my boots as he spoke.

“Those real?” he added.

I glared at him. “‘Course they’re real, Lucas. What do you take me for, some sort of tight ass?”

He laughed. I’d known Lucas since before the Police Academy, when we’d both been drinking buddies. We didn’t go to school together, but knew each other through mutual friends in our small, close knit hometown. He was used to my dry humor.

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