Page 181 of Forever Love

Vince

Nick left a few minutes ago to take Maia’s note to her and bring back the one she wrote for me. It’s sappy as hell, but I loved writing it. I’m not necessarily sappy by nature, but I like being that way with her. I always want her to know the depth of what I’m feeling.

The dads left a little while ago to check on things and make sure everything is ready, leaving Braden and me alone in the room.

It’s not necessarily awkward, but there’s some weight here—I’m marrying his ex, after all.

“Well, add this to the list of things I never thought I’d be doing,” Braden says, helping me fix my drooping boutonniere.

“You mean being a groomsman for me as I married Maia wasn’t on your what-the-future-will-look-like bingo card?”

He chuckles as he leans over, squinting at the pin. “Not so much. But this last year has been a crash course in what life actually is versus what I thought it would be.”

He pulls the pin out of my shirt and sets the boutonniere on the table. “Dude, this thing is a wreck. Just skip it. We both know Maia won’t care.”

“No, she won’t,” I say, buttoning up my suit coat and fixing my tie.

“Nervous?”

I tilt my head back and forth. “Mostly excited. How are you feeling?”

He shrugs. “Okay. It’s still a little weird sometimes, but after falling for someone else… it’s easier. I understand a lot of the places where Maia and I weren’t a good match now. I mean, I think wecouldhave made it. But neither of us would’ve been as happy. Some days that’s still hard to think about, but we’ve come so far and we’re both in better places and happier than we’ve ever been. That’s awesome.”

I nod softly as I look at him, then put a hand on his shoulder. “Please know I will always respect who you are to her—and to Harper. I will never try to take your place.”

“I appreciate that.” He sighs dramatically. “Come on.” I laugh as he pulls me into his arms and gives me a hug.

“Funny. I thought you were marryingMaia,” Nick says, striding back into the room with an asshole smile on his face.

“Ah, we thought we’d go for the reverse harem thing,” Braden quips, pulling away.

Nick rolls his eyes and holds out a small envelope. “For you.”

I take it from him, already feeling emotional. Braden looks between the two of us, then claps me on the shoulder and says, “I’ll see you out there.”

I nod, eyes still on the letter.

“You know, I’m not sure I ever said this to you, but I love seeing you so happy. Even in the hard moments, I’ve never seen you like you are with her. I’m glad you found that,” my brother says sincerely.

“Thanks.”

He nods and turns for the door. When he’s halfway out, he calls back, “Oh, and I told you so!”

Pain in my ass.We’ll never hear the end of it—himknowingMaia and I were in love with each other. We knew it too. We just didn’t tell each other.

Shaking my head, I lean against the wall and pull the note open.

Vin,

I’ve tried to start this so many different ways, but haven’t found a good place to start. Mostly because what I feel for you is too big for this little piece of paper. I’m not sure anyone has ever come up with the words to do love justice. I’m not even going to try. I’m simply going to say that I love you. The words don’t mean as much as the feeling in my heart when I think them, or the look in my eyes when I say them. Those are the things that tell just how deeply I love you. And today, I promise to protect that love with everything inside me. I promise to be your safe place and your comfort, to talk you through panic attacks, and make you laugh at my terrible jokes. I promise to lean on you when I’m struggling and ask you for help—even if I can’t bring myself to ask anyone else.

I didn’t see us coming, but I’m so glad it gobsmacked me. You’re the dream guy. And I can’t wait to spend my life checking things off my wish list with you.

P.S. Try not to get too worked up when you see me in this dress.

Love you, my Norse god.

XO

Maia

I stare at the note, smiling to myself. As I tuck it away, there’s a knock on the door.It’s time.

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