Page 183 of The Archer Brothers

April greets us when we get to the spot where we’ll marry, right on the sands of SEAL beach. She suggested we find a different location because there’s a good chance we’ll have SEALs in training photobombing our photos. The thought made Evan and I laugh. If they did, we’d be okay with it. April also encouraged us to pick attendants and said no one likes to stand at the altar alone. We won’t be alone, we’ll have EJ, and while we technically have attendants, they’ll sit through the ceremony. Evan and I just want it to be the three of us up there.

She shows us where the chairs will go, where I’ll be before the ceremony starts, and where I’ll walk. April shows Evan where to stand and says we’ll do a couple of practice runs before we all head back to the house for dinner. When she signals to walk out, I slip off my shoes and sink my toes into the warm sand.

“Heaven,” I say aloud.

It takes us three times to get it right, and when April declares we’re ready for tomorrow, everyone cheers. Then, Carter yells, “Drinks are on me!” Which is funny since he didn’t pay for a single thing.

On the way back to our house, Evan puts his arm over my shoulder. “Tomorrow is the big day. Cold feet?”

“Not in the slightest.”

He leans down and kisses my nose without losing stride. “It’s been a long time coming. Tomorrow can’t get here fast enough. Do you really have to go to your parents?”

“My parents want one piece of this wedding to have some tradition to it.”

“Overrated,” he says with a smile. I like to blame my parents, but deep down, I want at least one thing to be traditional about our wedding, and if that means I have to give up a night with my Archer boys, I’ll do it.

When we get back to the house, Nate fires up the grill and starts cooking. Penny helps me with bartending while the moms sit out by the pool, watching the kids.

As soon as we serve dinner, Evan stands up and asks for everyone’s attention. “Ryley and I want to thank you all for coming over tonight and for being with us tomorrow. As you all know, I’ve waited what feels like eons to marry this girl, and I kick myself for not doing it when she turned eighteen. Sorry, Jensen.” Everyone laughs. “Whether then or now, the love I have for you, Ryley, has grown by leaps and bounds. From the day I met you and until the day I die, you will always be the love of my life.” Evan holds his beer bottle up, and we all follow with our drinks. “To my bride, tomorrow, I get to call you my wife, and that moment cannot come fast enough.”

“Here, here,” everyone says in unison as Evan leans down and kisses me.

“Are you sure you have to go to your parents?” he whispers in my ear. I nod against him. He sighs. “Fine, you’re forcing my hand.”

“What does that mean?”

Evan says nothing.

He winks.

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