Page 86 of The Exception

“What is this?” There was a thump-thump in my chest, but I didn’t dare make assumptions.

Eli and Joystick both fell to one knee in front of me.

Oh. Oh my.

“Eli wrote this, but I made him let me say it.” Joystick grasped the fingertips of my right hand, while Eli took my left.

A nervous laugh escaped my chest. I could almost picture that conversation.

Eli squeezed my hand. “Joystick wanted to do this at the premier, and Andrew agreed, but I told them you didn’t want that. This is about us. Only us”

“My life—our lives—changed forever the first time I saw you. The first time I talked to you. Heard you laugh. Tasted your kisses. We don’t want to—can’t—go back to life without you,” Joystick said.

Was he…? Were they…?

“Marry us,” Eli added.

My knees were weak. The room swayed.

“Those were my lines,” Joystick hissed.

Eli shrugged. “Who knew being quiet could be so hard?”

“Me.” Joystick looked at me again, and so did Eli.

“Marry us?” They said in unison.

My legs didn’t work. I was too stunned. Too happy. And I was on my knees too. “Yes.” That was what I was supposed to say. AndGodit felt good. “Yes, of course yes.” Forget good, it felt fucking incredible. “Always and forever, yes.”

And then they were kissing me. Joystick cradled my face in his hands and nipped my lips. Eli stole me away to devour my mouth.

Through it all, I laughed, I sighed, I was pretty sure tears were flowing, I was so happy. It all fell between more kisses.

“Wait. Andrew knew?” The rest of my brain caught up, but I refused to be too distracted from the moment.

Eli caught my earlobe between his teeth and tugged before letting go. “Joystick wanted to be proper and ask permission for your hand.”

That was both sweet and annoying. “What if Andrew saidno?”

“I would’ve decked him and done it anyway.” Joystick made it sound like the only reasonable answer. “But I was trying to be appropriate and respectable.”

I was laughing again. “Don’t. Never do that again.”

“Do what?” Joystick asked.

“Be appropriate and respectable. That’s not what she loves you for.” Eli knew exactly what I was thinking.

“What he just said.” I voiced my agreement.

Joystick tried to pout, but he was grinning too hard. Kissing me again and again. “Cross my heart,” he murmured.

This was perfect. Wonderful. Better than I thought I’d deserved, for the longest time. And it was something I’d never give up, no matter what.

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