Page 76 of Hogging the Hunk

“That’s probably not such a good idea,” Wil interjected. “We’ve all seen your work. It’s a miracle if you can hammer in a nail straight.”

Everyone laughed and I could feel it coming out of Milo, deep within his chest. I leaned into it. None of this was going according to plan, and honestly, I couldn’t care less. These were the good times with the people I loved that would make for a full and happy life. No need to rush them along.

“I almost feel bad for you,” Remi said, herding the conversation to me.

Wondering why, I shook my head. “What for?”

“This would have been a good time to surprise us with your engagement. But, we all found out about it a couple weeks ago. Otherwise, you’d have some good news to share today, too.”

Remi couldn’t have set up our announcement any better if she’d tried. Seeing Ellie give me the thumbs up, I knew it was time. Milo and I had a honeymoon to get to in The Great Smoky Mountains by this evening.

“Actually…” I chewed my lower lip, unsure of how to word the surprise we had.

“Beckett and I planned this gathering because we do have some good news.” He took a breath and stared deep into my eyes. I was sure before, but with his loving gaze, it was reaffirmed all over again. Yes, I wanted to marry this man. “We’re getting married.”

Parker laughed. “We know. About time.”

Milo rested his hand on my shoulder. “We’re getting married today.”

“Today?” Maren’s hand flew up over her mouth. “Beckett, you’re not pregnant, too, are you?”

“No!”

“Good, ‘cause if you were…” Maren warned. “Dr. Fox and I would have to have words.”

“Oh, my gosh, Maren. No. We’re not in a hurry to get married because I’m pregnant. We’re getting married today because even waiting two weeks was long enough. I’m ready to make Milo my husband.”

Clapping and bouncing on the pads of her bare feet, Remi cheered for us. “Is this the best day ever or what?”

Everything happened in a well-orchestrated flurry. Ellie, an organized planner after my own heart, produced a checklist of what was needed to transform the family and friends gathering into a quaint and cozy wedding. The cake and flower arrangements showed up precisely when we’d scheduled delivery, the photographer and her assistant popped up out of their hiding spot in the loft, and Trixie, Remi, and Hudson agreed to be my impromptu bridesmaids, with Maren standing in as the Matron of Honor. Ellie was the cutest flower girl I’d ever seen, her face flushed with excitement and baby’s breath weaved into her plaited hair. She’d even trained Truffle to be the ring bearer with a special basket she carried in her mouth. Secretly, I hoped Truffle wouldn’t try to eat my ring, too… if she did, Milo would get it back. He’d recovered stranger things from other peoples’ animals.

All the other details I assumed I needed when I planned my future wedding as a little girl were irrelevant. All I needed were a few close friends, family, and most importantly, the right man.

Milo was that guy and then some.

“Are you ready for this?” Milo asked, snagging me and luring me to a corner for some privacy. “I know I’ve asked you a dozen times before, but I want to make sure this is what you want.”

There was no need to think before I spoke. There was no need for words, either. Raising my lips to Milo’s, I kissed him with all the sincerity within me. He drew me close, and I clung to him, my hands running over his muscled shoulders, down to his biceps, then venturing to the straight line of his jaws. Milo was more than I could have ever hoped for. He completed me in a way I hadn’t known was possible.

Resting my forehead against his, I needed a minute to catch my breath. “Does that answer your question?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Crystal clear.”

“I love you, Milo. Today, tomorrow, forever.” I pressed one more kiss against his lips, pretending it was as practice for our first when we were announced as husband and wife. “Now, let’s go get married.”

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