Page 181 of The Husband Game

“I don’t need time to think about it. I want to grow old with you,” Charlie whispered. “Get wrinkly and saggy and be okay with it because I know you’ll still love me.”

The look of awed happiness on Dustin’s face made Charlie laugh wetly and bury his head against Dustin’s shoulder.

No one had ever looked at him that way.

No one had ever made him feel so much.

No one had ever made him feel like he could fly.

No one had ever promised him forever and meant it.

Dustin pressed his lips against his hair and whispered, “I want that too.”

And what more was there to say? Well, maybe there was one thing …

“Let’s stay married,” Charlie said, lifting his head and looking Dustin straight in the eye. “Let’s get married again. Will you? Will you marry me again, Dustin Fowler? For real this time?”

Dustin’s smile stretched so wide it lit Charlie up from the inside out. “It’s always been real for me, kitten.”

“Is that a yes?” Charlie arched his eyebrow.

Laughing, Dustin took Charlie’s hand, kissing his wedding rings. “You know it is. Just say when and where.”

“Next summer, I think. And maybe in our backyard. We’ll call it a vow renewal or one year anniversary and invite our family and friends to celebrate with us this time.” Charlie smiled. “All of the people who had no idea the first ceremony wasn’t quite the love match they imagined.”

“Sounds good to me.”

But as Charlie thought about what Emily had said about pieces of paper and jewelry not making a relationship a marriage, in his heart, he knew it was true.

Legally, he’d been married to Dustin before he’d fallen in love with him. Long before he’d contemplated spending his life with Dustin.

But even if someone told him there was a legal mix-up and their marriage wasn’t valid, Charlie would still feel married.

“I know it took me longer to get here than it took you,” he said quietly as he lifted Dustin’s hand and gently grasped the wedding band. “But I do love you, Dustin. I want to promise you I am here for you, in sickness and in health. Til death do us part.”

When Dustin pressed their lips together, Charlie wished he had more than a hazy memory of their wedding.

But he threaded his hands through Dustin’s hair and kissed him back, silently promising himself and Dustin that he’d spend every day from here on out proving how much he meant those vows.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“You’re definitely not moving back to Chicago now, are you?” Taylor asked drily as he let Charlie into the house he shared with Jamie and Ava.

“Uhh, no,” Charlie admitted as he kicked off his shoes. “I’m definitely not.”

“Damn it.” Taylor made a face. “I am happy for you though.”

“Yeah?” Charlie tilted his head to study his face.

Taylor smiled. “Yeah. When you called to tell me all about what happened at the gala a couple of weeks ago, I could hear how much better you sounded. You seemed … settled.”

“I feel a lot more settled.”

“Good.” Taylor’s voice was firm as he tucked his arm into Charlie’s. “I want to hear all about it.”

“Hold up. I believe you promised me sangria to go along with the girl talk.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten.” Taylor grinned and took his hand. “C’mon, I have us all set up downstairs.”

---