“Wanna go back to Vegas?”
He pumps his brows. “Can we?”
I grin and turn my lips to his. ”Not yet.”
Epilogue
Karli
CHRISTMASDAY
“Is your family going to kill us?” My hands tremble, and I squeeze them together.
“What? No. My mom’s going to love it.” Trent kisses my cheek, the rough brush of his beard making me lightheaded in the most perfect way.
“Most people surprise their loved ones with puppies on Christmas, or new iPhones, or something. Not this.”
He pumps his eyebrows. “Yeah, this is way better.”
I’m doubtful, but I’m also in love and reason went out the window a month ago. Even if my mother came in here screaming and yelling—which she won’t because she hasn’t reached out—I’d still be doing this. The excitement bubbles up in my chest.
“You look gorgeous, by the way.” Trent snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. Thousands of little chains tinkle under his shirt.
“Trent Gerald Bentley! You’re not wearing that!”
“Yes, I am.”
“But I didn’t wear my princess dress.” I laugh.
“What are you talking about? You are the definition of a princess.” He spins me around, my short ivory dress twirling around me. The delicate sequin flowers catch the light at the bottom of the skirt. There are long lace sleeves with matching sequin flowers running up the arm and a big cut-out in the back.
Trent’s hands both find that spot, and each graze of his fingers sets off mini fireworks in my chest.
“Ready to be my queen?” He murmurs.
Commitment like this used to terrify me, but now it invigorates me because after years of searching, I’ve finally found my place.
“Let’s do this thing.”
It’s Christmas Day. We spent the morning with Trent’s family. Now, we are getting married. Only, no one knows but Sean. Now that I’m thinking about it, that also might mean that everyone knows. Over the last month, he and Trent have worked things out. I don’t know the specifics, I didn’t ask, but apparently, there was a mud pit involved. Boys. Thankfully it worked and they are closer than ever, and we have him to thank for us getting together, so he took an online certification and will be marrying us right before family dinner. Which is happening in ten minutes.
Trent pulls out his phone and texts Sean. A moment later, his phone buzzes with a response. “He says we’re good to go.”
Butterflies take off in my chest and Trent pulls me in again. “Any last concerns?”
“Only one.” I run my fingers up his neck, then into the hair behind his ear. “Who gets to drive the van?” Trent claims he didn’t like Bertha, but a couple of weeks ago he discoveredVanstagramand became obsessed with the tiny corner of the internet dedicated to van life. This morning he surprised me with the keys to a fully refurbished van. Honestly, I'm not sure who was more giddy about it, me or him. Our new van is a light, happy yellow. Her name is Betty, and she will go far. Or at least to the West Coast for our honeymoon.
“I’ll defer to my queen.”
“Good answer.”
A song starts playing through the house and I take a deep breath. Time to marry the man I love. I’m not scared, far from it. I’ve never been so happy.
We creep out of the room and down the stairs.
“Sean, stop playing with my speakers,” Trent’s mom says. “We are about to eat dinner.”
We hit the last step and Sean beams at us. “Actually, we are about to have a wedding.”
