The rain pounds harder against the awning above us, but I barely notice. All I can see is Phoenix, all I can hear is the certainty in his voice.
“I know,” I whisper. “I feel it too.”
“Good.” He pulls me closer, his forehead resting against mine.“Because whatever comes next, we face it together. As husband and wife. As partners. As equals.”
“Together,” I agree, and the promise feels as binding as any vow we spoke in that little chapel.
The rain shows no signs of letting up, and I see Phoenix making calculations in his head—how long we’ve been out, when I last ate, whether my blood sugar might be dropping.
“Come on,” I say, making the decision for both of us. “Let’s go back to the hotel. We can order room service and fall asleep watching terrible romantic movies.”
“Are you sure? If there’s anything else on your list—”
“The list is complete,” I interrupt. “Everything I wanted to do in Vegas, I’ve done. And I did it all with you.”
The smile he gives me could power the entire strip. “Then let’s go home. Well, hotel home.”
We make a mad dash through the rain, both of us shrieking and laughing as we get thoroughly soaked again. By the time we reach our hotel, we’re both dripping, breathless, and completely ridiculously happy.
I’ve never been so grateful to be on the ground floor in a hotel before. Phoenix’s hand is warm in mine, and I feel the weight of my wedding ring, solid and real as we rush for our door.
“Best bucket list ever,” I say as he slides the key card into our door.
“Wait until you see what I have planned for tomorrow,” he replies, and the mischief in his voice makes me grin.
“More surprises?”
“Always, Mrs. Evans. Always.”
Mrs. Evans.
The name sends a thrill through me every time I hear it. I’m still Clover Cadell in every way that matters, but I’m also Phoenix’s wife now. I’m part of something bigger than myself, something that feels like coming home and starting anadventure all at the same time.
As Phoenix opens the door to our room, I take one last look out onto the Vegas streets. Somewhere beyond the neon lights is the real world, with all its complications, dangers, and difficult conversations.
But for now, for tonight, it’s just us.
Just Phoenix and Clover Evans, completely soaked, happy, and hopelessly in love in a Vegas hotel room, with the rest of our lives stretching out ahead of us like an endless highway full of possibility.
What more could I want out of a romantic movie than that?
Chapter Twenty-Six
CLOVER
The Next Morning
The morning light filters through the cheap hotel blinds, painting a glow across Phoenix’s sleeping face. I’m lying here, tangled in his arms, still trying to process that this gorgeous, complicated man is now my husband. The cactus wedding ring catches the light on my finger, and I can’t help but smile.
Mrs. Evans.
The name still sends little thrills through me every time I think about it.
Phoenix stirs beside me, his arm tightening around my waist before he presses a sleepy kiss to my shoulder. “Morning, wife,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice rough with sleep and copious amounts of satisfaction.
“Morning, husband,” I whisper back, turning in his arms to face him. His eyelids are heavy, though content, and the smile he gives me could power the entire Vegas Strip.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my bare back.
