“Lots of things, actually,” he responded in a lower voice, grinning lasciviously. “Nakedthings.”
“Hmmm…I’llthink about it,”Isaid, trying to keep my voice steady asIpretended to be uninterested.
I watched asArcher’sgrin got even bigger.Helikely knewIwas bluffing.Blastthis man for knowing my inner thoughts.
Archer released me from his embrace asAxelcame back to where we were standing and pulled out his phone. “Okay,Archer,Iam ready.”
He held the phone up as though to take our picture.Iturned toArcherto find out what he was talking about and sawArcherdown on one knee.
“I didn’t do this right the first or second time, soI’mhoping the third time is the charm,”Archersaid, holding out a small jewelry box. “Anna, will you marry me again—forever this time—and make me the happiest man in the world?”
I stared down at the jewelry box in his hand, opened to whatIwas sure was the most beautiful ring, thoughIcouldn’t see it very well because my eyes were clouding up with unshed happy tears. “Yes,Archer,I’llmarry you—again.”
He smiled and then stood and leaned in to kiss me.
“Okay,Igot the whole thing on my phone camera, butIstopped when you started kissing because it was weird feeling for me to record that,”Axelinterrupted.
I chuckled againstArcher’slips and felt him smile in return.Itook another look at the ring, trying to see what it was.Therewas a large square diamond in the middle, surrounded by two different-colored gemstones.Irecognized the one as turquoise.
“Is that my birthstone?”Iasked him, recognizing theDecemberbirthstone.
“Yes,”Archerresponded. “Andmy birthstone, ruby, next to it.Bothour birthstones together, forever.”
Oh myGod.
“It also matches the rubies in your band,” he said.Thesame bandIhadn’t taken off since we came back fromVegas.
I hadn’t wanted to.Asodd as our relationship had been over the years, it also just felt right.
I kept staring down at the ring, smiling, but it was getting harder to see it since more tears were coming now—happy tears.
“I love it,”Isaid, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I loveyou,”Archersaid in return, causing me to look up at him.Hewas also very blurry but still the most wonderful sightIhad ever seen.
“I love you, too,”Itold him before kissing him, pouring everythingIwas feeling in that moment into that kiss.
“Good,”Archersaid, removing his lips from mine. “Thentake me home and show me what the second-place prize includes.”
I laughed and then did exactly that.Wewent home, andIshowed him just how much he meant to me.
* * *
Five months later, we were married in his backyard.Itwas lateApril, so it was warm but not too hot yet.
It was a low-key affair with everyone fromRangerShieldSecurityin attendance, plus my entire family,TaliaandDan, andHector.I’dinsisted thatHectorcome since we likely wouldn’t be here without him.
Archer’s cousinVincewas his best man.Notwanting to pick between all my sisters and piss one of them off,IchoseSaraas my maid of honor instead.Yes, it prevented an argument with my sisters, but just likeHector,Ilikely wouldn’t be marryingArchertoday if it weren’t forSara.SoIwanted her by my side.
This time,Ihad bought a real dress—a wedding gownIhad always pictured myself in.Astrapless gown that poofed out at the waist—like a true princess ball gown.Therewas so much tulle fabric in this dress,Iwas amazed the factory didn’t run out.Otherthan the bottom half of the dress being huge, it was rather simple.Thebodice of the gown, however, was filled with beads, rhinestones, and lace.Iloved it.Inever wore such intricate things like this, but it felt appropriate for today, soI’dlet myself splurge.
“Your dress is all messed up in the back.Letme fix it,”Sarasaid behind me in the bathroom asIwas finishing getting ready.
“Girl, don’t you dare mess her hair up fixing that dress,”Valentinothreatened from beside us. “Thattook me over an hour to perfect!”
“I won’t,Ipromise,”Saracalmly informed him.
“You better not,”Valentinogrumbled.
