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Wyatt:

Zach:Wow. One finger. Beats a thumb I guess.

Asher:At least his priorities are clear.

Autumn:Okay, Jesse and Bennett are here “pregaming.” Whatever that means? They’re talking about getting strippers. HELP.

Zach:Strippers? That’s interesting. Bet Wyatt’s kicking himself for not coming now.

Autumn:CAN YOU ALL STOP TYPING and get yourselves to the damn party.

Eden laughs so hard she nearly drops the phone, her curls bouncing, her cheeks pink. And help me, that dress she’s wearing should be outlawed. My hand finds her hip almost on instinct, sliding under the hem as I press my mouth to her ear.

“You know,” I murmur, “if half of them aren’t there yet, that means we have a bit of time.”

Her breath hitches. “They’re all scared of Autumn. We have five minutes at best.”

“Five minutes is enough.” I turn her toward me, and the laugh dies on her lips as I kiss her, deep and hungry, her body softening into mine like she was made for it.

When we break apart, she’s breathless, her eyes bright. “There’s no way you can do it in five minutes,” she points out. And she’s right, because I like to savor this woman. Long nights in bed together. Tangled in each others bodies. Which is easier now that Bennett has moved out and is rooming with Jesse, the two of them living their best single lives.

I still grin, never one to walk away from a challenge. “I could get you off in two if I wanted. But I wasn’t talking about sex.” For once.

Instead of pulling her clothes off, I pull the small box from my pocket, my heart pounding harder than it ever has before.I had the ring designed months ago. A single diamond, pear set, sparkling and clear. Not mined, but recycled. The band is simple. Perfect for the woman I love. It was ready last week, and it’s been burning a hole in my pocket ever since.

I drop to my knee, making her blink. And when she sees the ring box, and puts her hand on her chest.

“Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” I say, my voice thick. “Again. No Vegas chapels, no contracts, no pretending. Just us, standing in front of your crazy family, vowing that we choose each other forever.”

Her lips part, her eyes glistening as she stares at me. Then she whispers, “Yes please. I’d love to.” She leans toward me, watching me closely, as I put the ring on her finger. It slides neatly into place beside the others.

She laughs softly, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Guess I’m wearing all of them. Every promise you’ve ever made me.”

My throat burns. How does she always know what to say to stun me into silence?

Her phone buzzes again.

“Autumn just threatened to start stripping herself,” Eden says, wrinkling her nose.

“She’s seven months pregnant.”

“I think that means we should go now.” She pouts, looking at her hand again, her brand-new ring gleaming in the light. “Hey, do you think we can miss our own party?”

“I think your family will hunt us down if we do.”

“You’re right.” She wrinkles her nose. “I guess we can make it quick, right? ‘Hello, thanks for coming, goodbye, I want to be the one coming’.”

I laugh at how dirty she can be. And God help me, I’ll follow her anywhere. Because this woman is all I need.

EDEN

The Salty Dog is already a hive of activity when we finally walk through the door. Pink and silver balloons are taped to the walls, streamers draped across the rafters, and someone has hung a sparkly “Almost Mrs.” banner right above the bar.

“That should say Definitely Mrs.,” West mutters under his breath. “I should tear it down.”

His hand tightens around mine as I beam up at him.

“Don’t you dare. This is amazing.”