“Hi,” I begin, then laugh nervously because, apparently, I’m capable of being nervous again, even after everything we’ve been through. “We wanted to tell you guys something.”
Sawyer’s grin turns feral.
Dean points at him. “Don’t you start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” Sawyer says, raising both hands. “I’m emotionally preparing.”
Colton exhales through his nose.
I glance at him, lips twitching. “You want to say it?”
He clears his throat, and the room leans in. That alone feels like a minor miracle.
“I’m not good at this,” he says plainly, which earns a few chuckles because it’s the most honest opening line he could’ve chosen. “So, I’m going to say it quickly before someone interrupts.”
Sawyer opens his mouth, and Dean elbows him hard.
Colton continues, unfazed. “Melissa and I decided not to wait.”
I feel his hand squeeze mine, grounding both of us, and then he holds up my hand to show it off.
“We didn’t want a big wedding,” I add, my voice steadier than I expected. “I didn’t want to do it all over again. I just wanted to marry the man I love and start our life.”
There’s a split second where the words hang in the air.
“You got married,” Roman says slowly, like he’s savoring it.
“We eloped,” Colton confirms.
The room explodes.
Aubrey gasps so loudly that she actually stands up. “You eloped? You eloped!” She rushes us immediately, wrapping her arms around me first, then her brother. “I knew it. I knewit was serious.”
Kayla lets out a shriek that probably violates some sort of noise ordinance. “Oh my God. Oh my God. You’re married.”
Sawyer stares between us, stunned. “You skipped all of us?”
Colton deadpans, “That was the appeal.”
Laughter ripples through the room, easing the initial shock into something warm and celebratory. Lincoln’s wife wipes at her eyes. Dean claps Colton on the shoulder, like he’s proud of him in a way that feels deeper than words.
Someone shoves champagne into our hands.
Aubrey pulls back enough to look at me seriously. “Are you happy?”
The question is quiet, intentional.
I nod without hesitation. “Very.”
She smiles, eyes shining. “Good. Because he’s been unbearable lately.”
Colton groans. “Traitor.”
“And,” I add, raising my glass slightly before the chaos can fully take over again, “there’s one more thing.”
That gets everyone’s attention back.
“It seems kind of obvious given what we announced, but we’re moving in together,” I say. “I’ll be living here.”
