Page 72 of Yours Truly, Fall

I don’t want to waste time on words when I could be kissing this man. “Yes, always yes, Captain.” I bend down and kiss him like we shouldn’t be kissing in front of children. Deeply. Wholly. And when he slips that gorgeous ring on my finger, promises of forever and a family are sealed in our fate.

When we part, I wiggle my finger to catch the moonlight sparkles in the diamond. I dig in my pocket and pull out a box. “And here I thought you’d be happy I got you sardines.”

His nose scrunches as he stands, as if I’ve lost all his trust. “Sardines?”

“It was funnier in my head.” I start to laugh, though. “I know you hate sardines, but these are solid chocolate.” I toss the box behind him and say, “Forget the sardines. We’re getting married.” I kiss him again.

It just took years and a few wrong turns to get back on the right path. Now that we are, there’s one thing that will always hold true when it comes to the two of us. Brandon Culver and I were always going to end up together. One way or the other.

EPILOGUE

BRANDON

NOVEMBER . . .

It only felt right.

The time. That hour when the sky is golden just before sunset.

The place. A field where flowers bloom into early fall and many picnics took place.

The couple. Autumn and I.

Ours wasn’t the fastest love story despite rumors saying otherwise. We’re only months on the surface, a superficial marker for others to understand. We’re not months. We’re years, lifetimes in the making. Every event, memory, and chance we took put us on the path to get us here. And now that we are, we’ll never let anything detour us again.

Our love story won’t always make sense to everyone.

For her, I was a sworn enemy for a long time.

For me, I was born to love her.

We’re the only ones who need to understand, and now that we’re on the same page, sharing our lives, we’re more aligned than ever.

And deep down, I like to think she was in love with me all those years and just couldn’t admit it. I am, scratch that, I was the most eligible bachelor for four counties. She says three, but the title clearly states four. Anyway, only one title matters to me now. Husband.

Tucker tried to warn me that I’d want to skip town on the wedding day, but those feelings are normal and temporary. But he also made sure to mention that my truck has a full tank of gas and is parked in the driveway. Nerves haven’t gotten the best of me, though. The opposite has happened. I can’t wait to marry Autumn.

What do I have to fear by getting married?

Waking up every morning with someone who gives life meaning?

Having sex anytime we feel like it.

Eating dinner on the couch while watching movies together.

Seeing your best friend every day and getting to hang out all the time.

Having someone to confide in that always has your back.

Getting a text in the middle of a random Tuesday and knowing that’s code for sex and to get home fast.

I chuckle. I don’t know how we’ll endure such torture.

Sign me up. I’m all in.

So on a crisp fall day just before winter sets in, and the water lapping behind me as the musical guest, we’re doing just that, and starting our lives together sooner rather than later. We’ve waited long enough.

My heart is in my throat, and tears fill the corners of my eyes. I’m not an overly emotional guy, but seeing the love of my life on the arm of her grandmother, dressed in a creamy-white dress with her hair pulled back on one side and a small bouquet in her hands, walking to marry me—luckiest guy in the world.