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She knew words weren’t enough, though. She needed to erase the rest of his worries, his fears—and all of the worries and fears that she’d so foolishly let take over her heart and mind—with a kiss.
A kiss of trust.
A kiss of hope.
A kiss of love.
A kiss that said she no longer cared what anyone else thought. Because Ashley knew deep in her heart that she, Nash, and Kevin were as meant to be as Cassie, Flynn, and Ruby.
“I know we can make it work, Nash. We already were making it work, but I was too scared to spread my wings and fly. Scared that I’d end up hurt again, the way I was when Josh left me to fend for myself. Scared that I’d feel like I made another mistake. But I always knew, deep inside the part of my heart that couldn’t help but love you from the very start, that you weren’t a mistake. Even if it isn’t always easy, I’m not going to back down. Because you were right when you said I’m brave. And I want my son to be brave too. So whether you’re here at my side in Bar Harbor, or if you’re on the other side of the planet, playing shows to thousands of fans who adore you, what you and I have will always be strong. Strong enough that nothing can ever come between us again. Especially not my ex and his threats. I was just using those as an excuse to stay in my safe little box.”
“We’ll make Josh see sense, Ash, whatever it takes. And you should know that I’m not planning to go halfway around the world anymore, not unless you and Kevin are with me.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I’ll never stop loving you, Ash. Never. My heart will always be yours.”
“And my heart will always be yours,” she whispered.
Their kiss solidified the vows they’d just made, vows to stand together no matter what, come hell or high water.
As they held on to each other, Ashley had never felt so happy in all her life, apart from the first time she held Kevin in her arms. She wasn’t blind to the fact that there were going to be struggles. Being in love with someone famous wasn’t easy—she knew that from talking with her own celebrity family members. But she didn’t care about any of that anymore.
Because she loved Nash. He loved her and Kevin.
And those were the only things that truly mattered.
“What do you say we go back to the wedding?” she said between kisses, “and show everyone again that true love really does conquer all? The same way it did for Cassie, Flynn, and Ruby.”
Nash looked at her with such love. And utter devotion. “Love is stronger than anything. You showed me that, snuggle wuggle.”
Laughing at the silly pet name he’d given her in Vienna, she said, “I can’t wait for all the adventures and all the fun the three of us are going to have, honey bunny.”
He drew her into his arms, and as he swung her around, her laughter was full of joy.
After one more lingering kiss, they headed back to the wedding, with Nash insisting Ashley jump onto his back so that she didn’t bruise her feet any more than she already had from running through the forest and down the road.
Once they were back in the garden, she hopped off onto the grass, and they walked toward her family, hand in hand. Ashley’s mother, Lola, Rory, and Zara were beaming, clearly pleased to see that Ashley and Nash had decided to make things work. And if Brandon, Hudson, Larissa, Turner, and Ashley’s father looked like they needed more convincing, well, there’d be plenty of time for that.
Because from this moment on, though no formal vows had yet been spoken, Nash, Ashley, and Kevin were forever.
* * *
After the wedding, Beth suggested that Kevin spend the night at his grandparents’ house so that he could teach Ethan how to play the new video game Kevin had been raving about. Though Ashley’s father didn’t look particularly pleased to know that Ashley and Nash would be completely alone for the evening, he knew better than to object.
Ashley’s mom had put her foot down with the family—she believed Ashley and Nash were meant to be together, and she wouldn’t hear a word against him.
Kevin had accepted the news that Ashley and Nash were a couple as if it was no big deal. “I figured you guys would probably start dating at some point. I could see how happy you make my mom,” Kevin said to Nash.
“She makes me just as happy,” Nash told Kevin. He grinned and put an arm around the boy. “And so do you.”
After they’d all seen the bride and groom and Ruby off—the little girl was thrilled to be joining her parents on the honeymoon to Hawaii—they called a tow truck for Nash’s van. Then Ashley and Nash decided to head to Josh’s house in her car.
