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“Your grandma just cornered me about having kids,” I tell him as he leads me into the living room.
“Well?” he pushes. “Did you tell her we’re trying?”
“No!” I release a nervous laugh. “Your mom walked up, and needless to say, it was awkward.”
“Get used to it. Grandma’s relentless,” he says into my neck.
“I heard that!” she scolds, walking around with a plate of cookies. I take one, but I’m not sure I can even eat it. I might not be pregnant, but I definitely have a food baby. But you never deny Grandma Bishop’s food. I learned that the hard way. She rounds us all up, and we somehow manage to all fit in the living room. Once she hands out presents to her kids and grandkids, we open them, chatting and laughing. It’s not until everyone’s done that she and Grandpa unwrap theirs. I can’t help but look around the room and feel so damn grateful for getting to be a part of this family, one so welcoming and loving, I can’t imagine life without them all.
Just as his grandparents finish thanking everyone for their gifts, Riley stands and says he has an announcement to make. I look at him curiously because I have no idea what he’s going to say. All eyes are on him, which makes me nervous as hell.
“So everyone knows that Zoey and I eloped in Vegas, thanks to my best friend who dared us to get married…” He smirks, and laughter fills the room. “Come up here, my gorgeous bride.” Riley grabs my hand and pulls me up so we’re face to face. I furrow my brows at him, my heart racing at the unwanted attention.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, but he just winks before dropping to one knee. He opens a black velvet box with a beautiful diamond ring inside. Then he takes my hand, and we lock eyes.
“You’re already my wife, the best thing that has ever happened to me by far. I know you risked so much to be with me, and I’m glad you did. I love you so damn much, baby. Will you marry me…again?”
I glance down at the cheap novelty ring he bought me at the chapel in Vegas and haven’t been able to part with it.
“Well?” he nervously asks when I don’t respond.
Blinking, I smile wide. “Yes, absolutely!” I take off my old ring, one I’ll still treasure forever, and allow him to slip on the new one. It’s absolutely stunning; I can hardly believe it. “It’s so beautiful,” I murmur.
“You’re beautiful,” he counters. “I want to give you the wedding you deserve, baby.”
Nodding and holding back tears, I nearly knock him down as I lean forward to kiss him. He falls on the floor with me in his arms, and I can’t stop kissing him regardless of all the people watching.
“I said I wanted great-grandkids, but I don’t want to witness them being made,” Grandma Bishop blurts out, and the room bursts into laughter.
We pull apart, and I can’t stop staring at this perfect man who’s changed my entire life. Everyone goes back to their own conversations, and I look down at the ring, then glance at him.
“Are you sure you want to marry me again?” I ask with a smirk.
“I’d marry you a million times, Zoey.” The passion in his voice is prevalent.
“Same,” I say, the grin covering my face. “Guess I’ll be getting hitched to the cowboy again.”
“And damn, I can’t wait for the honeymoon.”
EPILOGUE
RILEY
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER
I help carry boxes into Rowan’s bedroom, and I’m pissed because it feels as if she’s packed them full of textbooks. And possibly rocks. “What the hell do you have in here?” I groan, setting one down with a thud.
“Lots of stuff,” she singsongs. “I accumulated a ton of shit after four years of college,” Rowan tells me matter-of-factly. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in finance a few weeks ago and had to have everything out of her place by this weekend. Dad voluntold Diesel and me to help, which meant we didn’t have a choice. So we drove six hours to Houston, loaded up all her boxes, drove six hours back and have been unloading for the past half hour. It’s been a long fuckin’ day considering we left at four a.m.
Honestly, I’d rather have shoveled horse shit for a week.
But she’s my baby sister, and now that she’s done with school, she’s back permanently. I’m happy she’s home, but now that means keeping an eye on her, especially when my best friend is always drooling over her.
“You better be glad I love you. That’s all I have to say. I wouldn’t have done this for anyone else.” I laugh, but I’m not kidding.
Rowan sits on her childhood bed and looks around. “It’s going to be weird living back with Mom and Dad, but I’m excited to be close to you, Zoey, and the new baby!” She does a little squeal, and I flinch at her high-pitched tone.
