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It’s for real now. For keeps.
“It would,” I agree, brushing his wet hair from his forehead. “But I think I already hit the jackpot.”
“Aw, so cheesy,” Binx says, drawing our attention to the group of McGuire adults and toddlers currently watching us from the shade beneath the pontoon’s awning. “But so sweet. You two are the real deal. Can I please throw you a big party when you get home from eloping? We could do it in early October at the vineyard. Before it gets too cold. My friend Trixie said she could get me a discount on the venue as long as we do the catering ourselves.”
“I’ll cater,” Mel says, without missing a beat. “I know all the foods you two like best. You won’t have to do a thing except show up.” She lifts her arms, swaying from side to side as the music kicks back on and Uptown Girl by Billie Joel floats across the lake. “And dance all night. Getting married reminded me how much I love dancing.”
Wes pulls me close, swaying to the song as Freya climbs onto his shoulders, licking the water from his skin. He frowns and shoots her a sideways glance, but doesn’t stop dancing. “I guess this means she approves?”
I grin. “It means she loves you and wants to keep you warm, safe, and dry.”
“I love her,” he says, his gaze softening as he wraps his arms tighter around my waist. “And you. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Joy bubbles up inside me, so fierce that it makes me tear up and laugh at the same time. “Sorry,” I say, sniffing and giggling. “I’m just so happy, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“How about we swim over to our boat and start looking for plane flights on my phone? I don’t have to be back in the office until Wednesday. If we fly out early tomorrow, we can stay three nights.”
“Except that I have a banquet to cater on Monday,” I say, my lips turning down.
“I bet your boss would give you a day off,” Wes says, raising his voice as he glances Mel’s way, “Wouldn’t you, Mel?”
“Wouldn’t I what?” she asks.
“Give Tessa an extra day off, so she doesn’t have to come in until Wednesday?”
“I told her,” Mel says. “She can quit and start working on her food truck tomorrow if she wants.” She spins, slapping a hand to her forehead before she continues dancing, bumping hips with Binx, who’s also getting into the groove. “Actually no, you can’t quit until November 1st. We have that huge fish banquet for the Bad Dog Anglers Club the last weekend in October, and you know I don’t do fish. At least not without wanting to vomit the entire time. But yes, take the extra day, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.”
“November 1st sounds perfect,” I say, my blood fizzing with excitement. “And Vegas sounds even better.”
Thirty minutes later, Wes and I have booked the last two seats on the seven a.m. flight to Vegas, Freya has a sleepover date with Binx for the next few nights, and we’re loading up our bowls for ice cream sundaes amidst an abundance of well-wishing family members.
Family…
This is my family. Mel, Chase, Binx, and all the other sweet and crazy McGuires, they’re mine now, too. I’m not just getting the husband of my dreams, but dozens upon dozens of incredible people to love.
“I’ll never be lonely again,” I whisper to Wes on our way home, tears pricking at my eyes.
He reaches across the car, threading his fingers through mine. “Me, either.”
I’m so happy, so in love and busy thinking of all the things I need to pack for our last-minute wedding/treasure-hunting trip, that I totally forget about my surprise. It isn’t until Wes shouts—“I thought I couldn’t love you more. I was wrong”—from the bedroom while I’m feeding Freya that I remember.
Giddy and grinning, I dash down the hall, laughing as I spot him by the swing, his eyes glittering like he just got all his Christmas presents early. “You like?” I ask.
“I love,” he corrects, moving toward me. “The things I’m going to do to you on this swing, Mrs. McGuire.”
I sigh. “I can’t wait, Mr. McGuire.”
“You don’t have to,” he says, shutting the door behind me with a shove of his palm and pulling me into his arms.
My clothes vanish as we kiss like we’re starved for each other, like we’re never going to get enough. I know I won’t. I could make out with this man every day and never get tired of his taste, his touch, the way he makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the world.
By the time he lifts me into the swing, adjusting the straps so my shoulders are lifted high enough for me to watch as he fits us together, there’s nothing but him. He’s my focus, my center, the rock I know I can depend on today and every day, for the rest of our lives.
He grips my hips, letting the momentum of the swing send me gliding forward, until he’s buried deep, filling me the way only he can.
And wow, the swing is fun, but it’s the connection between us that makes our love life so explosive. It’s knowing I can trust him with every part of me and he can do the same.
Later, after we’ve showered, packed, and made sure all our bags are by the door, ready to go for the early flight, we snuggle with Freya on the couch, watching trashy reality television about hot people trying not to have sex with each other in order to win money. Just a few minutes in, Wes and I decide we would definitely be kicked off the island the first week.
