Page 124 of Except You

Matt eyes him, and Coop blows him a kiss. “Thinking dirty thoughts, huh?”

Before Matt can respond, Coop says, “Alright, let us in, Beau. And we can discuss plans for tonight.”

“I’m not getting married to him,” I say, and Coop laughs loudly.

“Oh babe, you so are. You have a suit and everything. And we have a romantic chapel booked as well. On me.”

I sigh, even as my stomach flips happily.

“Stop saying you’re not going through with it,” Max tells me, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck.

I hold his arms against me and then turn to gaze into his eyes. “It’s just insane, Max. I have to tell myself this is crazy.”

Coop and Matt are bickering in the background, and I turn in his arms and rub my hands over his shoulders.

“It’s not crazy,” he whispers, his eyes serious. “Not when I love you this much.”

My mouth falls open, and I suck in a breath. “You did not just admit to loving me right now.”

He grins at me with a shrug, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Can’t help it. Fell a long time ago. You’re irresistible, Bow-tie.”

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his soft lips. “Well, just so you know, I love you too.”

“Oh my god, tell me you have said that to each other before,” Coop snarks, taking a sip of his drink and nudging Matt.

“First time,” Max says, and I bite back a small laugh.

“We’re doing everything backward,” I reply, and Max shakes his head.

“No, Bow-tie. We’re doing everything just the way it was meant to be.”

I’m in my dark blue suit, one that Coop bought just for me and fits me far too well. I’m sure this cost a fortune. A pink bow tie hugs my neck, and I adjust it, my fingers fiddling with the soft silk.

“I am not doing this,” I say as Coop and I stand at the closed doors of the chapel. I’m holding a small white rose in my hand, one that Matt bashfully handed to me before he disappeared into the main chapel. Sem and Magnus are inside as well, the three of them waiting for me to walk down the aisle.

To him.

“You are so doing this, you love-drunk fool,” Coop replies and then kicks the doors open dramatically. They smack against the walls and everyone turns to stare at us.

My breath leaves my lungs. In my periphery, I see Sem, Magnus, and Matt looking at me, but all I can see is him.

Max is standing at the front of the aisle, wearing a suit and tie, his hair combed perfectly to the side, looking far too sexy for this earth. How did I ever manage to get someone like him? How is this my life?

“I’m not doing this,” I murmur as I take my first step toward Max.

His eyes are shining, his hands trembling slightly as he fidgets with his tie, watching me approach.

“This is insane,” I whisper as I draw closer, watching as Max wets his lips.

“Insane is the best way to do things,” Coop says softly as we come to a stop before Max.

My man.

Mine.

Max holds his hands out, and I place mine in his palms, feeling the tremor move through him and into me. A nervous flit of emotions. Excitement. Anticipation. Hope.

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