Page 84 of She's the Star

Her mouth drops open. “I’m completely ruining this.”

She steps away and my hands fall to my side. She squeezes her eyes closed and when they reopen, they are blazing with resolve. She flips open the lid on the box of cookies to reveal the same three cookies from our first night together, but this time the inside of the box says, Will you marry me?

“I was going to try to recreate our first night together but since that failed spectacularly, I’ll skip to this—I love you. I want to pledge myself to you. Always and forever. Will you marry me?”

Shit. Now I’m crying. Why is she so perfect? “A thousand times, yes.”

My lips crash into hers. Our tears mingle. Our hearts connect. We’re going to get married.

SECOND EPILOGUE

AMBER

Three months later

Do you know what’s hard?

Marrying a guy in secret when your name is Amber Hope, that’s what. On our first two attempts, rumors made their way to the press, and we had to abandon our plans. As much as I love my status as pop queen, I’ve become intensely aware of which parts of myself I’m willing to share, and which parts I want to hold close. For everything related to my career, I’m happy to let the world in. Toward the end of the tour, we even filmed some behind-the-scenes footage that featured Maddy and Nolan.

But our wedding—I want it to be about us.

Just us.

The solution to keeping the press clueless ends up being surprisingly simple. Nolan’s dad offers to have the wedding at his house and while Nolan declines at first, it rapidly becomes obvious that it’s the perfect solution. Third time is a charm, I guess.

Russell Gage hosts a never-ending stream of parties and events, and no one bats an eye when a steady stream of luxury cars fill his driveway. Family events are as common as industry ones, so it isn’t even strange that nearly all his kids and several of his exes are descending on his house at the same time.

Most of the guests don’t know they’re about to witness a wedding. His mother and his brothers and sisters think they’re celebrating the opening of a restaurant that serves burgers and beer amongst Russell Gage memorabilia. To further strengthen that misconception the restaurant is providing catering—bar fare isn’t what people expect at a wedding, especially not my wedding.

My parents, Teddy, and Slater and Ellie think they are coming so they can formally meet Nolan’s family. If they think it’s odd that the introduction is happening at the same time as a restaurant launch party, they haven’t mentioned it. Mina and Brian know the truth of course, and they’re here, too. No one else from my team will attend, but once our marriage is announced, we’ll host something at my house for everyone who didn’t get to come.

I was a bit concerned that Russell would have a hard time keeping such a huge secret, but he’s been amazing. I shouldn’t be surprised since the man is an actor. His over-the-top personality makes it easy to forget that he won an Oscar for an action movie.

The fact that we’re going to be getting married a dozen yards from a wax replica of a character from one of his most famous roles can’t spoil my mood.

It’s going to be an unconventional wedding, but I’m not bothered by all the things we won’t have because I’m finally going to be Nolan’s wife.

His wife.

I peek out the upstairs window at the people milling around the backyard. It’s almost time to get started and I’m undeniably impatient. We decided I should hide after I got ready, so I have to wait for the signal before I go downstairs. The designer dress I changed into upstairs is sparkly and short, subtly concealing the fact that I'm wearing a wedding dress.

A knock at the door startles me. I shuffle over and pull it open to reveal my parents. My mother is holding Maddy, and her eyes widen as she takes in my dress.

My father doesn’t seem to notice anything unusual. “Nolan directed us upstairs.”

“You should have worn a tie,” my mom laments to him.

He rolls his eyes. “Did you see anyone downstairs wearing a tie? Nolan’s father is wearing a tee that advertises his new restaurant. I’d look ridiculous in a tie.”

She frowns. “Maybe we can borrow a tie?”

I chuckle and shake my head. She always focuses on the most random things. He’s wearing a pair of khaki slacks and a short sleeve navy button up. It isn’t formal wear, but it’ll be perfect for this wedding. “Dad doesn’t need to wear a tie.”

“Usually, men wear tuxedos to weddings, but at a minimum, they wear ties,” she says as if it’s an undeniable fact.

“Wedding,” my dad stutters. “You’re getting married?”

“At least I’m wearing a dress,” my mom mutters to herself. “And Maddy is adorable in her sundress.” She lifts Maddy and presses kisses all over her face.

---