Page 39 of Cupid's Beau

“How long have you all been planning this?” I ask, incredulous, but I can’t stop smiling, can’t stop looking at the ring on my finger.

“Since the island,” Jack admits, arm secure around my waist.

“Just needed to stop running,” my father adds, clapping Jack’s shoulder.

“That.” Jack chuckles before pressing a kiss to my temple.

“Good.” My mother hands us each a glass of tea. “Now, about that wedding-”

“Ma chérie,” my father warns, but he’s grinning. “Let the kids breathe.”

Music still plays softly.

“Dance with me, future Mrs. Ellis?” Jack sets down our glasses, pulling me close.

“Always.”

Epilogue

JACK

My wife looks fucking incredible tonight in a blue silk thing that makes me want to peel it off her slowly. My wife. Still hits different, thinking that. She catches me staring and throws me a wink while she fixes her lipstick in our hotel suite.

“You need to stop looking at me like that if you want us to actually make it to this thing,” she says.

“Stop wearing dresses that make me want to stay in, then.” I come up behind her, hands on her waist. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. “We could just order room service…”

“After I spent two hours getting ready? Not happening, sir.” But she leans back against me and I can’t help kissing that spot on her shoulder that always makes her shiver.

“The shit I do for you.”

Neneh turns around in my arms. “Says the guy who mean-mugged me for a solid week when we first met.”

“I did not mean-mug you.” I chuckle.

“Baby, you scowled so hard I thought your face was stuck likethat.”

I shut her up with a kiss, trying not to mess up her makeup but needing to taste her. Her hands slide up my chest and I’m seriously considering telling everyone to fuck off so we can stay in.

“Jack,” she says against my mouth. “We actually have to go, honey.”

“Yeah, okay.” I fix my tie. “But we’re bailing early.”

“Deal.”

“You look good in that,” she says, smoothing my lapels. “Almost makes up for being such a grump.”

“Keep talking and I’ll show you grumpy.” But I can’t help smiling at her. One year later and she still gets me like this, heart racing just looking at her.

The drive to the theater is as ridiculous as always - paps everywhere, crowds screaming. I feel Neneh squeeze my hand.

“Ready to face your adoring public?”

“They’re screaming for you these days, baby. Hollywood’s favorite romance or whatever that magazine called us.”

She laughs. “Pretty sure they just want to see if you’ll smile. Still breaking hearts every time you do.”

“I only care about one heart, Mrs. Ellis.” I pull her close before we have to get out.

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