Page 142 of Wicked Love

Everyone perks up, curious.

Bowie takes a breath. “We’re considering a trip. A family vacation…a friend-family vacation,” he adds, smiling around the table. “Everyone who can come, really. The season will be over by then, and we’d like to go to the Bahamas.”

“Ooo,” Elle squeals. “I’m in.”

She smiles at Rhodes, who nods. “If she’s in, you know I am too.”

“And,” Bowie says, squeezing my hand, “we’d like to have a tropical wedding there. I know we’re already married…” He glances at me with a grin, letting me know he’s not discounting our spontaneous hospital wedding. “But I want to give Poppy the day she deserves. Something relaxed, fun, and about celebrating all of you…all of us. Nothing stressful at all, just us, exchanging vows in the sunshine and having a good time together.”

“It’s a good month for a honeymoon,” Weston says, grinning. “And for celebrating an anniversary.”

“You’ll have two anniversaries!” Sadie says, turning to me.

I love the way we got married in the hospital, love having PoppyFoxon our baby’s birth certificate, love knowing I’m his wife…but I love this too, the thought of us doing something special to celebrate when I’m not in the throes of labor.

Penn taps a dramatic hand to his chest. “Do I get to perform the ceremony again?” he asks.

There’s a ripple of laughter and Penn looks around indignantly.

“I take my duties seriously!” he says.

“Absolutely,” Bowie says without missing a beat. “You’re our official man of the cloth now.”

Henley snorts, pulling The Single Dad Playbook out of his bag, and he pretends to write in it. “Big news: Penn is now the permanent officiant of all Mustangs weddings.”

Penn waves a hand, as if overwhelmed by the honor. “It’s a good thing the rest of you are married already…my schedule’s booking up fast.”

Elle’s phone buzzes on the coffee table. “Sorry,” she says, standing up. “I meant to turn that off.” Her smile falters when she sees the number and she snatches it up quickly.

The room’s chatter dips for a moment, but resumes when she slips into the hallway, pressing the phone to her ear. When she comes back a few minutes later, she’s practically glowing. “Guys,” she says, voice breathless, “that was my agent. There’s a movie deal in the works forIt Was Always You…like it’shappening, happening. No more maybes.”

Tru nearly chokes on her cider. Rhodes is on his feet, hugging Elle so tightly, she squeaks. The rest of us surround her, huddling together to congratulate her.

“You’ve poured your heart into this story. I’m so excited for you, Elle,” I say.

She wipes her eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I can’t wait to see who they get to play Ryder and Eliza,” Tru says, sighing wistfully.

Elle turns and hugs Rhodes’ parents. “Thank you for whatever strings you pulled,” she says.

“This was all you, my dear,” Troy Archer says in his rich British accent. “I didn’t have to say a word,” he says, winking at her.

“Hmm, I don’t know if I believe you, but either way, I’m thrilled.” Elle laughs.

Later, after we’ve cleared the dishes, too full for dessertjust yet, the girls and I are huddled in the living room, looking at Pinterest and talking about dresses. Elle perches on the arm of the couch as she looks over Tru’s shoulder at the laptop screen.

“Linen dresses?” she asks.

“I vote for knockout gowns,” Sadie says.

“Or full tropical glam with flower crowns,” Tru says.

“Let’s not forget we’ll be near the ocean,” Marley says, always the practical one. “Wind plus flowers equals a potential fashion disaster.” She grins, shrugging. “You want all that drama?”

I laugh, leaning back and smiling down at Jonas, who’s just opening his eyes. “You guys, remember—low-key. I got married in a hospital wearing pajamas. I’m not exactly a diva. I promise not to turn into Bridezilla once we get there either.”

Elle exchanges a look with Tru. “We hear ya. We went low-key too. And this one didn’t even invite us,” she says, pointing at Tru.

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