Page 54 of It Happened in Vegas

She leaned closer as the officiant asked for the rings. “Last chance to back out, brewmaster.”

“And miss out on calling you my wife for a while? No backing out now.” I adored the way her cheeks bloomed pink. Because that’s what a groom would probably do.

We exchanged rings, and I watched her face light up upon viewing the ring I bought for her. The studio had a jeweler visit me over lunch where I made my selection. Sliding it on her finger, I made the right choice. Simple platinum band, with an ethically lab-grown diamond in a marquis shape. It looked stunning on her.

Wait. Were those tears in the corners of her eyes? I choked up myself. I knew it, today was a mistake.

“Oh, Soph…” I couldn’t stand to see her so sad. We were doing this for all the wrong reasons, and I felt like a total asshole for even allowing things to get so out of control. I reached up, cupped her cheeks, and dabbed at them for her with my thumbs. “If you ran away now, I wouldn’t blame you.”

“But you would chase after me if I did, wouldn’t you?” Her glossy golden brown eyes searched mine for reassurance.

No question. “Hell yes, I would.”

She winked and recovered, smiling again. “That’s all I need to know.” She took my ring from the officiant and, after squeezing the simple platinum band over my knuckle, she teased. “Almost official. Get ready for that kiss.”

“Believe me, I got it covered.” These little things we said to each other throughout were more memorable than anything else.

We repeated vows from the officiant, both of us opting not to create our own, to Melanie’s horror, but she’d get over it.

Then it finally came time, and the officiant pronounced us husband and wife.

Husband and wife.

We actually did this thing.

“Ready for this?” I gathered her in my arms, lips poised to claim.

“Better make it convincing,” she teased. I made sure not to disappoint.Soft at first, then passionate, dipping her with just enough steam to make Melanie happy. Not that I cared about her. Ours was an epic kiss to beat out all others across history and time.

I swung Sophie’s hand in mine high above our heads like we were champs for surviving this ordeal without snapping.

Music blasted, and cheers followed us back down the aisle. Melanie signaled to the crew that the take was finished. And the entire thing was finally over.

The only reason I made it through was because I could stare into Sophie’s sweet face the entire time, her smile radiant, her grip strong and sure in mine.

We walked back down the aisle like we belonged to each other—for now. As she glanced up at me, mischief in her eyesand that soft curve to her lips that always undid me, I didn’t regret sayingI doone bit.

20

CONSUMMATION

KEATON

The reception wasa blur inside the ballroom of the hotel. Champagne toasts, more photos, more cameras in our faces, and plenty of spontaneous kissing. I danced with Sophie under twinkle lights while everyone watched and claimed we were so in love.

Guess we had them fooled.

Surprisingly, little drama came our way. Melanie mostly focused on a cake fight between Cassandra and Starla that they’d started out in the hotel lobby, far away from us.

Sophie’s bright light shone through it all, the onegoodthing in all of this. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I yearned to be inside of her again.

"You’re staring,” she said, smiling up at me during the final dance of the night, even after I stepped on her foot. She’d tossed aside her heels and placed the balls of her feet on the tips of my shoes instead.

"Hard not to. You’re radiant. Easily the best-looking bride this resort has ever seen."

“Better than Vanessa would have been?”

I tightened my hold around her. “I mean it. Better than anyone. Ever. Of course, I may be biased since you’reminefor ninety days.”

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