Page 207 of Banter & Blushes

I go first with my vows. I unfold the piece of notebook paper I’ve been carrying in my bouquet, hands only slightly trembling.

“I promise to love you on the good days and the hard ones. To laugh at your terrible jokes. To make you coffee when you’re running late. And to always choose you—especially when you leave blueprints all over the kitchen table.”

There’s laughter from our friends. I catch Aurora wiping her eyes. Matti claps like it’s the grand finale.

Then Reid starts his.

“I promise to protect your heart like it’s my favorite thing—which it is. To make you laugh when you’re tired. To bring you takeout after long shifts. And to never, ever forget the day I fell hopelessly in love with you at the dolphin lagoon.”

He pauses. “I’ll be your safe place to land . . . your sweaty—” He stops, grimaces. “I mean,steadyhand.”

Laughter bursts from the guests. Even the officiant chuckles.

“Definitely sweaty,” I tease. “You nervous?”

“I am not,” he whispers.

But his palm is a little damp.

We exchange simple gold bands, warmed by the sun, and when we kiss, everyone cheers.

Even Matti yells, “Again!”

And honestly? I would. A thousand times if it meant I got to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

After the ceremony,as our family and friends drift toward the bonfire and the sky turns lavender, Reid pulls me close. I press my cheek to his chest and breathe him in—sunshine and salt and home.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small glass bottle.

“Our turn,” he says, handing it to me.

Inside is a single note. I unroll it, my hands steady now, and read the words aloud.

“True love is worth the risk.”

I slip the message back into the bottle and seal it with the cork. “It really is,” I whisper.

Then I kiss him—slow and soft and sure.

“I love you, Mr. Bennett.”

“I love you, Mrs. Bennett.”

Hand in hand, we walk to the tide. The water brushes our ankles. The stars begin to appear. And together, we toss the bottle into the sea.

Maybe someone will find it.

Maybe not.

Butwedid.

We found everything that matters.

Each other.

Forever.

The End

---