Page 55 of Crazy Love

“I could’ve just married us myself with my license, but I thought this route would look more official,” Penn says. He grins at me as the justice of the peace fumbles with our paperwork. “Not so sure after all this.”

“I’ll be going over the paperwork thoroughly, don’t worry,” I whisper as we step forward and look at the marriage license.

Once we’ve checked the details, we both sign.

“It’s official!” Penn says. “Oh, you’re taking my name?”

He’s got that sexy smirk again as he looks over at me.

“That okay with you?” I ask.

He reaches for my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. “More than okay, Mrs. Hudson.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

VE-NUPTIAL-OUS

PENN

On the way home, I look over at Addy. I feel shy around her right now for some reason, and she’s acting the same way. I guess we did just do something monumental. It’s probably best that I don’t think about it too much or I’ll freak out.

“I planned a little something for us at home, just the three of us,” I tell her.

“That was thoughtful of you,” she says.

She takes my fucking breath away. When I saw her in this shimmering white dress, the neckline drawing my eyes down for a peek, and her face glowing as she opened the door with a bashful smile…she overwhelmed every single one of my senses.

I am in over my head.

The food arrives not long after we get home, caterers carrying in filet mignon, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes. They place the food on the table, and I hold out a chair for Addy and then light the candles. I want this to be a special night. Not that Addy or Sam expect perfection from me, but I want both of them to know that they’re important to me.

When the caterers leave, Addy looks at me. “Penn, this is beautiful. Thank you.”

I lift a bottle of red wine and she nods. I pour her a glass and then open the sparkling cider Sam likes. “It’s a big night. Felt like we should celebrate.”

“So, this is…your honeymoon?” Sam asks, eyes round.

“Uh, technically, yeah, I, uh, I guess it is,” I stutter.

He grins at me and I roll my eyes. Nothing like a little tweener making you feel all kinds of exposed.

“We’re not doing the typical honeymoon,” Addy says, her eyes meeting mine while she tries to cover for me. “I can’t take off work so soon after starting my new job, and the preseason starts next weekend…” She grins at me and scrunches her nose. “We didn’t plan this wedding very well, did we?” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug.

“I thought it was really nice,” Sam says. “You both look really good.”

“Thank you, Sam,” Addy says. “And you in that suit…you look so handsome.”

His cheeks turn pink and he digs into his steak as he mumbles his thanks.

The dinner is nice and easy. Addy asks Sam about school and he talks about a book he’s reading. Addy’s eyes soften as she watches him, and I swear, I think she’s looking at me a little differently tonight. Is that wishful thinking on my part?

After we’ve eaten warm raspberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, Sam leans back in his chair. “I have a surprise for you guys.”

“You guys are full of surprises tonight,” Addy teases.

“Oh, just wait.” Sam grins. “Come on, let’s go outside.”

We follow him into the backyard, past the trees and to the small wooden bridge that goes over the creek. The creek winds its way to the lake and as the sun sets, the night air cool around us, we walk up the bridge and stand in the middle. The view is beautiful from the bridge.

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