Page 56 of Crazy Love

Sam pulls out his phone, pressing something, and suddenly, the speakers blast “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars at full volume.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Wow, he’s going all in.”

Addy giggles, and even harder when Sam shouts, “Dance, lovebirds!”

The mood is electric between us. The music, the way the moonlight hits Addy’s face, the way my heart kicks up when she steps closer…I feel like my heart is going to pound right out of my chest. I take her hand, pulling her close, and we sway to the beat. It’s supposed to be playful, but there’s nothing about the way my pulse pounds or how she looks at me, like she’s trying to figure me out. Or memorize me. I can’t get enough of looking at her.

I lean in, my voice just loud enough for her to hear. “We really should make this look as real as possible.”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmurs, eyes glinting.

Next, I do the only thing that makes sense. Or maybe it’s senseless, I’m not sure which. But I kiss her. Our kiss at thecourthouse felt like a tease, and this does even more. I can’t get close enough to her. My entire body tightens. She melts into me, and I deepen the kiss. Everything about it is perfect and not enough. When we finally pull back, she looks breathless, and I want nothing more than to kiss her again.

We stare at each other for a moment before Sam shouts, “Woohoo! Nailed it!”

Addy laughs, her forehead resting against mine for a second before we step apart.

“So, how do we tell everyone?” I ask, still a little dazed. “The thread with the guys is going nuts because I’ve been quieter than usual this week.”

She exhales, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “A surprise party tomorrow night? Here at the house, you think?”

“We could start by telling my parents tonight. Your parents too, if you want.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. Wow. Okay. Let’s start with yours.”

I take her hand, squeezing it. “They’re gonna love you.”

“They won’t be mad that we did this without them?”

“I vote we go with we just couldn’t wait. Blame it on how in love we are that we couldn’t wait like two rational human beings?”

She giggles again and it goes straight to my dick. Oh, this is so going to be a problem.

“Okay, got it. You just couldn’t live without me another day,” she says.

“No.Youwere dying to be withme.”

“Mm-hmm, keep telling yourself that,” she says airily.

We make our way to the cottage, motioning for Sam to follow us as we go, and I knock on the door. My mom answers, eyes going straight to where Addy’s hand is linked with mine.

“Well, hello,” she says. “You all look so beautiful! What’s the occasion?”

My dad walks up behind Mom and he grins at us. “Wow. I feel underdressed. Looking good, you guys.”

“Mom, Dad, this is Addy. Adeline Evans…uh—” I freeze when I remember she’s Adeline Hudson now. “Addy, meet my parents, Margo and Jeremy Hudson.”

Addy lifts her hand in a small, polite wave. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

Dad leans against the doorway, raising an eyebrow. “Penn hasn’t scared you off yet? Impressive.”

“Oh, he’s trying,” Addy deadpans, and my parents burst into laughter.

We step inside, my parents hugging Sam, and then Mom motions for us to sit on the couch.

“I’m so glad you stopped by. Are you on your way out? It’s great to meet you, Addy,” Mom says. “I could’ve had dinner ready for us. We’ve been kind of wiped out from the drive, but we’re starting to feel a little perkier tonight.”

“We have something to tell you,” I jump in, unable to keep holding it back. “We got married. Tonight. Eloped.”

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