Page 140 of Tempting Me

I knew Shay would take longer than fifteen minutes, but just in case, everyone waited for her to leave The Marina before they piled in.

Carl, Matt, and Brian all worked swiftly to get food and drinks out for everyone, and it looks as though everyone is just as eager to get this night going as I am.

We have my family, her family, the Richfords, and all of our friends, plus a few locals here tonight. All the people I know for a fact Shay would want to share this moment with.

Is this a surprise? Yes and no.

Obviously, marrying Shay has been in my plans since the moment I knew I loved her. She knows it, I know, everyone in this town knows it.

But at this moment right here, my fingers are crossed that everything about it comes as a complete surprise to her.

Over the past six months, Shay and I have been nothing but honest and open with each other. Don’t get me wrong, it has its pros, but, man, does it make it hard to surprise her.

And I want this to be the best surprise of her life.

“Are you ready for this?” Leo steps up and claps a hand to my shoulder.

I nod. “Very.”

“How many weddings do you think we can squeeze into next summer?” Hudson asks with a laugh.

I don’t know why his comment makes my palms sweat, but it does. I hadn’t really thought about a summer wedding. Is that what Shay wants? I was just thinking of something quick and simple. I don’t need the whole shebang. I just need her.

I blow out a breath.

Whatever she wants, I’ll make sure she gets it.

Linc walks up and fake punches Leo in the stomach. “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Three Pointer.”

Hudson and I laugh when Leo shoves him back, his cheeks turning a slight pink.

We’ve been playing basketball at the local recreation center for boys’ night, and we all suck tremendously, except for Leo.

He called it a “gift” one day, and the boys won't let him live it down.

A grin takes over my lips as my friends start to give each other shit about last week's game.

As soon as Shay and I bought The Marina, my friendship with Leo resumed as if it never stopped. For a moment, I thought he’d hate the idea of me being with his sister, but I think he secretly likes knowing that we're officially going to be a family someday.

Someday soon if tonight goes as planned.

“She’s coming!” Grace says, speed walking through the room in my direction.

I don’t hesitate as I stride past her to the front door, a couple of hoots and hollers at my back as I leave.

Shay can’t come in yet. Not until I’ve walked her down tothe beach and dropped to my knee.

I strut out the door in my suit and misstep when I see her walking toward me.

Everything about her shines under the moonlight. It’s my favorite view of Shay. Here at The Marina at night. Well, after the vision of her in bed, of course. But this Shay, this is the Shay I fell in love with. The one who makes my entire body light up when I see her. The one who is carefree and happy. The one who picked me.

“Luca Asher, what are you doing out here in a suit?” she says in a sweet voice that makes my cock jump.

Maybe I should have done this at home, alone, where I could strip her bare after.

“My presence was requested tonight.”

“Mmm,” she hums and leans in to kiss me.

---