Page 107 of The Love Dare
Her father barks out a laugh, then leans down to kiss her cheek before softly whispering, “Give him hell, my dearest Uldwyna.”
Winnie swallows, suddenly nervous as Ty grabs her fingers, then pulls her closer. She glides over the ice, sailing smoothly into his arms, and braces her hands against his chest to stop herself. His palms settle at her hips, holding her close. He traces the edge of her lace corset with his thumbs, sending a wild thrill down her spine. She shakes her head, completely overwhelmed.
“This is insane,” she whispers with a laugh, not sure what else to say as she looks to the lights, the flowers, the candles, before finally meeting his burning blue eyes, her happiness so potent she’s dizzy.
“Maybe a little,” he concedes, his smile widening as he feeds on her joy.
“How did you even do this?”
“Well, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m sort of a big deal. Hometown hero and all that.”
“Wow. I’m glad to see you haven’t let your paycheck go to your head.”
“Never.” He grins. But then his brows furrow, as if he’s suddenly unsure. A serious edge roughens his voice. “Do you like it?”
“Ty.” She reaches up to brush her fingers across his cheek. “I love it.”
“Good. Because I meant what I wrote. I don’t want to wait another second.” He tightens his fingers around her waist as the whole room seems to collectively hold its breath. “Marry me, Win.” He leans close, pressing his lips to her ear, whispering this next part just for her. “I dare you.”
A wide, toothy smile gives her away, but she can’t stop herself from teasing him just a little. “Like, right now?”
He snorts and shakes his head. “Yes. Right fucking now.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“How about forever?”
“I think I’m willing to take that deal.”
They stare at each other like two happy idiots in love, because that’s exactly what they are. Keith takes advantage of the opening.
“I guess that’s my cue,” he says with a laugh that probably sounds charming through a television screen, but in reality, edges on smarmy. “Twenty-seven seasons, and this is our first surprise wedding. You certainly know how to keep us on our toes, Tyler. Now I have to apologize. This is my first time officiating, and I just put this script together on the flight over, but I think we should start with the traditional opening. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Winnie takes Tyler’s hands in hers, holding on tight, unable to look away as they promise each other forever. And okay,yes, she may get slightly distracted just for a moment when he takes a massive princess-cut diamond out of his pocket and slides it over her finger—it’s so sparkly!—but this isn’t about the ring or the money or the fame that comes with being on his arm. It’s about the man himself. If any other person even tried to give that jewel to her, she’d feel like an imposter. But Ty makes her feel as though she’s worth every penny of it and more, as though the sun rises in her eyes and the day wouldn’t be worth waking up to without her in it. And it’s the easiest promise she’s ever made—pledging to fight for him, to be that beacon for the rest of his life, the light that will chase away his darkness.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Keith declares as thunderous applause ripples across the arena. “You may kiss your bride!”
Ty wraps his arms around her waist and dips her low, capturing her surprised shriek with an earth-shattering kiss that leaves her clutching at him for dear life as every muscle in her body goes weak.
An explosivebanghas her rearing back. She looks up in fright. It takes a moment for her to realize the white flurriesin the air aren’t ash—they’re confetti. It’s so ridiculous and over the top, soHollywood, she can’t help but hold her hands up and laugh, giving in to the moment, because as absurd as it is, somehow, it’s perfect. Tyler lifts her off her feet, taking advantage of the skates to twirl her around, faster and faster, as the glittering papers continue to fall around them like snow. They lose it together, sharing a look that whispers,How the hell did we end up here?while at the same time feeling as ifhereis exactly where they were always meant to be.
“That’s a wrap!” Nina calls.
“Halle-fucking-llujah!” Tyler cheers.
“We did it!” Winnie shouts, grabbing his cheeks in her palms. “We survived!”
“No, baby.” He shakes his head, kissing her softly. “We thrived.”
“I have to ask, was any of that legal?”
“Legal? No.” He trails a series of kisses up her neck before he pulls back with a grin. “But real? Yes. At least to me. Just say the word and we can go to city hall to sign the papers. As far as I’m concerned, you’re mine.”
“And you’re mine,” she says, running a hand through his hair, looking deep into his eyes so he can see the soul bared within hers. “Always. I’m not going to get scared. I’m not going to run. I’m here. I’m with you. Forever. Because you’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. You’re so kind and so strong, not because of your muscles, but because of your heart. The things you’ve experienced, they would break a lesser man. But you let them hone you, let them drive you to be more, to be better, and you are. You’re so incredible. So accomplished, not despite the odds, but because of them. And more than any of that, Ty, from the very first day we met, you’ve always given me the confidence to be myself, which is so much harder than it sounds, but it’s true. With you, I don’t have to question. I don’t have to second-guess. I feel safe and protected and comfortable just the way I am, which is such a privilege, Ty. It’s such a gift. You have no idea how much it means to me. And I love you for it. I’ll never stop loving you.”
“I know.” He tugs her hand from his cheek and presses a soft kiss to her inner wrist, making one last promise. “Always.”
“Always.”
