Page 90 of Memories By the Shore
“Is the courthouse even open right now?” Avery looks puzzled.
Easton cocks his head to the side. “Look, Arizona, when you’ve lived in a small town your whole life, you gain connections at all levels.”
She cocks a hip in his direction. “I should have learned that by now.”
“Easton is very proud of his small-town upbringing,” I retort at my friend’s expense.
Bodhi flashes her a toothy smile. “You’ll have plenty of time to learn because now you’ll be here forever.”
I glance in Avery’s direction, and I can’t miss the brief change in her expression.Is it one of panic or contentment?Her eyes flicker to mine, catching me staring, but she lovingly smiles as if I didn’t see her subtle apprehension. I try to brush it off, chalking it up to my nerves.
“I guess so,” Avery says.
“What are we waiting for?” Riley barks at the group. “Let’s go get you two married.”
My eyes fly back to Avery’s one more time to make sure she wants to do this. I’d be heartbroken if she changed her mind, but I’d respect it. “Are you sure?”
She presses her lips together, forming a tight smile. Her cheeks redden before she replies. “Yes. Let’s do this.”
“Fuck yeah!” I say, planting a rough kiss on her head.
Avery and I follow the guys out to the parking lot.
“My car is here, but I want to ride with you.” She frowns.
Scratching my nose, I regret not thinking this all the way through. Of course, she and I should ride together. “I guess I didn’t think that far ahead.”
“I rode with Riley, so I’ll take your car back to Helen’s, Arizona,” Bodhi offers, extending his arms and cupping his hands for Avery’s keys.
She glances at me with an unsure look. “I’d be nervous to give Bodhi my keys as well,” I say, shooting Bodhi a side-eye. “But he’ll take care of it, I promise.”
“Fuck you.” Bodhi punches me in my side. “I’ll take it to the courthouse, and then Riley and I will drop it off.”
Avery pauses with apprehension before tossing Bodhi her keys. The five of us pile into our cars and make a beeline for the courthouse.
I’m getting fucking married tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Then
Avery
“Ican’t believe we just did that!” An excitement-filled scream bubbles from my throat.
Jasper hooks an arm around me, yanking my body into his. “I’ve never felt so good.”
“We’re going to be a family, Jasper.” I lovingly look up and smile.
This is my chance to create the family I never had. The dark hallways and empty rooms will not be something I will experience again. Holidays will no longer be a source of utter loneliness. I won’t have to watch other families make memories and establish traditions together. I will get to experience it myself.
Apprehension still knocks on the back of my skull, but this is the best decision. The fear of history repeating itself, leaving me once again in a puddle of sorrow and despair.When does life ever go as planned anyway?
“We are.” Jasper’s fingers weave through my windblown hair,pushing it away from my face. “Even though the guys couldn’t stop cracking jokes the entire time, I’m glad they were there.”
I nod. “They’re like your brothers. Of course, they should’ve been there for this moment.”
Just then, I hear rapid footfalls behind me as the three guys come barreling out of the courthouse.
