Page 67 of Never Going to Care

I reach between us and pinch her clit, pushing her over the edge and into a bliss I know she’s only capable of finding with me. I’m right behind her and my pleasure is the same. She’s the only one who has ever gotten past all my walls, the only one I’ve loved, the only one I care about in a way which speaks to the deepest parts of my soul. My pleasure is hers just as much as hers is mine.

I’ll fight for it every day if I have to, and I know Celeste will be right there next to me ready to do the same.

“I love you,” I tell her softly as our breathing starts to level out.

She clings to me, and I know she loves me too, but she tells me anyway. “I love you so much, Hale. Even when you’re a grump and especially when you make tacos.”

We laugh together, the fire between us momentarily sated, but it won’t be for long. It never is with us. I can’t wait for her to be my wife and for us to start our family.

EPILOGUE

SIX MONTHS LATER

CELESTE

I look away from the mirror as Piper fluffs my veil behind me to find Stella slipping into the room, a big smile on her face with a bottle of champagne and three flutes in her hand. My eyes fill with tears because I remember this. We did it before and it won’t be long until we do it again.

My cheeks hurt with how big my smile is and I know I won’t have a reprieve for the rest of the day. Not that I want it. I’m so fucking happy to be marrying Hale today and having my girls here makes it all the sweeter.

“I thought we should keep the tradition alive,” Stella says, the same sheen in her eyes which I know are in mine.

When I look at Piper, her eyes are the same and I groan. “Please don’t start you two, I’m bad enough on my own.”

They both laugh and I join in, our sisterhood circle full of happiness and fond memories. It’s not really complete though, but that’s only because it’s expanded to include Ella and Hale’s sisters. They are our family and we’ve all gotten close.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Stella pops the champagne, and we all raise our glasses, the clink oddly satisfying. “To you taming the grump,” Stella toasts.

I snort out a laugh and shake my head. “He can still be a grump.”

“Hear, hear,” Piper quips.

Stella waves her hand dismissively. “He’s not a grump with his Starlight,” she says Hale’s nick name for me in a sweet voice and I can’t help but grin because there’s nothing malicious about it. “That’s all that matters,” there’s no room for argument in her tone and she’s not wrong.

Piper reaches out and grabs my free hand, Stella joins her, and we’re all connected. “Seriously though, Celeste. I’m so happy for you. I should have seen it the first time you two met in the conference room, but it took me a little time to see what could be between you. I’m so glad you both got out of your own way and found love.”

“You two are so damn adorable together,” Stella adds. “He looks at you like you’re the moon and he’s the tide. Its incredibly romantic and I am so happy for you. Both of you. You two deserve it.”

I wiggle my eyebrows at Stella and tease her, “You get looked at the same way.”

She blushes and shakes her head in admonishment. “Today is about you.” She takes a deep breath and then expresses our deepest fears. Again. “We’ve done really well staying close since Piper got married, but today marks even more change. I want us to renew our promise to each other. We’ll continue to be close, to get together, to be involved in each other’s lives.”

Piper and I speak in unison, “Promise.”

When we smile at each other, I’m a little overwhelmed with emotion, but I don’t get the chance to wallow in it because my dad knocks on the door and sticks his head inside. His eyes light up when he looks at me and my heart races. I’m so grateful everyone gave us a moment to ourselves. Who knows who Stella had to bribe to make it happen, but it’s perfect.

I’m not going to lie, it’s a little bit of a blur walking down the aisle because all I can focus on is Hale standing at the end of it waiting for me. His eyes darken the moment he sees me, and I’m not surprised considering the way my dress hugs my body. I knew he’d like it.

The moment I’m close enough, Hale snatches me away from my dad and plants a kiss on my forehead before taking a deep breath as if he couldn’t stand it without me in his arms. I know the feeling because it was torture not spending last night with him. I don’t even know why I stuck to this odd idea about traditions. I was kicking myself last night, but with the heat I see in Hale’s eyes now I wonder if I was onto something.

My dad clears his throat, but when I look over at him, he’s grinning at us with amusement. Hale and dad shake hands before dad kisses my cheek. My fiancé and I take a moment to look at each other and get a little lost in our gazes. It’s easy to do. I always feel like I’m getting lost in him.

I’m not complaining. Not even a little bit.

We take a breath together and then turn toward the officiant, ready to step into this next part of our lives. I can’t focus on a lot of the ceremony, but it’s exactly what you’d expect it to be. One thing I can focus on is the heat of Hale’s body and the way his thumb moves back and forth over my hand.

When it’s time to say our vows, Hale turns to me with a smirk. I force myself to take a deep breath and try and will the tears back which are already threatening to fall. Hale is a lot of things—stoic, grumpy at times, haunted at others, serious—but with me, he lets me see his heart in the best of ways.

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