Chapter 151
BLOMNE
the ochent says with a friendly smile on his face, we’ve made it to the moment that matters most. Kris and Stred ve chosen to stand here today, just the two of you because what you have is rare and real and enough. You’ve asked Achange your own wows, so let’s begin. Knox, whenever you’re ready
Knar’s fingers tighter, ansand mine the second we re given die floo
Seeing the look in his eyes. I know that I made the ngin decision dragging him to Vegas to get married.
The chapel is small, just as we wanted. There’s a faint doral scent in the air–take lilies. I think. The windows are frosted making the whole place glow as light filters through
It’s the kind of peace I wouldn’t have gotten if I’d let Grandma June take over the wedding preparations
God
I’ve learned the hard way that when you’re freshly engaged and still high off that moment, the absolute worst person you can call is your grandmother Especially when you’ve been avoiding the rest of your family
You can never be more excited than a grandmother It’s impossible
Ecalled her the night of the proposal still breathless my hand shaking as I stared at the ring Knox had slid onto my finger just minutes before She gasped so hard I thought she’d faint, and before I could get through the sentence. “I’m so happy the was already calling half of Marthattan.
Within three days I’d received over sevenly texts from people I hadn’t heard trom in years Former classmates Former coworkers. Instant relatives who once held me as a baby apparently Some imessages care with congratulations. Some with unsolicited advice Some with awkward emon–heavy reactions that made me want to throw my phone across the room.
And every day after that, Grandma June would call with new ideas. A garden theme A vintage theme. A modern minimalist theme. She wanted cascading flowers. Rose gold chairs Achoreographed dance She even brought up hiring a celebruy impersonator as the MC I swear I’m not making that up
already had a Pinterest board made with my full name on i
One day, she sent me an image of three almost identical pink nail polish swatches and asked which shade I wanted for the wedding. When I replied, “Aren’t they all the same 1 got a two–minute voir note in return telling me I had wo eye for cheall and that if I didn’t want to look washed out I’d better take nail color seriously
threw myself face first onto the bed and groaned into the pillow while Knox sat on the couch and laughed like it was the best comedy he’d seen all year
You mad because she loves you he sod, sapping his drink with that snug grit on his face
He wasn’t laughing when his own family started calling me, though
muslip** Unreachable On purpose.
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th, wood, the w sad i got youtuber off me and was hoping to speak with Katox Veel like we left things in a bud ay, and there were a lot of excommunerations. Let me know if he’s open to talking”
knew what has near, it was his way of saying sorry, probably after his wife spent hraurs talking him into it Ascorradnication Really? That’s one way to put it You ruined his life
Idrowed Reek the test, he stared at it for a full shirty seconds mattered something under his breath, and then deleted strom ky pbbris. He never brought it up again
Just like that Over and done
That was the moment I knew we couldn’t have the wedding in Mannaltan) Getting married there would mean betting Krandma have her was and if that happened half the planet would he at my wedding
No. thank yeas
So one afternoon, two weeks after Knox’s proposal I walked into his office leaned against the doorframe, and said. “Let’s get harried in Vegas.
He looked up from his computer, eyes narrowed like he wasn’t sure if I was serious: You want to invite everyone to Vegas?
“No. I want to elope and marry your ass in Vegas Knox Just the two of us.”
That made him grin. The slow kind. The one that lights up his whole face
“Isn’t that where everyone goes for a shotgun wedding? he asked
“I never said I was original Besides. Vegas is fun I want a fun wedding
“Well baby,” he said, leaning back in his chair, I down for whatever Fix a date
This weekend”
That surprised him. But not enough to say no
“I don’t know what’s gotten to you” he said. “Lut I love it I’ll make the arrangements right away. Your grandmother’s going to be pissed
bow Fll cleral with hef when I’m back
We spem the next day shopping with Knox insisting he had better tashton sense, which is up for debate, is he was oddly jopirnionated about wedding dresses He picked this short white one with uny off shoulder deeves and alky tabiye thas hugs nough to feel sundalous. And God fortger me scared on the six inch heels that are crently setung y calves
W few to Veges last night on a private jet Get our marriage license at the Clark County Bureau this ring. Al case straigre me to the chapel
meez though I’ve been standing in these six–inch heels for far too long, this still the best day of the dire
Kam & in front of me a sum Mashes we make The top two fuppo
actual art which allusest ever Happers Fiad to resist be get one NotHot cousse has white shirt are nodete just enough to reveal the edges of the sarees un bi devastating
I can’t stop smiling, Thi seaying safe to ade like I’ve had too much sugar barely able foy stay stall Gaddy dorst Teven begis
cover it Auras from me Knex is doing his best to look caire but I know him too well. He clears has throur, beginning his
“The truth is,” he says, 1–bidur write anything down couldn’t Burif I had, Ind sull be standing here looking as you forgen, every single word You’re so beautiful Burry I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you. You crawled ander my skin the day we met and nothing’s been the same since
Think hard, trying to stay present trying to hold on to every syllable
I’ve seen the worst parts of myself through your eyes, and somehow, you stayed Even when I didnt say the right thing Every when my mischievous ways should’ve pushed you away. You’re the first person who ever made me want to stay alive long enough to grow old
My eyes blur with tears
“So this is me promising you everything I have.” he says. “The parts that are loudly and obsessively and stapidly in love with you. The parts that are soft and scared and trying. I want to be yours in every way that matters. Today Tomorrow And for the rest of our lives
He gives a tiny shake of his head
“I love you so much. Sloane Mercer. I really can’t wait to call you Mrs. Sloane Hartley”
A single tear slips down my cheek, and I don’t even try to brush it away I’m smiling too wide. Feeling too much
Jesus, Knox, I say, blinking up at him “Remind me not to go into a vow contest with you.
