He set the bucket on the coffee table, then popped the cork. The frothy liquid bubbled up and he quickly poured it into the glasses.

Dare lifted his glass. “To a lifetime of happiness with the three of us together.”

They all clinked glasses and Ashley sipped the delightfully bubbly wine.

Dare finished his glass, then topped everyone up.

He walked to the desk in the corner, then returned with a folder in his hand and sat on the chair across from them.

“We may not be able to marry legally, but if you both agree, I’d like to make it official.”

He opened the folder and set a document in front of each of them.

“I want us all to be protected, so I had these drawn up.”

Which probably meant he wanted to protect his wealth from any claim she or Adam might make based on a common-law arrangement, Ashley thought. But when she glanced through the agreement, it was quite the opposite. It talked more about the commitment they were making to each other than it did financial considerations.

Adam perused the document, then glanced at Dare. “This says that Ashley and I are entitled to an equal share of your assets.”

“That’s right. The three of us will own everything equally.”

Adam flipped through the papers. “You do realize a prenup is supposed to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection. What I need is both of you in my life. And the money isn’t the important thing in this document. It’s the fact that it states our commitment to love and honor each other for the rest of our lives.”

Adam’s eyebrows arched. “Your lawyer must think you’re crazy.”

Dare chuckled. “True. But who gives a shit about that?”

Adam pulled a pen from his suit jacket and signed the three documents. Dare signed them, too, then handed Ash a pen and the three agreements. She signed them, then handed them back to Dare, feeling a little empty.

“Ash, you don’t look happy,” Adam observed. “Is there something wrong?”

“No, not at all.” She smiled. “I’m very happy.”

Dare reached out and took her hand. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s nothing, it’s just … Well, for all intents and purposes, after signing these, the three of us are married now.”

“Isn’t that what you want?” Dare asked.

“Of course, but…” She sighed, worried she’d sound shallow. “I just always dreamed of a wedding, with the long white dress, flowers, music. All of that.” She squeezed Dare’s hand. “But the three of us being together … that’s the important thing.”

“Hell, Ash. There’s no reason we can’t have a wedding,” Dare said with a big smile. “We’ll exchange vows. And rings, too, if you want. We’ll make up our own rules as we go.”