In this moment I know, I’d choose death before ever willingly attempting life without her again.

She’s the best part of my past and everything I look forward to in the future. Sammi Deluca is utter perfection, and finally—fucking finally—she’s all mine.

“Lyle,” my sister Lizzie growls. “He said to kiss her, not eat her face.”

Snickering, we break apart, both panting for breath, our cheeks flush with shared passion.

“Turn to face the congregation,” Pastor John instructs quietly. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you,” he bellows, “Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Livingston.”

Adrenaline surges through my body like never before when he introduces us as husband and wife. Not even the thrill of performing can touch the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes over me in this very moment. Because I’ve never wanted anything so much.

“I can’t believe we actually did it,” Sammi muses as we march back down the aisle and across the parking lot toward the reception hall.

I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her snug to my body and planting a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s been a long time coming, Li’l Bit.”

She smiles up at me, but it falters. “I really thought you’d changed your mind.”

“Not about you…never about you,” I promise. It’s clear I owe her an explanation for dragging my feet for so long. But there really isn’t one. The truth is I got swept up in the fast life and was far too confident in my belief that she’d wait. I can be arrogant to a fault. This time it almost did me in.

Our conversation is cut short when we arrive at a photographer who’s set up to take our pictures beneath the sprawling oaks outside the hall.

It’s difficult to focus on smiling and posing while people whisper and stare as they proceed inside. I’ve never seen so many bewildered faces in one place. Not that I blame them. Hell, I still haven’t had time to process it all.

The moment we enter the building, we’re swept into my parents’ waiting arms.

“Lyle,” my mother shrieks, gripping my shoulders and giving them a shake, “why didn’t you tell us?”

“You and Sammi, eh?” Dad adds, grinning at my new wife, who he’s always adored. “Who’d’a thunk it?”

“It was a surprise to me, too,” I assure them, gazing over at my blushing bride.

“Well,” Li’l Bit chimes, “maybe not quite. You did show up with a ring, after all.”

I shrug, puffing out my chest. “I’m a cocky bastard; what can I say?”

“You get it from your old man.” Dad beams, as if that’s a trait to be proud of. “A chip off the old block.”