“Good afternoon, Mr. Neill. I’m Mr. —”
I hold up my hand to stop him. “First names only.”
“Of course. I’m Braydon.”
“I’m Suzie and this is Grayson. Now, Braydon, get us married as quickly as possible. Then, I think you’ll want to disembark from our white gondola as I plan to make out with my new husband as soon as you pronounce us husband and wife.”
He laughs. “I can do that.”
I wink. “I know you can.”
“What if I had elaborate vows planned?”
I raise a brow at Grayson. “What more is there to say besides you love me and promise to cherish me and love me even when I’m old and gray and fat.”
“I think it’s supposed to be in sickness and health.”
Braydon clears his throat. “Shall we get started?” Grayson and I nod in unison. “Do you have the rings?”
Grayson produces a man’s ring. “We can get you another ring, but I thought your ring could be both an engagement and wedding ring.”
He actually looks like he’s sweating as he waits for my answer. I don’t make him sweat. Now that I’ve decided I am going to get married, I want to get it over with and move on to the good stuff. Yeah! The good stuff! Little Susan says. I don’t think anyone will be surprised to hear she’s got the pompoms out again.
I wiggle my hand at him. “This ring is perfect. I don’t need another one.”
He blows out a breath and turns his attention to Braydon. “We’re ready.”
“Do you have vows prepared?”
Before Grayson can answer, I do, “I love him, he loves me. I promise to put up with him. He promises to love me when I get fat. We’re good.”
“Do you, Grayson, take Suzie to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Grayson smiles at me. “I do.”
“Do you, Suzie, take Grayson to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
I wink at Grayson. “Yep. I sure do.” I look around. “Where’s the ring? I want you to wear it.”
Grayson takes the ring out of the box and hands it to me.
I slide it onto his finger. “I know there’s all this stuff about with this ring, but I’m not much for traditions.”
“You don’t say?”
“Shush, you. I have something to say. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and as a reminder that I am by your side always, even if I’m physically elsewhere.”
Grayson stares at his hand for a moment before raising his head to smile at me. “Thank you.”
“Now, by the power invested in me by the state of Nevada, I declare you guys married. You may kiss the bride.”
“I love you,” Grayson whispers before his lips meet mine.
“I love you more than beer,” I say when the kiss ends. And I do. The man snuck past the ten-foot fence around my heart and made a home for himself. Good luck trying to escape. Not on my watch!