Page 127 of Rule #5: Never Coparent with Your Rival

When we break apart, Luca is standing between us, tugging on both our hands.

“Can we eat?”

Axel laughs. “Uh-huh.”

Luca rushes to join Stella. They find Sofia’s kids, and my heart warms more.

We walk inside the boat where dinner is set up. I spot the centerpieces—and stop.

I glance up at Axel. “Grape arrangements?”

He giggles. “They did bring us together, honey.”

“You could just have had a picture of your bare torso.”

He blinks. “Wait! That’s what did it? That’s why you swallowed the grape?”

“Uh—”

“Oh my God! I removed my shirt. I remember! I can’t believe that’s what did it. Death by hotness.”

I open my mouth, then close it, and am just about to open it again, when Axel grins and kisses my cheek.

“You’re not going to let me live this down.”

“Nope.” He rubs his hands happily, and his eyes are definitely evil. “These next seven decades are going to besomuch fun.”

I blink rapidly.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too.”

“Good.” He pulls me closer. “I’m yours for life.”

“And I’m yours.”

Then he wraps his arms around me, tight around my waist, just like the first time, though this time we’re facing each other.

My head swirls, my legs go weak, and he lifts me off the floor, my feet dangling, and kisses me.

The room erupts in cheers.