Page 126 of Home Field Advantage
A watery laugh falls from my lips, my own tears spilling over. “How the hell am I supposed to compete with that? You’re such a romantic.”
I wipe my cheeks with one hand and then his. Palming his cheek, I do my best to pour every ounce of love and longing in my body into my vows, giving him the words I know he needs to hear, the ones he’s waited for.
“You may not know this, but I had a feeling about you before the game that night. I knew we were going to meet up with one of Josh’s friends, and I vaguely remembered you from when Josh was in college and watching your games before, but I hadn’t officially met you yet. That night, something was different. It’s likeevery cell in my body was addled with restless energy, a vibration that settled the second your eyes met mine. You were imposing on the mound, in the zone, but in that split second, you lost every bit of concentration and it’s like my soul called to yours and claimed it right then and there. I was irrevocably changed at that moment.”
I sniffle as more tears run down my cheeks, the salty taste lingering on my lips. Grant clears them with a thumb while I take a deep breath and calm my racing heart to finish my vows. The encouraging smile on his face, giving me the strength to continue.
“Our journey may have been a bumpy road—untraditional in every sense of the word—but it was ours, wholly, completely, predestined. And right here, right now, I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Thank you for never giving up on us, on me. For reminding me every year on our anniversary, even when I wouldn’t answer your calls, even when I sent divorce papers, even when the first time I reached out was for a favor and nothing else. Your unwavering determination and unconditional love are the best parts about you, and I am forever grateful you chose me. You are my soulmate, my best friend, the love of my life, my soft place to land, the comfort I seek, and the best support and partner I could ever ask for. I know anything in this life is possible with you by my side, and that’s where I’ll be forever—with you, by your side. I love you to the ends of the earth, Grant, and I love being your wife.”
As soon as the last words are out, he crushes his mouth to mine, my lips parting instantly. His tongue delves into my mouth, exploring every crevice as I do the same. Hands clutch and tug and rove as we lose all sense of time and place and the eight people around us, too caught up in the sensation of lips and teeth and tongues, of love and lust and joy. A loud whistle finally seeps into my consciousness. Dropping back, I blink my eyes open and find our friends staring at us with expressions ranging from mischievous excitement to unadulterated joy.
“If you’re done mauling each other, we can go get this party started,” Miller pipes up in amusement.
“I don’t know if the party we’re throwing is the party they want to attend anymore,” Chase mutters.
“Leave them alone,” Ivory slaps Miller on the back of the head. “They’ve waited long enough. They deserve this.”
“Damn right, we do,” Grant bundles me against him, peppering kisses on my face and neck.
Pulling out of his hold, I grab his hand and tug him toward the house. “Give us ten minutes, we’ll meet you by the pool.”
“Ten minutes?” Grant quirks a brow at me before picking me up and speed-walking up the path.
“An hour, max!” I call over his shoulder, because they’re right—we have some other celebrating to do first.
Our story started over ten years ago, but our happily ever after starts today.
