Page 34 of First Moon

“Kind of sad,” Ivy said.

“We were kids. High school sweethearts don’t usually make it once everyone grows up and moves on.”

“When you say he mentions her a lot, what does he say exactly?” Ivy asked.

“Just comments here and there, mostly when he’s dated other women. He always says, she’s no Holly Stone right before he breaks up with them.”

“Interesting.”

I pulled her closer, kissing her neck. “Is there a matchmaker in there?” I asked, my mouth traveling up to her ear.

“I’ll be discreet,” Ivy said, laughing. “Just wait and see how things unfold. You know, once I partner them up for all the group activities and they’re forced together at every turn.”

“Pretty girl, you’re a lot of things, but you’re not exactly sneaky. They’ll be on to you.”

“What if I don’t care? What if I want everyone to be as happy as we are?”

“Then let’s go for it. I’ll be your partner in crime.”

“Really? Because that deserves some kind of reward.” Ivy inched closer and, a few seconds later, I had no idea what we’d been talking about, and I really didn’t care.

All I knew was the woman I loved had said yes. We were going to get married and hopefully fill that big house of mine with babies. I couldn’t imagine anything better in the world. Not even a hit record. Ivy James was my hit record, a lottery win, a dream come true, my soulmate. And I get to spend the rest of my life with her. Lucky me.

“I’m the lucky one,” Ivy said, as if she read my mind.

“How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”

“Because that’s how it is between us,” Ivy said. “We’ll be that old couple who finishes each other’s sentences.”

“Sign me up.”

Although neither of us wanted the afternoon to end, the sun was sinking lower. It was time to go celebrate with my new family who would have to love me even if I was a Seahawks fan.

“I can’t wait to tell Mama my idea about the wedding,” Ivy said as we packed up the remnants of our picnic. “She’s going to love it.”

We walked back up the trail, Ivy chattering away about Montana, but I was too busy walking two feet off the ground to pay much attention. Montana or not, Ivy James would be my wife. That’s all I needed to know.