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“County clerk?”

“You need to get a marriage license.” He walks toward the door. “Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

I turn to Noah as soon as we’re alone. “Is he serious?”

“He’s serious.”

“Wait—what did he meanhewants to perform the ceremony?”

“I’m assuming he’s going to officiate it.”

Noah seems to be taking this in stride. He’s entirely too calm about the whole thing.

“When did he tell you about this?”

“About three minutes ago.”

I stare at him blankly. Shouldn’t he be rattled? “What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to get married.”

My eyebrows fly up, and my mouth opens even though I have no words. Noah watches me, a subtle smile on his lips, his eyes soft and slightly amused.

“And you’re okay with this?” I press. “Actually okay?”

“Listen, Piper,” he says, his voice suddenly solemn. “The truth is, I’ve been thinking about it since you entered the final stage. Recently, I realized that I don’t know why we’re waiting.”

“Because you said we need to be responsible vampires and not rush into it.”

“You’ve known me for several months now. Am I the kind of man who rushes into things?”

“Only when you’re breaking down front doors.”

A smile ghosts across his lips, and he joins me on the bed. “I love you, and I want to spend my unnaturally long life with you. A few more months won’t change that. A year isn’t going to change that. The circumstances aren’t ideal, but I don’t care. As long as we end up together, what difference does it make?”

“Just to clarify, youwantto elope?”

“It’s not very romantic, is it?”

“Oh, it’s romantic. It’s also crazy.”

He boldly meets my eyes. “Let’s be crazy then.”

Those words coming out of responsible, practical Noah’s mouth are just about the swooniest thing I’ve ever heard.

I’m intensely aware of the moment. Our knees bump on the bed. The AC hums softly as it spirits deliciously cold air into the room. Outside, I can just make out the music coming from the pool area.

“You really want to marry me?” I whisper.

“I do.”

“To protect me?”

He playfully jerks his head toward the bed. “There are other reasons as well.”

I lower my voice and lean a little closer. “You know we can’t get married just because we want to sleep together, right?”

Noah’s eyes crinkle. “Is that the only reason you want to marry me? To get me into bed?”