Page 60

The party’s in full swing and even though we are the guests of honor, Jamie and I have escaped to the beach together.

“Are you also experiencing a weird case of déjà vu?” Jamie asks.

“The best case possible.” It’s dark, and her features are partly obscured, but I don’t have to see her face to know how gorgeous she is. I know every last inch of her face, her body, her smell.

Our engagement was just long enough to accommodate a destination wedding. Version two of our courtship was short—less than a year—but oh-so powerful.

“If I remember correctly, I was quite buzzed on weed the last time.” Jamie chuckles.

“You and all your bad habits,” I joke.

“Hey.” She tugs me toward her. “I don’t take any of this lightly. Marrying you is the most important thing I will ever do in my life.”

“I know.” Turns out trusting Jamie again was easy. She wasn’t the problem any longer. Once I got out of my own way, neither was I. When I look at her, I can’t even imagine I used to think of her as the woman who stole my dreams, because now, one year later, she has made the biggest one come true. Because she’s the person I’m meant to be with. Twenty years apart have surely taught me that. “I love you, Jamie,” I say.

“I know what you had to get over to arrive at this place. To marry me today,” Jamie continues. “It’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“Nu-huh.” I bring my face a mere inch away from hers. “The best is yet to come, babe.” Jamie makes it sound as though me forgiving her was for her sake only, but I’ve also given myself the greatest gift. To no longer have to carry all that insecurity and pain with me, to just let it all go, and win her back in the process, has been the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

“I believe you.” Jamie touches the tip of her nose against mine. “Do you know why?”

I know what she’s going to say—she’s only said it a hundred times before—but I shake my head anyway, because that’s the game we play.

“Because I loaf you,” she says.

“I loaf you too. More than anything.” I close my eyes and kiss her.