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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

VE-NUPTIAL-OUS

PENN

On the way home, I look over at Addy. I feel shy around her right now for some reason, and she’s acting the same way. I guess we did just do something monumental. It’s probably best that I don’t think about it too much or I’ll freak out.

“I planned a little something for us at home, just the three of us,” I tell her.

“That was thoughtful of you,” she says.

She takes my fucking breath away. When I saw her in this shimmering white dress, the neckline drawing my eyes down for a peek, and her face glowing as she opened the door with a bashful smile…she overwhelmed every single one of my senses.

I am in over my head.

The food arrives not long after we get home, caterers carrying in filet mignon, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes.

They place the food on the table, and I hold out a chair for Addy and then light the candles.

I want this to be a special night. Not that Addy or Sam expect perfection from me, but I want both of them to know that they’re important to me.

When the caterers leave, Addy looks at me. “Penn, this is beautiful. Thank you.”

I lift a bottle of red wine and she nods. I pour her a glass and then open the sparkling cider Sam likes. “It’s a big night. Felt like we should celebrate.”

“So, this is…your honeymoon?” Sam asks, eyes round.

“Uh, technically, yeah, I, uh, I guess it is,” I stutter.

He grins at me and I roll my eyes. Nothing like a little tweener making you feel all kinds of exposed.

“We’re not doing the typical honeymoon,” Addy says, her eyes meeting mine while she tries to cover for me.

“I can’t take off work so soon after starting my new job, and the preseason starts next weekend…

” She grins at me and scrunches her nose.

“We didn’t plan this wedding very well, did we? ” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug.

“I thought it was really nice,” Sam says. “You both look really good.”

“Thank you, Sam,” Addy says. “And you in that suit…you look so handsome.”

His cheeks turn pink and he digs into his steak as he mumbles his thanks.

The dinner is nice and easy. Addy asks Sam about school and he talks about a book he’s reading. Addy’s eyes soften as she watches him, and I swear, I think she’s looking at me a little differently tonight. Is that wishful thinking on my part?

After we’ve eaten warm raspberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, Sam leans back in his chair. “I have a surprise for you guys.”

“You guys are full of surprises tonight,” Addy teases.

“Oh, just wait.” Sam grins. “Come on, let’s go outside.”

We follow him into the backyard, past the trees and to the small wooden bridge that goes over the creek. The creek winds its way to the lake and as the sun sets, the night air cool around us, we walk up the bridge and stand in the middle. The view is beautiful from the bridge.

Sam pulls out his phone, pressing something, and suddenly, the speakers blast “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars at full volume.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Wow, he’s going all in.”

Addy giggles, and even harder when Sam shouts, “Dance, lovebirds!”

The mood is electric between us. The music, the way the moonlight hits Addy’s face, the way my heart kicks up when she steps closer…

I feel like my heart is going to pound right out of my chest. I take her hand, pulling her close, and we sway to the beat.

It’s supposed to be playful, but there’s nothing about the way my pulse pounds or how she looks at me, like she’s trying to figure me out.

Or memorize me. I can’t get enough of looking at her.

I lean in, my voice just loud enough for her to hear. “We really should make this look as real as possible.”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmurs, eyes glinting.

Next, I do the only thing that makes sense.

Or maybe it’s senseless, I’m not sure which.

But I kiss her. Our kiss at the courthouse felt like a tease, and this does even more.

I can’t get close enough to her. My entire body tightens.

She melts into me, and I deepen the kiss.

Everything about it is perfect and not enough.

When we finally pull back, she looks breathless, and I want nothing more than to kiss her again.

We stare at each other for a moment before Sam shouts, “Woohoo! Nailed it!”

Addy laughs, her forehead resting against mine for a second before we step apart.

“So, how do we tell everyone?” I ask, still a little dazed. “The thread with the guys is going nuts because I’ve been quieter than usual this week.”

She exhales, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “A surprise party tomorrow night? Here at the house, you think?”

“We could start by telling my parents tonight. Your parents too, if you want.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. Wow. Okay. Let’s start with yours.”

I take her hand, squeezing it. “They’re gonna love you.”

“They won’t be mad that we did this without them?”

“I vote we go with we just couldn’t wait. Blame it on how in love we are that we couldn’t wait like two rational human beings?”

She giggles again and it goes straight to my dick. Oh, this is so going to be a problem.

“Okay, got it. You just couldn’t live without me another day,” she says.

“No. You were dying to be with me.”

“Mm-hmm, keep telling yourself that,” she says airily.

We make our way to the cottage, motioning for Sam to follow us as we go, and I knock on the door. My mom answers, eyes going straight to where Addy’s hand is linked with mine.

“Well, hello,” she says. “You all look so beautiful! What’s the occasion?”

My dad walks up behind Mom and he grins at us. “Wow. I feel underdressed. Looking good, you guys.”

“Mom, Dad, this is Addy. Adeline Evans…uh—” I freeze when I remember she’s Adeline Hudson now. “Addy, meet my parents, Margo and Jeremy Hudson.”

Addy lifts her hand in a small, polite wave. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

Dad leans against the doorway, raising an eyebrow. “Penn hasn’t scared you off yet? Impressive.”

“Oh, he’s trying,” Addy deadpans, and my parents burst into laughter.

We step inside, my parents hugging Sam, and then Mom motions for us to sit on the couch.

“I’m so glad you stopped by. Are you on your way out? It’s great to meet you, Addy,” Mom says. “I could’ve had dinner ready for us. We’ve been kind of wiped out from the drive, but we’re starting to feel a little perkier tonight.”

“We have something to tell you,” I jump in, unable to keep holding it back. “We got married. Tonight. Eloped.”

Their expressions are stunned and then morph into joy.

“What?” my mom asks. “Oh my goodness!” She gets up and walks across the room to hug us. “Congratulations! This is…I can’t believe it!”

My dad comes over and hugs us too. “I have to confess that I sometimes wondered if it would ever happen for you, son!” he says.

“I know you must have wanted to marry her bad for you to elope,” he teases.

He points his thumb toward me. “This guy likes to make a splash, Addy, as I’m sure you’re aware. ”

Her eyes are dancing as she looks at me and laughs. “Well, he does want to throw a surprise party tomorrow night where we can announce it to everyone.”

“That’s a great idea!” Mom says. She tilts her head.

“You did pick a crazy time to do this, so I suppose a honeymoon is out of the question.” She laughs and shakes her head.

“Married!” She pats my cheek, beaming up at me.

“So happy for you, son.” She looks at Addy and squeezes her hand.

“I already know you’re really special. He’s never been one to even bring a girl home for dinner, so this is just… the best news.”

Addy’s shoulders relax and she laughs when my dad says, “We were starting to think he’d never settle down.”

“What do you think about all this, Sam?” Mom asks.

Sam is next to me on the couch and he leans forward so he can see both me and Addy. “All the girls like Penn, but I’ve never seen him look all dopey at one like he does at you, Addy.”

My mouth drops as the room erupts in laughter.

“Dude,” I say, nudging Sam.

He lifts a shoulder. “Just calling it like I see it.”

We hang out another half hour or so and then I stand, saying we should probably let them rest. My parents are the ones giving dopey expressions like sure, that’s why you’re leaving, so we can rest. I roll my eyes at them and hugs are shared all around.

“Let us know what we can do to help,” Mom says.

“Will do,” I say. “Love you guys.”

On the walk back to my house, I pull out my phone and type out a group text to the guys.

Party at my house tomorrow night. Be there. Please.

Henley

Why does this sound like an intervention?

Bowie

I need more details before I commit.

Rhodes

We’ll be there. That goes for you too, Bowie. Should I bring snacks?

Weston

We grilling?

Sounds good to me. And no need for snacks. I’ll provide everything. Just be there. Please.

Rhodes

It’s the second time he’s said please, guys. I’m smellin’ something serious.

Bowie

You’re not pregnant, are you?

Weston

I think you’re projecting. You and Poppy are the ones who keep popping out babies.

Henley

He didn’t say no.

GOODNIGHT.

Sam chats happily about the party. When we step inside the house, he pulls out his phone and shows us the pictures he took of us at the wedding and even a few of us dancing on the bridge.

“These are so good, Sam!” Addy says in surprise.

“Sam’s become a great photographer the past couple of years,” I say proudly.

“Thanks to this phone you gave me,” Sam says.

I study the pictures. “They turned out great, buddy. Thanks for taking these. I think we should frame a few. And why don’t we take one of the three of us right here.

” I place the phone on the fireplace mantel and set the timer, rushing back over to stand by them, Addy front and center.

We smile and when we’re done, Sam rushes over to see if it’s any good.

He smiles and shows us the picture.

“It’s perfect,” I say, bumping his fist.

“This has been the best night,” he says.

I wrap my arm around him and hold my other arm out for Addy. She steps in and hugs him too.

I echo Sam’s words and mean them with everything in me. “The very best night.”