Page 20 of His to Love

Holding out her shaking hand, she whispered with a quiver in her voice, “I would love to marry you, Patton James Nash.”

As I slid the ring onto her finger, something flashed inside of me, causing my body to become white-hot. I wasn’t sure what it was, but figured it must be guilt mixed with excitement.

I stood, pulling her up with me to hug. I looked down at her as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I love you, Alexa. You’ve made me an incredibly happy man.”

Sobbing, she buried her face in my chest as she clung to me for dear life. “I love you too, Patton.”

Luciano came to us, wrapping his arms around us. “I’m so happy for you both. You have no idea how happy you’ve made this family.”

More arms wrapped around us as their parents came to join the group hug. I felt welcomed into their family in a way I’d never been before. And it was all because of a lie.

I had to get over this, so I shook my head to clear it. “Now, for my next surprise. Alexa and I will be taking off within the hour to go to Las Vegas to get married as soon as possible.”

“Are you serious?” Alexa asked with surprise—even though this was no surprise at all to her. We’d discussed the trip along with all of the other lies we had to tell.

“I am completely serious. I want to make you my wife before the sun leaves the sky tomorrow evening.”

The sooner this wedding is behind us, the better.