Page 110 of Mr. Brightside

“I’ll take care of your heart,” he continues, his eyes darting between mine like he’s willing me to understand the gravity of this moment.

He doesn’t need to worry. I fucking feel it in every fiber of my being.

“And I’ll work tirelessly to trust you with mine.”

I shudder at his words, but will myself to stay open and accept his promises.

“I won’t give up on us again,” he declares, tugging on the chain around my neck for emphasis.

“I love you, Jake Whitely.” He gently guides me back to create space between us, then drops down to one knee. “Will you stay married to me?”

A tightness bands around my chest as I gaze down at the man I love. Fuck. His proposal was so much better than mine.

And rightfully so. What started as a practical arrangement with a few extra benefits has transformed into the most beautiful, fulfilling, unexpected gift.

“Yes,” I rush to reply, sinking to my knees to match his stance. “But I want a redo.”

His gaze narrows in question.

“I want to give you the wedding of your dreams, baby. I want to stay married to you, but I want to have a ceremony and plan a huge party with all our family and friends. And I definitely want to go on another honeymoon.” I cock an eyebrow. “I want to make my husband’s dreams come true.”

I slip the necklace over my head, unhook the ball chain clasp, then slide both our rings off. A dueling sense of calm and smug satisfaction courses through me as I slide Cory’s onto his finger, the platinum band slotting back into place. I hand him mine, and he puts it on for me.

Gripping the nape of his neck with both hands, I press our foreheads together as we breathe each other in and commit this moment to memory. But I don’t stress about forcing the feelings to linger. We have a lifetime of moments just like this ahead of us now.

“Would now be an inappropriate time to make a joke about you getting down on your knees for me?” I deadpan.

His eyes shoot open and he laughs: the sound of his joy lighting me up and making me tingle all over.

“Some things will never change, will they?” he teases as he tackles me to the ground and climbs on top. I prop up on my elbows before he can kiss me.

“Wait,” I interject. “There actuallyissomething I want to change. I was thinking I’d change my last name to Vargo.” Despite my adamant desire to do this, my words are soft, almost a whisper. I’ve been considering it for a while, just rolling the idea around in my mind as things grew between us.

Cory’s eyes go wide. “Are you serious?”

“Of course I’m serious.”

He blows out a long breath, runs his hand through his hair, then smiles down at me. “I love it,” he gushes. “It’s just hard to imagine a day when the great Jake Whitely won’t be, well, Jake Whitely.”

I slide my hands over his obliques, then dig into his sides for emphasis.

“You know I haven’t been the infamous Jake Whitely since the night you agreed to marry me, baby. I want your last name, if you’ll share it with me. I’m proud to be your husband. I want everyone to know I’m totally and completely yours.”

His eyes flare with want as I stoke his possessiveness with my words. I’ll give this man anything and everything if he promises to look at me likethatfor the rest of our lives.

My body. My mind. My demons. My heart.

Every part of me belongs to him, and I plan to spend the rest of forever making sure he knows it.

Chapter 46

Jake

3 Months Later

TheOakisoverflowingtonight—people are crammed shoulder to shoulder, screaming over the music and lighting up the dance floor. I’d feel compelled to do a headcount for fire code if this wasn’t a private event.

It’s not just any private event: it’s our wedding reception. Ourrealwedding reception to celebrate our over-the-top dream wedding.