The Boyfriend Experience (The Boyfriend Experience 1)

“So, you’ll be happy to know that this is the part where I tell you what an idiot I was.”

She bit back a smile, loving his sense of humor. “That’s a good start.”

“And that I won’t be so stupid again.”

“Debatable,” she teased, and heard a few light laughs from the tables behind them.

His expression turned serious. “And that I want you in my life for a very long time, like forever, which is the nonnegotiable part of this grand gesture.”

Hope and joy started pumping through her veins. “I’d like that, too,” she whispered.

His gaze softened and he looked at her as though she was his sun and moon and stars. “And that I’m going to live my life to the fullest, each and every day, with you right by my side.”

Her heart . . . Oh, God, her heart was nearly overflowing with happiness. “Okay,” she agreed.

He went down on one knee in front of her, causing most of the people in the room to gasp at the gallant gesture and where it was heading. Anticipation sped up Evie’s pulse as he gave her the roses, then reached into the front pocket of his suit, retrieving a small, black velvet box.

“No more doubts. No more fears,” he said, his voice strong and sure as he opened the lid, revealing a breathtaking engagement ring that nearly blinded her with its multifaceted sparkles. “I love you, Evie Bennett, and I won’t settle for anything less than you marrying me so you can be mine for the rest of our lives.”

Tears filled her eyes because she felt like the luckiest girl on the planet. And then she smiled because this man was proof that a girl had to kiss a few toads to find her prince. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

He slipped the ring on her finger, then stood back up and kissed her, so soft and sweet and gentle, before literally sweeping her off her feet, roses and all, and into his arms. With the rest of the guests cheering, he carried her out to a limousine waiting by the curb, and once he had them locked inside, he pulled her across his lap and pressed her forehead to his.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“For not giving up on me while I was in my idiot phase,” he said wryly.

She laughed. “Never,” she promised, and she meant it.

EPILOGUE

Eight months later . . .

Eric stood facing the beautiful woman who was about to become his wife, holding both of her hands in his, and marveling at what a lucky man he was that Evie was going to be his for the rest of their lives together.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon in San Diego, and they’d opted to have the small wedding ceremony and reception in his mother’s backyard. Evie had done most of the planning, and she’d explained that this is where he grew up with Trisha, and it was important that her memory was honored on their wedding day. His sister couldn’t be there physically, but spiritually she would be in their hearts.

Sitting in the few rows of chairs behind them were only close friends and family. His mother, of course, who’d managed to rebuild friendships and was pursuing outside interests that kept her active and fulfilled. His father and his new wife had flown down from Arizona, and Evie’s parents, her brother and Aaron, and her grandfather were present, as well. His partner and best friend, Leo, was there with his wife, along with Aiden and Daisy, and of course since Dylan was the reason why Eric had met Evie in the first place, he and his wife, Serena, were there to witness the nuptials, along with Scarlett and Jessica.

Evie had hired the same minister that had spoken at Trisha’s memorial service to perform the wedding ceremony, replacing what had been a sad day almost fourteen years ago with a happy, celebratory one now. They stood beneath a small archway threaded with gorgeous white and pale pink flowers, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of the woman who’d given his life new purpose.

She wore a simple white off-the-shoulder wedding gown. Her hair was loose and flowing around her shoulders, just how he liked it best, and her light blue eyes shone with tenderness and adoration as she promised to love, honor, and cherish him, until death did they part.

His heart squeezed tight in his chest. How had he gotten so damn lucky?

He slipped her wedding ring on her finger, the minister announced them as husband and wife, and right in front of everyone he kissed the hell out of his bride until the small crowd behind them were clapping and whistling and cheering.

Holding her hand, they faced their standing guests. Before the ceremony, Eric had noticed that everyone had been given a small white box. He’d assumed it was a wedding favor of some sort, until his family and friends simultaneously lifted the lids and each box released a monarch butterfly.