Roman (Raleigh Raptors 2)

“Because the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. I knew there would never be another person so perfect for me. Never be another person who could make me laugh like you did, or get me into as much trouble as you did.” Another round of laughter, followed by a chiding look from his mother at me. “And we have a boxful of plastic rings to prove how insanely in love I was with you.” He cleared his throat. “You kept accepting them,” he said. “And wearing them so proudly. All throughout our years.” He slid the wedding band onto my finger. “And now—decades later—I can finally afford a real ring.”

I choked on a laugh, swiping at the tears underneath my eyes before I slid his wedding band on his finger.

“I’ll love you forever,” he said. “No matter what,” he echoed my earlier sentiment.

“Roman Padilla, you may now kiss the bride,” the officiate said the traditional words, and Roman gently tugged me toward him.

His lips lightly grazed over mine as his hands snaked around my back, tilting me slightly to get a deeper kiss.

The crowd disappeared, the officiate, everything faded as Roman claimed my mouth.

My heart.

My soul.

“Get a room!” Hendrix teasingly yelled, and the crowd laughed as we jolted out of the kiss. Roman righted us, and we smiled at our friends and family.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiate said. “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Padilla!”

I grinned up at Roman as he led us down the aisle, thinking those words were the most beautiful I’d ever heard in my entire life.

And I couldn’t wait to hear them over and over again…

Forever.

THE END