“You know she tried to murder you, right?” Cooper tightens his hold on me.
“So are you right now. I can’t breathe,” I wheeze, and his arms relax a fraction.
“Get her handled. I’ll be back,” Cooper says to one of the other officers. He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway and into his room. The second the door closes, he’s on me as he lifts me off my feet and presses me against the door. His mouth comes down on mine, and the kiss is untamed and needy. It’s almost painful in the sweetest of ways, and I give him back the same.
“I could have fucking lost you. She’s lucky I didn’t actually shoot her. The only reason I didn't is because I can’t take care of your ass while I’m in prison.”
“Thank goodness. I know I might look a bit edgy, but I don’t think conjugal visits would be my thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’d make it my thing for you, but all I'm saying is I’d rather not.”
A small smile pulls at his lips, and I’m happy to have distracted him even a little. “We’re getting married today,” he announces suddenly.
“Wait, what? We can’t, Lux is getting married.”
“I don’t care.”
“I care! I don’t want to overshadow her.”
“She’d be here in two hours flat if you called and said you were getting married. She would show up with a giant smile on her face, and you know it.” My shoulders drop because I know he’s right.
“Cooper—”
“I could have lost you today.” He cuts me off before I can try and protest again. “We never know what is coming in life. I regret the months I tried to stay away from you. I will not regret how long it took me to marry you.”
“How can I say no to that?” I throw my hands up.
“You can’t.” His smile grows wider, and I know I won’t be able to deny him what he wants. Because honestly, it’s what I want too.
“You know it might not have been so terrible that you waited to make me yours. People might have talked since I had just graduated high school. I was eighteen and all, but still.”
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks.”
“I know, but you love this town.”
He shakes his head. “That day I came home and I saw Lux was leaving for the city I was about to lose my mind. I was sure you were going with her. My fear was becoming a reality, but it was a stupid fucking fear because I would have lasted about two seconds before I was chasing your ass down. I might have avoided you around town, but I still had my eyes on you. Always. You were never going to get away from me.” This man is killing me with sweetness.
“I love this town too, but hopefully it won’t come to that.” I need to put my faith in the people of Pink Springs. They’ve never given me a reason not to, and I’ve let my own insecurities cloud that fact.
“If they don’t like it or give us shit we’ll pack up and find a new town to call our own.” My breath hitches.
“You’d do that for me? Walk away from Pink Springs?”
“In a heartbeat,” he says instantly. “Where you go I go, whether it’s the city or a whole other country. Being with you is what matters the most.”
“I love you so damn much.” My eyes burn with tears. “We should call Lux because we’re getting married today.”
“I love you too.” He brushes his mouth against mine. “I’m never letting you go.”
It’s a good thing that in his arms is exactly where I want to be. From now until forever.
Epilogue
Cooper
A few months later…
I’m standing in the hallway at the back of the church waiting on them to tell us when to go. Since Bastian came into our lives through Lux, he’s become one of my closest friends. Mostly because Juno and Lux are inseparable even though they live hours apart. I’m just thankful that Bastian turned out to be a good guy and that he loves my sister the way she deserves.
When Lux asked me to walk her down the aisle, I got choked up and couldn’t form words. But I was able to nod, and that was all the confirmation she needed. Today is finally their big day, and part of me is really glad that Juno and I didn’t do all this mess. I wouldn’t have been able to stand being away from her long enough to have the ceremony, and when I checked on Bastian earlier, I can see he’s already there.
I’m ready to give away our baby sister, but Luca is running late, as usual. He said he would be here an hour ago, but traffic is holding him up. I haven’t told the bride because I don’t want to worry Lux, and thinking about her brother being late is the last thing she needs with everything going on.