56

"You really thought of everything," you murmur while we pose for pictures.

"I wanted today to be perfect." I kiss your sun-kissed cheek, and Victoria instructs me to do it again. "You deserve perfection."

The shutter of the camera can barely be heard over the crashing waves we're standing in.

You lift your hand and watch the sunlight catch the big diamond on your finger. "I never want to find out how much you paid for this. Deal?"

I chuckle and nod. "Deal."

After an hour, Victoria and Riley pack up their equipment and leave us to bask in our new relationship status.

We sip wine, snack on the chocolate-covered strawberries, and spend a lot of time kissing. In the water, on the picnic blanket, or one of the lounge chairs we brought. I'm not willing to let you go far, and you're not complaining.

And we talk. A lot. About everything. Mostly our future. What kind of wedding we want.

I'm not surprised when you admit that you want something small and intimate.

"Nothing too flashy," you explain. "All of our friends and loved ones of course. Would that be okay?"

I wipe a little chocolate from your top lip and hum. "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I know you aren't famous, but you are important. Certain things are probably expected of you."

I grab your left hand and press a kiss to your ring. "Baby, if you wanted a courthouse ceremony or a trip to Vegas to get married by an Elvis impersonator, I'd be on board."

You laugh.

"I'm serious. You said yes. The rest is simply icing on the cake. Speaking of, what kind are you thinking?"

"Strawberry and chocolate with a ganache or whipped frosting." You point to the dessert plate. "I think it's appropriate."

"We'll start planning immediately."

I ask you when you're wanting to get married so I can figure out how much time we'll have and you smile.

"By the end of the summer with plenty of time for a honeymoon."

"That doesn't give us much time to work with."

You press a deep kiss on my mouth and stand up. "Then we better get started."

Everything is haphazardly packed away and tossed into the trunk of your Bug.

"Are you going to argue when I buy you a safer car?"

"I don't need another car," you defend. "But it would be nice to have something more reliable."

"Just think. Air conditioning, heating, and automatic windows!"

Your pretty brown eyes roll. "Just don't go crazy. I don't need anything extravagant."

"That reminds me. It looks like I'm taking Kate car shopping soon," I joke.

Sort of.

I'd sign over Masen's Toys if my best friend insisted. My entire legacy would be a small price to pay for forever with you. Because if you've taught me anything after all this time, there's nothing like you.