Page 81 of Bookworm

Grinning, I moved down the line to Neil and Elena. “He’s Ben Solo for too long…”

“You Reys him up!” Chloe said, beaming, bouncing up and down, barely able to contain her excitement.

I paused in front of Adam’s father. He gave me a tight smile and a nod as he said, “He loves you withMaulhis heart.”

I reached my little brothers next who were in the midst of their own sword fight with their lightsabers. Beside them, Addison cleared her throat loudly, getting their attention.

They whipped around, quickly putting their lightsabers in the air and transforming at the snap of a finger into perfect gentleman. “You ewok his world!” they said in unison.

Lacey wriggled in my Dad’s arms, wanting to get down and run around with her brothers. But the moment she saw Adam, she squealed and outstretched her arms to him. For some reason, she loved him the most, always more excited to see him than me.

Grinning, he bent down and kissed her cheeks and chubby hands.

“Luke-ing good, Harper,” Addison said, giving me a little wink.

It wasn’t until I reached my dad that the lump lodged in my throat. Normally composed and stoic, his eyes were glassy and wet as he looked down at me. He paused, bending to press a kiss to my forehead. “You R2 beautiful, Harper.”

As a tear slipped down my cheek, my dad swiped it away with his thumb. It was all so ridiculous and stupid and also the most beautiful display of love I’d ever seen.

Adam guided us up to the porch, Verne still following obediently at his heels. Standing on my front porch, I caught a glimpse of Jules in the window watching us, tail swishing.

When I looked back at Adam, our eyes colliding, heat roared through my veins. I scanned his angled, masculine features and rumpled dark curls that begged for my fingers to comb through them and he flashed one of his devastatingly handsome smiles in my direction.

“We have a lifetime for Star Wars puns,” he said. “But there was no pun that accurately summed up my feelings for you. Because our love isn’t a joke. It can’t be reduced to a quick turn of phrase or an obscure reference only you and I will get. When you swept back into my life years after I thought I’d lost you forever, I knew I couldn’t mess this up. We don’t all get second chances in this life and I wasn’t going to waste mine. You were too special to lose once, let alone two times. I wouldJourney to the Center of the Earthfor you, Harper Meyer. I’d diveTwenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I’d travel toThe Mysterious Islandand thenFrom The Earth To The Moonand back again for you.”

From his pocket, Adam pulled out a small velvet ring box and pulled it open. A diamond glittered, winking up at me as it caught the orange glow of the sun setting. Then, he lowered to one knee beside Verne and tugged off the bandana. Beneath it, Verne’s collar said:I do or I do not, there is no try.

Then, Verne lifted a paw into the air as Adam asked, “Harper Meyer, will you marry me?”

Adam looked up at me, wide-eyed, nervous, but full of hope.

On the heel of my next breath, I exhaled, “Yes. Yes of course I’ll marry you, Adam. I love you.”

I barely had the words out of my mouth before he launched to his feet, lifting me into his arms, kissing me. Around us, our family erupted in applause and cheers and as Adam whipped me around in celebration, I watched all the people I loved so much celebrate for me.

Celebrate our love.

Even our fathers met in the middle of the walkway and shook hands.

I exhaled a relieved sigh and whispered into Adam’s ear, “Our love will neverEndor.”