Page 114 of Haunted

He grinds his jaw. “I had a speech prepared.”

“Don’t need it. Had an answer prepared.”

He clears his throat. “Lance Stephen Broussard—”

“Skip, skip, skip. Yes. Sit back down.”

He stands up and glares down at me. “Look, this is perhaps the only time in my adult life when I get to sweep you off your feet. You’re supposed to be overwhelmed. Or, at least, less constipated. I was preparing to grovel for breaking your heart.”

“You don’t need to. You’re here, you already mended it. That’s all I needed. I didn’t need a speech, and I didn’t need or want you to sweep me off my feet. I just need you. That’s it.”

“So, you’ll marry me?”

“Yeah.”

He smiles, bends down, and kisses me. “Today,” he whispers against my lips.

I pull back. “Today as in today.”

“Right now.”

“Okay, now you’re sweeping me off my feet. Holy shit.” I launch myself off the bench and take two steps before I realize he’s still laughing. “Truck. Now.” I grab him by the hand and drag him through the park, ignoring the stares as we cut through the grass. I let go of his hand long enough to get him into the cab of the truck, and he’s laughing the whole time.

There’s a parking space on Main Street just in front of Zimmer’s Jewelers, and I pull into it so fast the tires squeal. I’m already half-unbuckled by the time the truck comes to a halt. “Out,” I say, cutting the engine.

Jonny fumbles with his seat belt while checking something on his phone. “There’s an officiant available at 1:30,” he says. He scrolls down. “There’s also one at 1:15?”

“That one.” I open the door and he has to scramble after me.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” the woman behind the displays asks.

“I need two plain wedding bands, and I want to pay and be out the door in three minutes or less. Go. You,” I say, turning to Jonny. “Get sized.” I take out my phone and type 911 into the Broussard family chat.

There are almost immediately three dots.

Bree

What’s going on?

Mom

Honey?

Dad

What do you need?

I type Jonny’s name and add him to the group chat.

Jonny and I are getting married in T-32 minutes @ courthouse. Want you there.

Bree

WTAF?

Mom

LANCE STEPHEN BROUSSARD. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, I THOUGHT YOU WERE HURT.