Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (books to read for teens .txt) 📗

giving me a glimpse of the glittering crystal sandals.

She locks eyes with me, and the world shifts. The trip takes an eternity and I force myself to stay planted. Dante finally stands next to me, and Poppy smiles shyly.

“You’re stunning,” I whisper the phrase used so many times since the night she walked out of the theatre.

“So are you.”

Irv clears his throat and starts speaking, but I barely hear a word, lost in her. Dante speaks up, giving her away, and I snap back to attention. She kisses his cheek and he and Ryanne move in front of us.

When it’s time for the vows and rings, I’m forced to turn to Dante while she hands Ryanne the bouquet and gets my ring. Dante doesn’t hand me the diamond ring I gave her. Instead, he places a circle of diamonds and rubies so brilliant it glimmers in the light.

“It was my grandmother’s,” Poppy whispers.

Rubies and diamonds. Representing each of their birth months.

My head snaps between her and Dante and his words from earlier sink in.

“… you’ll get the understanding that Poppy doesn’t need to be kept in the dark on anything. She’s all in on this.”

Her grandmother’s ring. Something Poppy treasures and would only wear on her finger if she knew it would always represent the same commitment and love meant for a lifetime.

My throat closes and I shut my eyes, breathing deep. She will never need my band as long as she has this. Suddenly, the impulse to get it on her intensifies.

“It’s perfect.” I take her hand in mine and jerk my head to Irv.

He continues, and the moment I repeat his vows, slipping the ring on her finger, she lets out a small cry. Ryanne does the same, and a rush of emotions jolt through me.

Poppy rasps her part, shaking when she slips my ring on.

I flash Irv a look that tells him we need to get this over with because I want my wife in my arms. He smiles in understanding, reciting the rest, and then finally says the words.

‘Husband and Wife.’

Tradition flies out of my head, and I lift her, crushing my mouth to hers. She giggles, gripping the back of my head and parting her lips. I kiss her until we’re fighting for breath and Irv is openly chuckling.

“Mine.”

“Ditto.”

I place her on her feet just enough to get my arm under her knees and swing her back up. Loud claps surround us, and I twist to Ryanne for Poppy to get her flowers. Lou Ann waves us back down the path to the door, snapping shots.

When we get inside the chapel, I lower my mouth back to hers. “Any chance I can march us to the waiting limo and disappear to our room?”

“Very tempting, but we only get one wedding night celebration.”

“Exactly, let’s not delay.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a man in a tuxedo rolling a cart loaded with iced champagne buckets, flutes, and a small cake to the outside.

“That’s for us. One reason this place is an exclusive spot in Vegas. They are full-service.”

“Remind me to thank Ryanne.”

She laughs, placing her hand over my heart, and tilts back to face me. “Evin, we’re married.”

“We are.”

“You already know this, but I need to say it. I love you.”

For the second time tonight, the world shifts as the impact of her words and the glimmer in her eyes pierce straight to my heart. “I love you, too.”

“That requires a celebration all in itself.”

I spin, taking us back. “We celebrate your way, then we do it mine.”

Chapter 16

Poppy

My eyes flit around rapidly, taking in the scenery. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to the east coast, and the moment we stepped outside the airline terminal, the smell of salt air and humidity struck me.

“I’m thinking take-out tonight. There’s not much at the house.”

“Let’s stop by the store and I’ll cook dinner,” I offer.

“Baby, the only reason to turn you down is our first night doesn’t include work.” He squeezes my hand on his thigh.

“I don’t mind and we’re still on west coast time. A simple pasta and salad isn’t work. Surely, you have a strainer and some bowls in that sparse kitchen.”

He glances my way and grins. “Yeah, I have those things.”

“Well, that’s a start.”

He brings my hand to his mouth and runs his lips across my rings. “We’ll go shopping.”

Evin explained his townhome is in a community near his family. It’s furnished top to bottom, courtesy of his mom and sister, but his kitchen is slim in supplies.

This excited me for a weird reason. It gives me an opportunity to buy things for us.

His phone rings and he groans when the name pops on his navigation screen, making no move to answer.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Nope, she thinks we’re in the air. She’ll leave a message.”

“Sweetie, let’s talk to her.”

He side-eyes me again and pushes a button on his steering wheel. “Hey, Mom.”

“Oh no, you’re answering, does that mean there’s a delay again?”

“No, we’re not delayed.”

“Where are you?”

“Hi, Mrs. Graham,” I pipe in.

Her abrupt silence turns my stomach. Maybe she wanted to talk to him privately.

“Mrs. Graham? Evin, have you been telling this woman I’m old? I’m not a Mrs. To family, I’m Annie. I knew this would happen! You and your sister are keeping her from me and now she thinks I’m an old bat!”

I gasp, horrified, and Evin blows out an annoyed breath. “No, old bat, she has manners.”

“Poppy, honey, are you there?”

“Yes,” I croak.

“Call me Annie. I appreciate your manners, but no matter what my children have said, I’m cool.”

“Jesus,” Evin grumbles.

I bite my lip and sink into the seat. “Hi, Annie.”

“That’s better. Where are y’all?”

“In transit across the country to get home.”

“You’re here,” she breathes excitedly, screaming, “Edward, they’re here!”

“I didn’t say that,” Evin counters.

“You didn’t have to. When you’re a parent, you know things. Now. It’s not too late, we can meet you at your—”

“No,” he cuts her off.

“Are you saying no to