“That’d probably be easier if you let the preacher do his thing,” Gavin said, and several people chuckled. Then he locked eyes with her. “Admittedly, I’m in a bit of a rush myself.”
Julie squeezed his hand tighter, conveying she agreed without speaking so they could do the damn thing already.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Kory and Tony. She hadn’t been in the best place when Kory admitted his feelings for his best friend, so once she’d renewed her faith in friendship and love, she’d given him a call and encouraged him to take a risk.
Now he and Tony were happily more-than-friends and planning a wedding of their own.
As for anyone else who was here at the wedding, looking for love—or perhaps just a kiss—clumps of mistletoe adorned the archway she and Gavin stood beneath, garnished the bouquets, and strands of the influential plant wound around the strings of white twinkle lights that lined the aisles and added a glow to the entire ceremony.
Julie soaked it in, so much happiness coursing through her she felt like she was glowing as well.
Gavin’s vows included promises of never stealing her plastic shovel, always making time for her, and vowing to let her talk for however long she wanted as she showed him disturbing work pictures. And of course that whole loving her forever thing that caused her heart to expand.
Hers included not ruining his sandcastles, always being on the sidelines for him, never forcing him into an elf costume—but no promises regarding a Santa one—and that no matter what, they’d find a way to spend each and every Christmas together. Plus the loving and cherishing thing, which she’d done for so long it was second nature.
They exchanged rings—Gavin’s other hunk of glittery jewelry winked in the sunlight as he slid the diamond band onto Julie’s ring finger. The guys didn’t often wear their Super Bowl “World Champions” around, but today, they were all blinged out, proudly showing off a symbol of their hard work and success.
“You may now kiss the bride,” Preacher Abbott said, and she and Gavin both glanced up at the king of all clusters of mistletoe dangling over their heads. They giggled, and then Gavin cupped the back of her neck and pulled her in for a heated kiss.
The cheers from the crowd reminded her of that day, just shy of a year ago, in the locker room, when everything in her life had fully clicked into place.
They strode down the aisle hand and hand, and after a quick glance to ensure no one else would hear her, Julie lifted onto her toes, moved her mouth next to Gavin’s ear, and whispered, “So, I was thinking that tonight, once we’re all alone…”
Gavin’s pupils dilated, and the arm he slid around her waist secured her flush against him. “Uh-huh?”
“That perhaps…” Julie batted her eyes and stuck her lips out in a slight pout. “My smoking-hot husband could do me nice and hard.”
One corner of his mouth kicked up, and his voice came out gruff as he dragged his scruffy chin across her cheek and sank his teeth into the shell of her ear. “Why, Mrs. Frost, I thought you’d never ask.”
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to Jenelle Coon for having an awesome assistant pathology job where you get to dissect cool stuff, for answering my questions, sending pictures, and being a smart and amazing sister-in-law. Since this book involves football, I have to say thank you to my parents and grandparents for making me a born and raised Broncos fan. I learned to yell at the TV from a very young age. Still haven’t quite learned how to get the players, coaches, and refs to listen, though… LOL
With every book, the people who always sacrifice and support me the most are the members of my family. To my husband and my kids, thank you for being so supportive, even if I switch books and plotlines partway through conversations without telling you. My cheerleading squad is the best in the entire world, and I love you.
To my wifeys, Gina L. Maxwell and Rebecca Yarros, thank you for always being there to talk plotlines and answer editing questions and to make me laugh when I need it most. I don’t even have words for how grateful I am to have you both in my life. All I know is I never would’ve made it through this past year without you.
Thanks to the entire staff at Entangled Publishing. To my editor, Stacy Abrams, who has edited book after book after book with me. Some of our longest comment threads have been about football, so it was only fitting that we do a football series together. To Liz Pelletier for supporting me and being a champion for my books—thank you for believing in me. Big thanks to my marketing and publicity team, to Bree Archer for a cover that blew me away with its perfect cuteness, Katie Clapsadl, Jessica Turner, the formatters, and everyone else on the Entangled team who helps my book get into readers’ hands.
Shout out to my agent of awesomeness, Nicole Resciniti. You’re a rock star, and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for my career. Xoxo. Huge hugs to Miranda Grissom for bringing organization to my chaos.
To all the reviewers for reading and spreading the word, I appreciate all you do. Special thanks to Nita Banks for help with this book. You’ll have to thank your parents for me, for providing amazing character inspiration and being a great example of #CoupleGoals with their matching outfits. Not to mention the random FB messages you answered as I was writing, and for giving it a read through to help me add diversity to my books, in a way that I hope does the characters justice. I owe you a big hug once we get to travel & do the hugging thing again.
Thanks to my readers for supporting my books, sending me messages, and being willing to go along for the ride with my stories. You help make dreams come true.
About the Author
Cindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, & an adorable one-eyed kitty named Agent Fury.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
Find her on Facebook at Cindi Madsen Books,
Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen.
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