Home > Forever Oblivion (Oblivion #4)(4)

Forever Oblivion (Oblivion #4)(4)
Author: Alexa Padgett

“It also sparkles because you light up my life, and I want everyone to know just how much. My band doesn’t sparkle, but it matches yours. It’s a little thicker, smooth and perfect—like our love. I was hoping you might want to wear this one now and get the other one soon. Because I’d really like to proclaim to the world that you’re my love. My only love.”

My nerves bloomed as her face shifted and her hands shook around mine. I’d assumed she wanted this. I’d thought she was as ready as I was.

My voice caught in my throat, and I barely managed to push out, “Do you…do you think that might be something you’d like to do?”

Her big, wide eyes returned to my face. The look there settled me. My heart no longer felt as if it was on a frantic gallop through my lungs.

“Canon in D” flitted through my head. Oh, yes, we’d have to have Aya walk down the aisle to that classic. She’d make the instrumental come alive.

“Yes, Nash,” she said, her voice stronger than mine had been. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” She practically bounced in her chair. “This has been my greatest fantasy since I was five. Definitely since I was a teenager.”

I slid the ring onto her finger. “I’m going to make all your fantasies come true, love. Every last one of them.”

I shuffled closer and placed my hand on the back of her neck. With care, I let my lips drift over hers, a soft, sensual glide, just as I hoped we’d always be on. This kiss was special because it bound her to me permanently. Figuratively, at least.

We’d been tested by capricious fates, my stupidity, and her insecurities. We’d fought back the world and our own demons. We’d found our place and our peace—it was together. That’s where we were strongest and most able to fend off whatever the world threw at us. I knew our relationship wouldn’t always be easy. The demands on our time were too great for a simple, uncomplicated life.

But we would make the commitment to each other, make it integral, forcing everything to spiral outward from that. It would give us the foundation we’d need to weather those storms, and to find comfort, connection, and caring in each other. Songs burst through my mind, an array of new melodies I’d play sometime.

Not now. Now, I’d enjoy kissing my bride-to-be and beginning the life I’d once been too afraid to even hope for.

 

 

4

 

 

Aya

 

 

Somehow, Nash continued to astound me. I stared down at the ring he slid on my finger, which was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. It was beautiful, of course, though rather big—definitely not understated. But because he’d given it to me, I loved it and everything it represented.

When I’d run, scared and heartbroken, Nash had taken me back. When he’d lashed out, I’d soothed him. We’d hurt each other, cut so deeply we’d always have those scars. Yet somehow, we kept coming home. My home was Nash, just as his was me.

“Never again will I let anyone step between us,” I said, my lips touching his.

His smile curved upward. “I like that. I think we should make it an unbreakable vow.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “We’re not in Harry Potter.”

“What’s that?” He rose slowly to his feet, almost as if he couldn’t bear to be parted even that much from me.

“If you fail to keep your unbreakable vow, you die.”

Nash pondered this. “Seems fair.”

I giggled. “You do surprise me.”

He winked as he tugged his seat closer before settling into it. “Good. Gotta keep you on your toes. That’s the spice of life.”

A waiter materialized at Nash’s side. “May I start your first course, sir?”

Nash raised his eyebrows, silently asking me. My stomach growled, but I was too happy to be embarrassed.

“Yes, please,” he said, lips quirking.

I loved how much Nash smiled these days. I loved the light finally filtering into his eyes. He was happy.

“Hugh wants to start booking the next tour.”

“Oh?” I sipped my water, noticing how the candlelight caught my engagement ring. I was engaged. To Nash Porter.

“But I don’t want to go anywhere until we’re married.”

I frowned a little. “When does Hugh want to start the tour?”

Nash hesitated. “In about a year. I want to give you the wedding you’ve always wanted, Ay. No holds barred. This is your day.”

I slid my hand over his. Nash immediately began to play with my ring. I could tell this would be a habit of his, probably to reassure himself he’d put his mark on me. If only he knew how deeply embedded in my soul he already was.

“Our wedding will be our day, and as long as I have a pretty dress, our friends, and you, the rest is flotsam.”

“Flotsam, eh?”

I squeezed his hand but released it when the waiter reappeared. “You’re what matters, Nash. You, me, us, together.”

I smiled my thanks as the waiter settled a plate in front of me.

Nash nodded, thanking him as well, and waited for him to leave before he told me to eat.

I cut into the crispy white fish, already salivating. Delicious flavors burst across my tongue, and I closed my eyes to savor them.

“You’re sexy as all get out when you eat, Ay. This meal is going to be torture in the best possible way.”

I smiled as I lifted another bite to my lips.

“Question,” Nash said when he finished chewing his bite.

“Hit me,” I replied, using his term. I didn’t know how many courses we’d have, but I was too hungry and the cuisine too delightful for me to slow down.

“Would you be cool if we had the wedding at Cam’s ranch? His spread is bigger than my couple of acres, and I think we could eliminate a lot of press if we held it there since the paps are used to Cam having celebrities come and go.”

I settled back, my hands on my stomach as I pondered his request. “I like that idea.” I nodded. “Yeah, I really like it. Do you think Cam and Jenna would mind hosting?”

Nash settled his silverware next to his empty plate. “I’ve already talked to them. I’d like them to be in the wedding party.” He hesitated. “And your dad.”

My mouth dried. I fumbled my glass and gulped down about half the contents. “My father?”

“Yes. It’s traditional to get the father’s blessing.”

He fidgeted a little, but I understood. So many of those traditions had been stripped from his life, and he craved them, just as I’d been desperate for roots, a true home.

“Let me guess. He didn’t give it to you.”

“He did.”

I gawped. He gently closed my mouth.

“I was surprised, too. But he said if I made you happy, he wasn’t going to stand in the way.”

“That’s…” I shook my head. A thought occurred to me. “How much money did you give him?”

Nash appeared sheepish. “Too much, but definitely not enough to make him be a decent person.”

“You’re right. Maybe he realized he’s been a terrible father.”

Nash turned thoughtful. “Maybe. I mean, I worked things out with Steve, so I can’t say never—even in your dad’s case. But that doesn’t mean I like him.”

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