"I knew everything was fine." She looked at my mother who asked the same question with her expression.

  "Really. Guys. Last night wasn't about Jackson and me. We are perfect. In fact, Jackson showed me my Christmas present," I said with a huge grin.

  "Oh, yeah." Kayla's eyes sparkled.

  "An eight-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals and a two-acre plot of land in Paradise Valley."

  My mom blinked.

  "Holy shit," Kayla said. She covered her mouth. "I'm sorry."

  "That's what I said." I laughed and took a sip of my champagne.

  "Wow! James,"—Mrs. Mitchell walked over to her husband—"did you know about this?"

  He looked at me and back at his wife and shrugged.

  "Jackson's new contract?" she asked.

  "It's not public yet," I yelled to save Mr. Mitchell. "They're not announcing it until next week."

  "You guys are building a house?" Mom asked as she blinked back tears.

  "What house?" Jack asked, running back over to me.

  I narrowed my eyes at Mom.

  "Nothing. We were just thinking about where we are going to live when Jackson and I get married."

  "Oh. That's not for a while. I don't want to change schools." His earlier concern from my disappearance, gone.

  "Yeah, we don't have to worry about it now." I gave him a reassuring hug, and he went back to watching the pregame.

  Chapter 13

  "Carrington," Jackson whispered in my ear—the best alarm clock ever. He cupped my cheek and kissed me. "Wake up."

  I opened my eyes, and his shaggy hair fell in my face. I closed them and relished the feel of him next to me. He kissed my cheek and started to descend.

  Jackson went home last night. We couldn't sleep together with my parents upstairs, at least not until we're married.

  "Seriously, guys. No one wants to see that at eight am." Kayla had collapsed in bed with me last night.

  I squealed.

  I reached up and kissed Jackson.

  "We have to go?" I asked.

  "Yep." He winked and looked over at Kayla. I shook my head. I hadn't told Kayla. I hadn't told anyone.

  "Come on. Get dress."

  I pushed him and the covers off and bounded into the bathroom. Jackson followed; I stopped him at the door.

  "No. If you come in here, we won't get out of here." I squeezed his chest and bit my lip.

  Jackson groaned and tried to coax me with his mouth, which almost worked.

  "We have to be there at nine," I said against his lips.

  "Right." He gave me one more peck and headed in the other direction. He stopped to jump on the bed, and Kayla groaned.

  I swear we were like children.

  The Cardinals won the game. We had a week to relax before the playoffs had everyone back on edge again.

  Jackson performed so well, he didn't even play the fourth quarter. They won thirty-eight to twelve. I was so proud of him.

  I jumped in the shower and jumped back out in record time. When I entered the kitchen, Jackson and Jack were sitting at the kitchen counter looking at highlights on Jack's iPad.

  "That throw was so on the money," Jack said.

  "On the money, really?" I narrowed my eyes at my son and his new vernacular. He was growing up way too fast.

  "Come on, Mom." Jack turned the iPad to show me. "That's awesome."

  "Awesome." I smiled and winked. "Did you have breakfast?"

  "Grandma is making me French toast as soon as she gets back."

  "Where is she?" I asked.

  "Walking," Jack said as if it was the craziest thing in the world.

  "Okay." I kissed his little forehead and grabbed two apples off the counter. "Eat this? Did you eat?" I turned to Jackson. He shook his head. I threw the apple at him. He caught it.

  "Nice throw, Mom," Jack said.

  "Yeah, I've pick up a few skills over the years," I said and grinned.

  "Hey, buddy." Jackson tousled Jack's hair. "Mom and I need to run some errands. We'll be back soon."

  "I know where you're going," Jack said with an evil giggle.

  We both stopped in our tracks.

  "You're going to pick up my Christmas present." He turned to Jackson. "You got my second list, right?"

  "Yeah, I got it," Jackson said.

  I grabbed Jackson's hand, and we headed out to the car.

  "Doesn't he have a rich grandfather or something? Why do I get the mile-long list," Jackson said.

  "Hey, he told me just to get him a gift card to cover it all."

  "He's working all of us." Jackson smirked.

  "Yep. I told you since that camping trip from the billionaire section of the REI catalog, he's been so materialistic."

  "I'm sure the private jet and a week-long trip to Mr. Griffin's house will straighten him right up." Jackson pulled away from the curb. "I would suggest you go with him, but now, I like the idea of having my wife all to myself for a week."

  "Yeah, just me and the Cardinal's Organization." I reached up and rubbed his neck. "What a great honeymoon."

  "I'll make it up to you." Jackson handed me his phone. "Call Richard, first."

  I scrolled to find Richard's name and tapped call. It rang twice before he answered.

  "You calling to gloat?" Richard asked. He and Jackson were teammates in college, and they remained good friends.

  Richard played for the San Francisco Forty-niners. They didn't make the play-offs.

  "No, but you owe me a dollar," Jackson said.

  "I'll mail it to you," Richard said.

  "Hey, Richard," I said.

  "Well, this call just got better. Hello, Carrington. How are you, beautiful?" he asked.

  "I'm good." I looked over at Jackson.

  "You two want me to leave you alone," Jackson said; we didn't discuss Richard's crush on me and our one and only date back in college.

  "Yeah, could you," Richard said.

  "Will you two cut it out and ask him already," I said.

  "What are you doing tomorrow?" Jackson asked.

  "Opening presents, turkey dinner—you know, the usual."

  "So what do you think about flying in and spending Christmas dinner with us?" Jackson took the phone.

  "Wow, dude, way to wait until the last minute."

  "Yeah, sorry about that, but we decided to get married tomorrow night and since you’re the best man …" Jackson shrugged, and the line was silent.

  "Janine is going to kill you," Richard said. His wife wouldn't be too keen on him leaving on Christmas Day.

  "Tell her it's my fault," I chimed in. "I'm sorry, but we have to do it tomorrow."

  "You pregnant?" Richard asked.

  "No." I huffed.

  Jackson cracked up.

  "Okay, just asking." Richard sighed. "Okay. I'll be there."

  "Get in by two o'clock," I said. "Meet us at the Biltmore at three o'clock."

  "I don't even get a home-cooked meal out of the deal?" Richard asked.

  "We are cooking it, but we have too many people to fit in either of our homes," I answered.

  "Okay. I'll be there." Richard said. "Oh, and congrats, you two. I'm happy for you."

  "Thanks, man."

  Richard hung up.

  Jackson's face was hard to read.

  "Call Michael," he said.

  Michael answered on the first ring.

  "Home field advantage, check. First-round bye, check. Super Bowl?" Michael was Jackson's agent, and they had become close over the last four years.

  "You feel like coming to a wedding first?" Jackson asked.

  "Man, you played so well last night I ..." Michael's mouth tended to work faster than his brain. "Did you say wedding?"

  "Yep, tomorrow afternoon around three o'clock at the Biltmore. Can you make it?" Jackson stared at the phone.

  "Jackson—"

  "Hey, Michael." I interrupted.

  "Carrington," Michael said with a nervous laugh. "Good to hear your voice. How are you?"

  Jackson and I both laughed.

  Michael was a great agent, but he's always talking to Jackson about avoiding distractions. I had been Jackson's biggest distraction.

  "So you're getting married in the bye week," Michael said.

  "That's the plan." Jackson turned into the Phoenix Municipal Building. We spotted Branden standing near the entrance looking over paperwork and talking on his cell phone. As Jackson's personal assistant, he was always looking over paperwork and talking on his cell phone.

  "Michael, I promise, a small ceremony, no distractions, and I won't bother him for the rest of the bye week. Please say you can come." Michael had to come. Jackson wanted him there.

  "Okay, I'm on my way," Michael said.

  "Hey, thanks, man, and listen, when you get here, you're just coming to dinner. Our families don't know yet."

  "Okay, sounds good." Michael's voice grew animated. "Let's do this. Let's get married."

  "See you tomorrow," Jackson said.

  I hung up the phone and smiled. I unbuckled my seat belt and stretched over the console to kiss Jackson. I was so happy. The plan was coming together beautifully.

  We got the marriage license with no issues. We walked back to the car, arms swinging. I stared over my shoulder and Branden winked. He was happy for us.

  We confirmed last-minute plans for the next day and headed back home. When we got to the highway, instead of going south, Jackson merged going north.

  "Where are we going?"

  "One more stop," he said. We drove for another few minutes and exited in Scottsdale. We pulled up in front of the valet at Tiffany. I instantly grew nervous. Pulling up to a mall in Phoenix on Christmas Eve after the game Jackson had last night. We would get mobbed in minutes. I checked my watch. It was ten am.

  "Jackson, you sure this is a good idea?" I scanned the area for any signs of a crowd.

  "It'll be okay." Jackson stepped out. "Hey, man. If you could leave it close by with the keys in it in case we need to make a quick exit, I would appreciate it."

  The two kids attending the valet stand looked up from their cell phones, stunned.

  "Dude, yeah," one of them said.

  "Anything for you, Jackson."

  Jackson winked and motioned me to follow him.

  "Let's make this quick before their buddies arrive."

  I looked back and found both kids texting frantically.

  The manager, a short, stocky guy in a tailored black suit and silver tie, greeted us at the door. Branden had called ahead, and they were expecting us.

  "Welcome. My name is Alex Peter," Mr. Peter said. "Right this way."

  He escorted us to a little private room off the side of the massive three-story store. We sat in the two chairs across from the imposing black wooden desk with a velvet inlay. Fifteen platinum wedding bands sat in a sparkly row.

  "I understand this is quick, so these are what we have in stock," Mr. Peter said as he sat behind the desk and put on a pair of white gloves. "The first six are platinum and the rest are white gold."

  I picked up the plain, platinum, six mm band and showed it to Jackson.

  "This looks like you."

  "Yeah, I like it."

  I set it aside.

  Jackson reached for the four mm band with a channel of diamonds around the middle. It was perfect. I took it and tried it on my right hand. The first time it slid on my left hand, I wanted it to stay forever.

  "It's beautiful." I looked up at Jackson, and his face was emotional. We kissed, not caring about embarrassing Mr. Peter.

  "Well, that was easy." He interrupted.

  Mr. Peter took both rings and cleaned them. He placed them in a box and stood up.

  "Hey," Jackson said, and Mr. Peter stopped. "What about Jack?"

  I picked up the three mm band and studied it.

  "I don't know. A platinum band for a seven-year-old?"

  "You can put it on a chain," Mr. Peter suggested.

  "Just for the ceremony and then we'll keep it for him until it fits," Jackson said.

  "Okay." I handed the ring to Mr. Peter. "He's going to be impossible to live with for the next—"

  "Ten years," Jackson said, and we both laughed. "I'm actually looking forward to it."

  Chapter 14

  The only other people we told about the wedding were James and Anna. We had to. Last year, James had officiated his best friend’s wedding. When Jackson asked him after the game on Sunday night, he agreed in seconds.

  I worried it would be hard on Anna. I called her Christmas morning.

  "Hey, Anna."

  "Good morning," she sang. "How are you on your big day?"

  "I'm good," I whispered. "Anna, I just wanted to call and say how happy I am that you'll be there today. I don't have many friends in Phoenix besides work people. I just wanted to say thank you. I know it's not easy."

  Anna laughed.

  "You know, when James told me, I was happy for you even if a little sad. But as of midnight, I'm ecstatic," she screamed through the phone.

  "What?"

  "He proposed."

  I screamed.

  "I know."

  "How'd he do it?" I asked.

  "He woke me up at midnight and said he wanted his gift first thing. I had no idea what he was talking about. I'm like we already had sex, let me sleep."

  I laughed.

  "Then he looked down between us and it was sitting in a little black box with a red bow." She was giddy. "I tore open the box so fast, the ring flew up in the air, and he caught it. It was hilarious. He asked me, and I said yes."

  "That's so sweet. I'm so happy for you." I was giddy myself. "We have two reasons to celebrate this afternoon.”

  "Oh, sweetie, no. I don't want to take anything away from your day."

  "Are you kidding?" I asked. "We've been waiting a long time for this engagement. We are celebrating. I'll see you at dinner."

  I grabbed my robe and went out to the living room to greet everyone.

  "Merry Christmas everyone," I said.

  "Momma." Jack ran to me. I grunted when he slammed into me and hugged me tight. "Merry Christmas."

  The kitchen had food covering every inch as my mom finished breakfast and the last few items for dinner.

  "Can we open presents now?" Jack asked.

  "One minute, buddy," Jackson said as he waded his way through the people. He grabbed my face and gave me a Christmas kiss.

  "Happy wedding day," Jackson whispered in my ear. I grabbed onto him to keep from falling. I couldn't believe the day was finally here. Jackson stared into my eyes and grinned. I laid a quick peck on his lips and winked. He turned back to Jack.

  "Now, we can open gifts," Jack said with his hands outstretched.

  We both nodded.

  Jackson and his family left for the hotel first. We were all going to change and dress up for dinner.

  Mr. Griffin called to say his plane would land at two, and he would meet us at the hotel.

  "Hey, this is so cool." Kayla held up my dress. "When did you get this?"

  It was a white satin Halston dress with a V-neck and full skirt that stopped just above my knee. The dress was flirty and flowed, but not too formal to look out of place. Although, it was white.

  "A month ago. At a boutique in New York." I touched the silky fabric. "I thought it would make a great getaway dress, but I feel like wearing it today."

  I looked up at Kayla.

  "Carrington Olivia Butler. What are you up to?" she asked.

  "Nothing," I said and bit my lip.

  "What don't I know?" She grabbed me by the arms and shook me. I cackled but didn't say a word.

  We continued to dress without speaking, but Kayla kept her eye on me. She knew something was up. I wanted to tell her, but she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret until dinner. It was imperative that we did because both of our mothers would talk us out of it. They had their hearts set on a big wedding, and today’s ceremony didn't rule it out, but right now, it was more important for Jackson and me to do this on our own terms.

  My dad drove us in the truck to the hotel. I couldn't drive. I was too nervous. I had enough trouble wrangling Jack into a jacket. If it were up to him, we would be in pajamas all day. I had to promise him that when we were in our own house, he could do PJs all Christmas week for all I cared.

  Jackson hired one of the team’s photographers to capture our family gathering. He had no clue it was for a wedding, which was fine. I wanted everything to be spontaneous.

  When we walked into the hotel, we went out back to the pool area where a covered cabana was set up with a beautifully laid out table set for twenty-two people.

  When I entered, Jackson, Richard, Michael, and James were huddled in the far corner. I inspected the table closer. Branden had arrived earlier and set out the seating cards according to plan. I felt Jackson's gaze on me, but I didn't look. If I did, I would give it away.

  Everyone looked so happy to be there; my weird, mismatched family, and now, for better or worse.

  "Ms. Butler." The host in charge of our party touched my shoulder. "Mr. Mitchell explained there would be a short delay for dinner. Okay for me to announce for everyone to take their seats?"

  "Yes, thank you."

  I smiled. It would be the last time someone called me Ms. Butler. I turned and found Jackson staring. I winked and he winked back. We were really going to do this.

  The wait staff had poured a glass of champagne at each seat, sparkling cider for the kids. The host clinked a knife to the side of a wine flute to get everyone's attention.

  "Good afternoon everyone. Merry Christmas," he said.

  "Merry Christmas," everyone said in unison.

  "If you would take your seat, dinner will be served shortly." He bowed his head and exited the room.

  I nodded at James and Anna. James sat opposite us. Everything about our wedding was a little unconventional. We remained standing while everyone else settled in.

  "If you guys will indulge us for a few moments, we want to thank all of you for coming," Jackson said.

  I looked around the room at everyone I loved, some I grew to love, and some who wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to give them a chance. We had all come so far.

  "We thought it would be a great time to let y'all know how grateful we are to be surrounded by so many great people."