My Unexpected Love (Beaumont: Next Generation 2) - Page 65

Peyton grins. “I’ve already said yes. You don’t have to ask me again.”

I inch closer and rest my hand on her hip. “I wasn’t finished with my question. Peyton, will you marry me on Christmas day in front of our friends and family in the same church where my parents were married?” I leave out the part where we mourned her father so many years ago.

“Noah?”

“It’s a Tuesday, Peyton. I know this is what you want. I see your face light up each time you’re looking through your winter section. And as it turns out, we’ll have a bye the following weekend so we can go away for a few days. Our honeymoon won’t be much, but we’ll be together.”

Peyton launches herself forward and presses her lips to mine. “Are you sure, Noah?”

“Without a doubt, Peyton. I just want to marry you and if you want a Christmas wedding, we’ll make it happen.”

“I love you so much,” she says against my lips. “You have no idea.”

“I think I do,” I tell her as I pull her closer. As much as I want to make love to her, we can’t. I won’t disrespect her parents in their home. Instead, we make out like teenagers, pausing only to talk about wedding plans.

“Are you going to ask your dad or Quinn to be your best man?”

Her question gives me pause. For months, I’ve battled this question in my mind. Both men, for different reasons, are my best friends and it’s hard to quantify which one will mean more to me. I’m not sure either of them expects me to ask them, so it will be a surprise when I finally do.

“I don’t know. I’m struggling with it.”

Peyton sets her hand on my chest and her head on my shoulder. “Whoever you decide, will be the right choice.”

“I guess I better do it soon, huh?” I feel her smile against my chest.

“Yeah, because Christmas is coming faster than we think.”

“Maybe Santa should marry us.”

Peyton slaps my bare skin; however, she’s laughing which makes the bed shake. “Absolutely not, Noah Westbury… unless we can have the elves as ushers.”

I know she’s joking, but I tell her that yes, we can have elves at our wedding.

* * *

A Beaumont Wedding comes out this holiday season!

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to those who helped with this story: Amy & Amber thank you for pre-reading and providing feedback. Thank you, Sarah, for another amazing cover. And Ellie: thank you for dropping everything to editing. Ena & Amanda, thank you! I really appreciate all your help. Drue & Debra, you’ve changed so much for me in the past year, thank you!

Yvette, I don’t know how many times I can tell you thank you, but thank you! Your hard work never goes unnoticed.

To my street team, thank you for making sure my teasers are everywhere.

Ashley, you may be my sister, but having you help me on a daily basis has been a blessing. Thank you!

To all the readers, writing Elle wasn’t easy. The road to redemption is a hard one, and I hope I’ve done her justice.

About Heidi McLaughlin

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.

Tags: Heidi McLaughlin Beaumont: Next Generation Romance
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