Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 111732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Also, as I’ve told Max many times, the ring I wore at family camp while falling in love with him has sentimental value for me. Plus, it looks the same, basically, as the real thing, so why spend a huge sum on essentially the same exact thing, only with real diamonds, when we could invest that same amount in our new business? Max has repeatedly pushed back on my reasoning, but in the end, he agreed to let me keep wearing my fake ring alongside my new band.
“Max, repeat after me,” Wayne says after handing the sparkling band to Max. “This ring is a circle that never ends. As is my love. With this ring, I promise to become the best husband to you I can possibly be.” After Max repeats Wayne’s words with tears in his eyes, Wayne continues, “Every time you look down at this ring on your finger, please remember how much I love you and our family.”
Max repeats the rest, but before sliding the band onto my finger, he says, “Hold on.” With a wicked smile, he reaches into an inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out a second ring to go along with my new band—a jaw-dropping sparkler I instantly recognize as the jaw-dropping real engagement ring I selected for Fake Max to give Fake Marnie.
“Oh my god,” I blurt. “No, Max. It’s too much.”
“No, my love, it’s not even close to enough.” Max slides my wedding band onto my shaking hand first, followed by the Ferrari of a sparkler after it. And the minute I see both rings on my finger, I can’t deny it: there’s a difference—a massive one—between the costume diamonds I’ve been wearing for months now and the stunning ones practically blinding me now. I throw my arms around Max’s neck and thank him, and we embrace for a long moment.
“I’d never marry you with fake diamonds,” Max whispers into my hair. “Please.”
Wayne says, “Marnie? Ready to seal this marriage and kick off the party?”
I laugh. “Absolutely.”
I break free of my embrace with Max and do my side of the ring ceremony. After Max’s platinum band is firmly secured on his third finger, we kiss jubilantly to seal the deal.
Wayne bellows, “I now present to you: Mr. and Mrs. Maximillian and Marnie Vaughn!”
As the crowd cheers, Max takes my hand and deftly scoops Ripley up with his free arm. As a threesome, we bound down the center aisle, surrounded by cheers and applause, all of us feeling like we’re floating on air.
Max turns to me wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his handsome face. “I love you, Mrs. Vaughn!” he shouts. After I’ve returned his sentiment, he turns to Ripley. “Who’s your daddy?” Ripley giggles and pokes her daddy’s broad shoulder. “That’s right!” Max shouts exuberantly. “And don’t you ever forget it!” He returns to me. “We’re a family, baby. Forever. I love you both so much—and I promise I’ll never let either of you forget it.”
THE END