Phillip says, "So, this isn't really a love letter, but it's my lame attempt to tell you all the things I love about you. Remember I told you about the pros and cons list I made? I wrote it the night before I told you I wanted to go out with you for real."
"So I finally get to read it?"
Phillip nods and hands me the paper. "Yeah, providing you promise not to laugh at me."
I read the list. "Phillip, are you serious? You like all the bad things about me. All my flaws. Like how I always think I'm right, how I'm stubborn, how I blurt out stupid things before I think."
He pulls me into his arms. "Yeah, those are the things I love the most. I love you, Jadyn James Mackenzie."
"Oh, wow. That sounds beautiful when you say it."
Phillip grabs the present Danny and Lori sent with us and sets it on the bed. "We were given strict orders to open this as soon as we got here."
I ignore the box and put my hand down Phillip's pants. I'm not feeling the need to be particularly subtle right now.
Phillip moans, "Our XXX honeymoon."
"Well, if you're a good boy."
"I'm a very good boy."
"Yes, I already know exactly how good you are, but you know, it's our honeymoon, you're maybe gonna have to step it up a notch."
"I think I can handle that. So open the box."
I take the lid off, and we both go, "Holy shit!"
Because inside is, um, I don't even know if I want to know all that's inside this box. There are all sorts of XXX type goodies.
"No wonder the guys in airport security were laughing at us!" I scream.
"I think we're gonna have fun on our honeymoon," Phillip says. He's wearing his own version of a Devil Danny grin.
"I think our honeymoon is gonna be like naughty dream week on steroids."
Phillip paws through the box. "Hey, what's here at the bottom?"
I look at the sweet sign he's pulled out of the box. "I think that is Lori's contribution. Don't you love how she cutified our XXX honeymoon?"
Phillip tickles my sides. "Cutified? I'm pretty sure that's not a word."
"Well, it should be. It means she made it all cute."
"I think Lori just gave us the best marriage advice of all. Our marriage should be full of hugs and kisses with a lot of XXX thrown in to make it fun."
I put the hotel's do not disturb sign on the outside of our door because I don't want anyone to take Lori's, then I put the one she made on the inside. It's definitely coming home with us.
I walk back toward Phillip, shedding my clothes along the way.
"I think we better get this honeymoon started, Phillip."
"Mmmmm, Princess," he says as he grabs me and throws me on the bed. Our XXX honeymoon favors cascade onto the floor.
But I don't think I care about that right now.
Acknowledgements
To my readers, thank you. Thank you for all your kind words, great reviews for That Boy, tweets, and encouragement. If it weren't for you, this book would probably not exist. Know that I love talking to you. From chatting about who would play the movie version of Danny, to how adorable Phillip is. I'm very active on goodreads, twitter, and my blog. (Be sure to come hang out with us at Glitter, Bliss, and Perfect Chaos!) Also a big thank you to Jennifer Howell, from Late Bloomer Online. Thanks so much for pre-reading the book and letting me know I was on the right track!!
To my mom. Words cannot do justice all the help you've given me with this book. You've encouraged me, read countless versions, and always kept me true to the characters. I think you might know Jadyn better than I do. Thanks for making me change Jadyn's meltdown and Phillip's wedding gift. It is a much better story because of you.
To my daughter. Your taste in fashion mimics Jadyn's. Thanks for helping me pick out the perfect wedding dress. Thanks for rolling your eyes at me and saying, "She'd never wear that!" Also thanks for all the social media work you do for me. I'd be lost without you!
To my son. Who asks me every day how many books I've sold on the way to school and is always excited by my results. Even though I can't get you to put a big pink heart or a wedding cake on your go kart, I'm still your biggest fan.
To my husband. This book was dedicated to you because I love you. I could never write about love if I didn't feel it in my own heart. You and Phillip share so many wonderful characteristics. Thanks for pushing me to self-publish That Boy. I don't think I would have had the courage to do it on my own. You believed in me when I wasn't sure if I believed in myself.
To the WWBC. A special thanks to David N. Walker and Nigel Blackwell. Because of a few quick emails to them, Pastor John's role was expanded and made the story much better. Another big thanks to Tiffany A. White and Kristen Lamb for being my social media gurus. And to everyone else in the group, thanks for helping me grow as a writer.
And the BIGGEST THANK YOU of all, goes to Amy Borders. Amy is the owner of EventChic, a Dallas wedding and event planning company. (Did you notice the wedding planner in the book is named in her honor?) I met Amy just a few years ago, when she was crazy enough to help me decorate for the Dallas alumni's Chi Omega Christmas. Recently, I sent her a simple email. It was something like, Hey, wanna help me plan a wedding? You gotta love your sorority sisters, they are up for anything!! She jumped right in. My most favorite details for the wedding came from Amy. Like using the roses Jadyn saved from her parents' burial in the wedding. The hanging branch altar that inspired one of my favorite scenes in the book. (Phillip and Jadyn in the tree when they were in trouble.) Phillip's "ultimate profession of love" of four dozen flowers as some of the centerpieces. The wedding night bathroom scene from the dessert fairy - the desserts, flowers, and lots of candles. The wild Husker themed after party. I about laughed my ass off when she sent me a photo of the bleachers and lounge furniture with the caption that said, Can't you just picture someone passed out here? And who's that making out behind the bleachers? Naturally, I had to put that in the story. Much like Jadyn, when I went to her, I had some colors picked out, wanted romance, and had a dress in mind. She made the wedding personal, special, and real in my mind. If you need a wedding planner, you might wanna call her. (Sorry though, Amy. Although you did tell me no keg stands for the bride and groom, I knew Phillip's fraternity brothers would never allow that.) You can contact Amy on twitter @EventChicDallas or visit her website at www.eventchicdallas.com
About the Author
Jillian is the author of the book, That Boy. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She currently lives in Texas with her family. You can follow her website at www.jilliandodd.net and her blog, Glitter, Bliss, and Perfect Chaos at www.jilliandodd.wordpress.com