Page 19 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“So, Jenny, let’s pick up where we left off. You’re a half mile from all your deserted guests and a confused groom. What happens next?”

She looks at Pete and he nods for her to continue. It’s the cutest exchange and tells me how much they really do love and support one another. I’m trying to think of the last time Will looked at me like that.

“My groom came over and sat next to me in the wet sand, letting the water rise up under us, getting his suit completely soaked. He said that if I wanted to take a swim, we could’ve had a scuba wedding.”

Blake does the symbol-drum combo sound effect and I giggle.

“I couldn’t stop laughing,” Jenny confesses, “and I remembered the entire reason I was with him in the first place and a calmness overcame me.”

“Everybody, Jenny’s husband, Pete, is here with us now. Say hello, Pete.”

He leans in toward the microphone and says hello.

“So, Pete, were you the groom?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Yes, Kenzie, I was.” He smiles.

I clap and Blake hits the clapping sound effect.

“And then you just went and got married soaking wet?” I ask.

“No,” Jenny says. “Pete stood up, took my hand, and we walked the opposite way of our guests. We walked and talked and gently eased all of my anxious thoughts out of me. By the time we were far away from everyone, I remembered why I was marrying him.”

“Did he say anything that stuck with you?” I ask.

“Pete said he saw the fear on my face when I was walking down the aisle, and at first, it scared him, but deep down, he’s always known I was his other half. And he trusted our love to win in the end.” Tears fall from her eyes and Pete wraps his arm around her shoulders.

“Did you get married there?”

They shake their heads.

“We got married back home, where everyone in our town supported us. They threw the whole thing together in a few weeks,” Pete answers since Jenny is still wiping away tears.

“I love these stories. Sometimes, guys, you find the love of your life when you’re young. Other times, when you’re in the last years of your life. Never stop looking because it’s always out there for you to find. Until next week, look for those signs, listeners. You never know where they may lead.” I click off and thank Jenny and Pete. “Thank you for coming in and make sure you send us pictures of that little bundle when he or she is born.”

I hug Jenny and Pete, then Blake comes in, leaving the door to his booth open, and hugs both as well. He says he’ll walk them to the elevator, so I get to work on packing up my stuff, pushing out my chair and leaning forward to grab my laptop bag from under the table. We don’t own the recording booth—we rent the space to produce our show—so I’m not surprised when someone knocks on the door behind me. But when I raise my head, I hit it on the desk, falling out of my chair onto the floor.

“Shit, are you okay?”

I stare in the direction of the voice in a haze and I’d swear it’s Lance’s face hovering over me. I must be seeing things.

Seven

Kenzie

“Kenzie, are you okay?” Lance helps me up off the floor. Once I’m standing in front of him, he places his hands on my head, examining me with intensity.

I nod a few times and blink. “What are you doing here?”

“I think I should ask the same thing.” Blake’s voice comes from the other side of the room.

“Let me help you up.” Lance takes my arm and helps me into the chair.

“I’m fine, really.” I blow out a breath and make eye contact with Blake.

Lance steps away from me. “I came in and she hit her head on the desk and fell off the chair. I’m Lance, by the way.” He holds out his hand between him and Blake.

“Blake,” he says, taking Lance’s hand.

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